by harness publicists across North America

Sunday’s (Oct. 31) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Colonial Downs, Dover Downs and Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.

Virginia-bred sophs prep for ‘Day of Champions’ at Colonial Downs

New Kent, VA — Rick’s Luck scored a wire-to-wire victory in the $4,000 Virginia-bred prep race for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers Sunday afternoon at Colonial Downs.

Coady Photography

Apparition defeated four other sophomore male trotters in 1:56.3 for driver Chris Page.

The Camluck gelding, who faced a deep field of eight other sophomore pacers, had the services of leading driver Corey Braden in the bike. Rick’s Luck left from the rail and cut quarter panels of :27.2, :56.1 and 1:25.3 before earning a one length triumph over fast closing Tidewater Teddy in 1:53.3. Trainer Fran Raia conditions the pacer for the Richie Pat Bonvie Stable.

In other Virginia-bred Halloween action, Apparition, Tidewater Lilpaige and Luring Helen captured respective 3-year-old divisional wins.

Apparition defeated four other sophomore male trotters in 1:56.3. The
S J’s Photo gelding came outside just before the straightaway and zipped by Blueridge Empire and Blueridge Tornado at the third fraction to take command. Chris Page guided Apparition to a one length win for trainer Vickie Lake and owner B L Conway of Abingdon, Virginia.

The filly preps both featured modest three horse fields. Tidewater Lilpaige had an easy wire-to-wire journey in the sophomore filly pace, crossing nearly six lengths ahead of Blueridge Eden in 1:58. Co-owner Scott Woogen drove his charge to the victory. Luring Helen also wired the field in the filly trot, crossing 2-1/4 lengths ahead of Blueridge Rahab in 2:02.1. Trainer Renfrow Hauser was in the sulky for his filly, who won for the first time in eight outings.

Colonial wraps up its fall season on Friday and Saturday with matinee cards both days slated for 1 PM. The 2 and 3-year-old championships will all be decided Saturday in the annual $300,000 (est.) “Day of Champions”.

— from Colonial Downs

Dover Downs
Only noses separated the first three horses in the 42nd season opening feature at Dover Downs on Sunday, Oct. 31. Ron Pierce with four winners led drivers with double figures on the 15-race program. Tim Tetrick and Straightalkexpress had just enough to hold off a fast finishing Mars Pacific with Tony Morgan in 1:55.1 to win the Halloween night $16,500 event for 3,4&5-year-old pacers. Big Guy, handled by Eric Goodell, was in the win photo nabbing a third place finish. Pierce guided Enviro Stables’ Rocknroll Herman home in 1:55 to take the $11,000 3,4&5-Year-Old Male pace for trainer Les Givens. Joshadamjacob (Eric Goodell) was second in front of early leader Wanttobequeenb (Jim Morand). Joining Pierce in double figure wins were Allan Davis and Tony Morgan and trainers Art Brewer and Tim Crissman.

Saratoga Gaming and Raceway
There was another first time winner of the Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga on Sunday afternoon as Semjac Legacy prevailed in her first crack at the local feature. The Tracy Brainard trainee has had the winning way about her all year long and on Sunday won for the 13th time in the 2010 campaign. Semjac Legacy (Western Paradise) headed into Sunday with a record of three wins in four tries since coming to Saratoga last month and bettered that record behind a first-over score in the $16,500 open for distaff pacers. Displaying a change from the early speed tactics that she has showed recently, Semjac Legacy wound up first-over and blitzed by her rivals behind a final half of :56.3. The 4-year-old mare moved her seasonal bankroll to just shy of $125,000 with the feature score which came in 1:54.4 on Sunday. Headpoles R Us (Chris Long) ran second while Maximum Bet (Brian Cross) held on for third.