from Harness Publicists across North America

Friday’s (Nov. 27) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Yonkers Raceway, Plainridge Racecourse, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway and Batavia Downs.

Victor’s Vicky repeats at Yonkers

Yonkers, NY — Victor’s Vicky (Jordan Stratton, four winners on the card) employed the same first-over Yonkers Raceway MO as a week ago, winning Friday night’s co-featured $36,000 Open Handicap Trot.

Mike Lizzi photo

Jordan Stratton drove Victor’s Vicky to a 1:58.1 triumph.

Victor’s Vicky sat chilly from post position No. 2 as Winnin’ Image (Greg Grismore) lined up 19-10 favorite Batalj Launcher (Jason Bartlett) and the other six rivals through a :29.1 opening quarter-mile and :59.4 intermission. Victor’s Vicky then moved from fourth, going up and over the leader before the 1:28.2 three-quarters.

Victor’s Vicky had a couple of lengths to play with entering the lane, then won by a length in 1:58.1, matching her mile of a week ago. Merited Victory (George Brennan) could not match strides with the winner and misbehaved mid-stretch. Beach Nut Brand (Jeff Gregory) closed to grab second, with Ulay Boko (Jim Meittinis) getting the bottom of the ticket and Winnin’ Image and Bet To Win (Daniel Dube) settling for the small change.

Victor’s Vicky, a 6-year-old daughter of Valley Victor trained by Richard Johnson for Fabulous Farms, returned $8.20 (second choice) for her seventh win in 21 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $47.80, with the triple returning $513.

The weekly $36,000 distaff derby — an open draw this time around — saw Nidya A (Brennan) time it just right.

Outdrawing her six (after one defection) rivals, she sat pocketed to Hannah Isabel (Patrick Lachance) as that one led through intervals of :28 and :58.2. However, 3-2 favorite Ramona Disomma (Grismore) went up and over Hannah Isabel before the 1:26 three-quarters.

Ramona Disomma owned a three length advantage turning for home, before Nidya A slipped out to take up the chase. She did get there, winning by a half-length in 1:55.4. Hally (Stratton), Hannah Isabel and Leanback Coco (Ryan Anderson) completed the cashers.

Nidya A, an 8-year-old Down Under Albert Albert miss trained by Peter Tritton for co-owners Paul McDougall and WJ McDougall Racing, returned $14 (fourth choice) for her seventh win in 37 seasonal stars. The exacta paid $72, with the triple returning $729.

— Frank Drucker

Irvine wins three at Plainridge

Plainville, MA — Over another rainy day, driven by the wind, Plainridge Racecourse had some excitement going on Friday, because not only did Brad Irvine win three races over the off track, but after being 11 wins down to the leader Jim Hardy in the trainer standings five weeks ago, Dawn Anderson has closed the gap.

Irvine, who has had his success at this track with driving titles of his own, was able to snag a three bagger over a very “off” race track, with his first win coming in the first race, driving Pretty Lurleen for owner/trainer Mike Perpall in a time of 1:57.2, paying $22.00. In the fourth race Irvine was aboard Bettor’d Dee, also owned and trained by Perpall in a time of 2:01, paying $5.40. In the seventh race Irvine piloted Four Starx Falcon, trained by Mike Girouard and owned by Dominic Marusco, in a time of 1:59.1, paying $12.00. His five drives on the card also netted him a third place finish.

The spotlight must really shine on the trainer’s championship because of the way it is playing out. The leading driver and leading trainer of the meet is Jim Hardy, who has been catch driving for Dawn Anderson during the second half of the season on occasion. Hardy has helped Anderson erase the 11 race lead he had over her by winning races for her, as he has gone on a little tailspin and the tide has now turned and the two of them are now tied at 48 wins with one day to go.

Saturday is the last racing day of the meet and Anderson has three in and Hardy has two, but the catch of the day is that in the sixth race Hardy will be driving Anderson’s last race. This should be very interesting. Anderson is in the first race, which is the New England Amateur Drivers Race and Anderson will be driving her own horse that has dominated the amateur races the second half of the year.

— Bob Lieberman

An even dozen for Prime Interest

Saratoga Springs, NY — For the 12th time this season, Prime Interest won Saratoga Gaming and Raceway’s Open Trot on Friday night. The defending Horse of the Year at the track is looking to keep his crown in 2009 and was convincing once again.

Dave Oxford photo

Prime Interest won the Open Trot on Friday night in 1:56.3.

Prime Interest’s regular driver Frank Coppola put the sensational trotter on the front end right away and they would never look back. Making every pole a winning one, Prime Interest stopped the timer in 1:56.3 and continued a terrific follow up season to his award winning and record breaking ‘08 campaign. The track record holder (1:55.1) at Saratoga, Prime Interest has tallied 26 wins in the last couple of seasons for leading trainer Colin Johnson and owner Vince Laurenzo.

The same connections teamed up for a win earlier with Euphoria Seelster.

Live racing continues on Saturday night with a first post of 7:05 p.m.

— Mike Sardella

Fast closing Craiger wins Batavia feature

Batavia, NY — The veteran campaigner Craiger notched the 38th win of his career when he won the featured $8,000 II Trot on Friday night at Batavia Downs Casino. The 9-year-old Sea Battle gelding was capably driven by Jim McNeight for trainer Neal Russo and owners Edt Stables.

Getting away seventh, Craiger bided his time along the rail until angling out three-wide approaching three-quarters. Now picking off horses one by one around the final turn, Craiger had all the momentum coming off the turn and trotted home strongly in the center to be a head winner in 2:00.3. Craiger has lifetime earnings of more than $238,000. Roy (Jack Flanigen) surged late in the passing lane to be second while the talented 3-year-old trotting filly Queen Creek (Ron Beback Jr.) came on to be third despite an overland journey.

Jim McNeight, Ray Fisher Jr. and Ken Holliday all had driving hat tricks while training doubles went to the meet’s leading conditioner Sherri Holliday and John Mungillo.

— Todd Haight