from harness publicists around North America

Thursday’s Racing Roundup features stories from Dover Downs and Rosecroft Raceway.

Versado a speedy winner at Dover

Dover, DE — Versado took the lead from Stolen Car on the backstretch and pulled away for a 1:49.3 victory in the $35,000 Open Preferred Handicap pace on Thursday, Dec. 20 at Dover Downs, while Mustang Art reversed tactics from last week to annex the $30,000 Delaware Special, in 1:50.3, winning co-featured race at Dover Downs.

Dover Downs

Versado (6) was able to hold-off Cam B Zipper at Dover

Matt Kakaley was called upon by trainer Nick Surick to pilot the razor-sharp Versado and the Dragon Again–Beach Jenny 5-year-old gelding answered with his fourth win in his last five outings for KDM Stables. Cam B Zipper closed strongly for Corey Callahan to finish second with Woodstock Hanover in his first local appearance finishing third for Ross Wolfenden.

Versado, trained by Nick Surick, won for 15th time this year and now has banked $260,460 in 2012 and $768,698, lifetime.

One race later, after a wire-to-wire triumph last Thursday Ron Pierce turned patient behind Mustang Art this week, waiting until heading to the three-quarters before making his winning move. The altered son of Artiscape–Paula Seelster then circled horses on the way to his 10th victory this season. Max Walton and Greg Papaleo own Mustang Art, who now has earned $158,445 of his career total $252,042 this campaign,

The traditional Christmas Holiday Week Break begins Dec. 21 and will continue through Dec. 28. When racing resumes on Saturday, Dec. 29, post time will be at 5:30 p.m., eastern. On Monday through Thursday starting time will be at 4:30 p.m. There will be no racing on Fridays and in January Saturday and Sunday post time will move to 1:30 p.m.

Rosecroft Racceway
On a night that seemingly only a duck could like driver Justin Vincent recorded four winning drives at Rosecroft Raceway. Vincent visited the winner’s circle after the third race, when he scored a popular win aboard Boots Place in a night’s-fastest 1:55.3. This was the first win of the year for the shipper trained by Michael Temming for owner Bernard R. Segebade. That winner re-tied Temming in the race for leading trainer, with 18 wins, each, with John Wagner. Wagner will send out six starters on Saturday night and Temming five, so it will most likely come down to the final races to determine the leading trainer at Rosecroft.