by harness publicists across North America

Wednesday’s (Oct 1) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Colonial Downs, Harrington Raceway, The Meadows, Harrah’s Philadelphia and Batavia Downs.

Wishingonadragon Captures the VHHA Pacing Series at Colonial

New Kent, VA — Wishingonadragon came outside in the turn then passed three front-steppers in deep stretch en route to a well strategized victory Wednesday in the $7,750 Virginia Harness Horsemen’s Association (VHHA) Pacing Series finale at Colonial Downs.

The 3-year-old Dragon Again filly scored a first leg division win September 17 in 1:55.4 then finished third in last week’s second leg. Reinsman Corey Braden directed Wishingonadragon from the rail Wednesday against nine other finalists and immediately settled into mid-pack. Americanautomation went directly to the front and triggered early panels of :26.3, :55.3 and 1:24 before running out of gas.

The eventual winner, who is owned and trained by Stacy McLenaghan, grabbed cover outside behind Bold and Brave as the field straightened out for home. The duo met betting choice River Runs Deep in mid-stretch and at the finish, Wishingonadragon was 1-1/4 lengths better in a lifetime best 1:52.3. River Runs Deep, who had a first leg division win, was second while Bold And Brave took third.

Highland Hellion and St. Lads Kingpin each scored third leg division wins in the Horace Martin & Barbara Perry Memorial Pacing Series, which was contested at a one and one-quarter miles distance. The former wired the field in 2:23.3 while the latter got to the winner’s circle for the first time in five tries this fall in 2:25.1.

— Darrell Wood

Harrington Raceway
Two new track records for trotters were set on the 14-race program at Harrington Raceway Wednesday, both of which were driven by Jonathan Roberts. I Like My Boss ($6.40, Roberts), who suffered his first career defeat in 16 starts on September 17, got back on the winning track and broke his own track record in the process with a 1:55.4 win in the $18,000 Open Trot. Owned by trainer Bob Shahan, Jimmy Parsons and Ashley Parsons, the 3-year-old Don Boss Vita gelding fought gamely first-over versus pacesetter Spunky Jack before edging clear in deep stretch for the track record setting triumph. It was the 16th win in 17 career starts for I Like My Boss. Earlier on the program, 4-year-old trotter Boffin ($2.40, Roberts) scored a 1:55.1 romp to shatter the 4-year-old trotting stallion mark, formerly held by Tough Challenger (1:56.1). It was one of three wins on the program for Roberts.

The Meadows
Anaffairtoremember made her debut at The Meadows a memorable one when she peeled off cover late, roared through the lane and captured Tuesday’s $16,500 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000 Life Trot. Anaffairtoremember, who had been plying her trade at Hoosier Park and Mohawk, was away sixth for Aaron Merriman when she picked up the live cover of the first-over Mistress Valentine. She shed her cover in the lane and scored in 1:54.2, 2-3/4 lengths better than early leader Kandian Club. Mistress Valentine saved show. Bill Bercury trains the 4-year-old daughter of Angus Hall-Val Lee Woman, who now boasts $253,732 in career earnings, for MT Pockets Stables.

Harrah’s Philadelphia
The featured race at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon was a conditioned pace for non-winners of $12,500 in their last five starts or non-winners of seven races or $70,000 lifetime. The wagering public put their support behind the Ron Burke charge Rage N Ryan (Yannick Gingras) and he wasted little time getting things going. He charged immediately for the lead, getting the quarter in :26.3. After a rated :28.3 second quarter, he felt mild pressure from Blended Whiskey (David Miller), who was parked the mile to this point. After a :27.3 third quarter, Rage N Ryan was able to hold steady to the finish, winning by a length, stopping the clock in 1:50.4. The class dropping Cambassador (George Napolitano Jr.) closed well for second after getting shuffled back, while Cinderella Guy (Anthony Morgan) finished third. The winner paid $4.40, keying a $9.40 exacta and a $43.60 trifecta. Rage N Ryan is owned by Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi.

Batavia Downs
Timing is everything and driver Jim McNeight had his down to a science Wednesday night in winning the $8,500 Mares Open Pace feature at Batavia Downs with Infrontigo Hanover. Going directly to the wood off the gate, McNeight settled Infrontigo Hanover in fourth while Taylor Rei (Aaron Byron) and Fiftyonefifty (Mike Whelan) played give-and-go to the quarter. When the dust settled at that post in :28.2, McNeight saw his chance and Infrontigo Hanover was quickly pulled at the three-eighths and took the lead before they hit the half. From then on the only thing left to figure out was how fast and by how many. Infrontigo Hanover opened up a six length lead going to the three-quarters in 1:25, then turned the corner and paced home uncontested to a wrapped-up 3-1/2 length victory in a new lifetime mark of 1:54.2. The winner paid $9.10. Bazooka Terror (Kevin Cummings) closed sharply for second and Dontch Remember (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) finished third. It was the fourth win in 28 starts for Infrontigo Hanover and raised her seasonal earnings to $34,844 for owners Summer Wind Stable of New York Inc. and Bob Gruber. The 6-year-old Western Hanover mare is trained by Bob Gruber. Second leading North American dash winning driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. was at the Downs Wednesday and pulled closer to leader Aaron Merriman as he came away with five winners on the card. He scored with Kill A Rockingbird ($28.60), Blissful Escape ($3.90), Delightful Syd ($5.80), Stonetag ($4.40) and Helena’s Hope ($3.30). Jim McNeight had the hat trick and Kevin Cummings doubled up.