USA Harness Racing News for Saturday, June 17, 2023

Here are the most recent harness racing stories in the USA for Saturday, June 17, 2023.

LYING IN CASH BRINGS HOME THE DOUGH

Lying in Cash (Aracache Hanover) and driver Jason Merriman went a long mile in the Saturday night featured $10,800 Open Handicap Pace at Northville Downs to win by a neck in a blanket finish in 1:55.4

Seemingly a majority of the field left for the early lead with Jet’s Sureshot and Let’snotforget settling into the top two spots early, which left Youmakemyheartsing and Lying In Cash parked out two and three wide respectively for most of the mile.

As they scrambled for position, the field went by the opening quarter in 27.2 with Jet’s Sureshot and Bart Stimer in the lead with Art McIlmurray and Youmakemyheartsing in the two path and Lying in Cash stuck out three wide before Jason Merriman could wrangle his charge back to a second over position behind the aforementioned Youmakemyheartsing as they went to the half in 55.3. As they pushed to the three-quarters in 1:25, Jet’s Sureshot, who finished third, was overtaken by Youmakemyheartsing, who settled for place, into the stretch who was then overtaken by a three-wide Lying in Cash at the wire with the top five horses separated by only a half-length. It was so tight that there was a dead heat for fourth between RJP and Coalfordbythesea.

LYING IN CASH REPLAY

Lying in Cash is bred, owned, and trained in Michigan by Techia Lohmann and the win was career number 32 and it pushed his lifetime earnings to $214,346.

Drivers Justin Irvine, Lindsay Moen and Kody Massey all had driving doubles on the night and trainer Gerald Malady had a training double as well.

Racing at The Ville resumes Friday, June 23, 2023 at 7pm. Friday night is dollar night featuring $1 live programs, $1 pop and popcorn, $2 hot dogs and beer and hamburger and cheeseburger specials. Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night from now until September 30th  with a 7pm post time. For live racing dining reservations, be sure to call Northville Downs in advance at 248-924-2073.

For complete race results, click here.

by Ken Terpenning, for Northville Downs

 

BELIEVER MAKES BELIEVERS AT TIOGA DOWNS

Believer (Cantab Hall) and driver Ridge Warren won the $10,500 featured trot at Tioga Downs on Saturday (June 17).

BJ Lorado (Aaron Byron) took the lead and led to the first quarter in :27.2.  He used a :29.3 second quarter to be first to half in :57.0.  Believer ($4.10) made his move heading for the final turn.  BJ Lorado was first to three-quarters in 1:25.4.

As they made the turn for home Believer throttled his way to the front.  Second place finisher Knight Angel (Tyler Miller) came flying late but was too late as Believer won easily in 1:55.0.  Jammin Jack (Corey Braden) finished third.

Believer is a 5-year-old owned by Mali Norbye and Arnold Witkin while trained by Randy Taft.  It was his fourth win this season and his 19^th career victory.

BELIEVER REPLAY

Trainer-driver Lee Morris won both of the Southern Tier Amateur Club events.  He won the first one with SD Watch Me Now and the second with Better Call Saul.

Live racing returns on Sunday (June 18) with a 10-race card starting at 1 p.m.

For more information, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs

 

ZAPACA FINDS ROOM TO TAKE TOP TROT

Zapaca (Yankee Glide) and driver John MacDonald captured the $7,500 featured trot on Saturday (June 17) at Vernon Downs.

Debs Prince Hall (Barton Dalious) led to the quarter in :27.2.  Discus Hanover (Truman Gale) came first-up and challenged Debs Prince Hall all the way down the backstretch.  Debs Prince Hall had a short lead to the half in :57.0.  The two continued to battle all around the final turn.  Discus Hanover had a short lead to three-quarters in 1:26.0.

As they reached the stretch Zapaca ($13.20), who has been racing second-over found an opening and took over the lead.  He had to hold off a late charge by second place finisher Poker Play (Steeven Genois) and third place finisher Match My Miracle (Frank Affrunti) to win in 1:55.4.

Zapaca is a 6-year-old gelding owned by Uptownpetscom Stable and trained by MacDonald.  It was second win this season and career win number seven.

ZAPACA REPLAY

MacDonald drove three winners on the card and trained two winners.  Steeven Genois had a driving hat trick as well.  Michelle Warner had a training double.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing for a special Father’s Day matinee with 9-race card starting at 12:15 p.m.  Featuring corgi races after race 2, 4, and 6.

For more information, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs

 

TRACK RECORD REWRITTEN AT BUFFALO RACEWAY

HAMBURG, N.Y. —It wasn’t the featured event but Summer Slash (Downbytheseaside-Before The Poison) turned it into one.

The lone mare in the field, Summer Slash ($5.10) beat the boys in the $13,500 sub-featured pace and did so in grand style by breaking the 4-year-old pacing mark for the mares at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (June 17) with a 1:54.0 trip.

It eclipsed the standard of 1:54.1 established on June 15, 2016, by Terrorcam. The time was also a lifetime best for Summer Slash, who beat One Off Delight A by 1-3/4 lengths.

In the compact field of five, reduced by the scratch of Black Is Back, American Trademark was the leader on the front end with times of :28.3, :58.0 and 1:26.1. Summer Slash was first over and was on even terms with American Trademark with a quarter mile to go.

Summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) then powered her way to the lead in the home stretch and used a :27.4 last panel to pull off the two length victory over One Off Delight A (Kevin Cummings) and put her name into the record book. American Trademark finished in third.

Owned by Ilovemyharnesshorsesummer and trained by Ryan Swift, Summer Slash has now won five times in 10 starts this season. The victory upped her 2023 bankroll to $34,319 and $58,890 in her career.

In the top race on the card, Casimir Richie P (Astronomical-Casimir Hugs) got the perfect pocket journey in the $15,500 Open Pace and he turned it into a length victory over Jm’s Delight. He stopped the timer in 1:54.2 which equaled his seasonal mark.

The Open Pace was named the “Richard Mays Memorial Pace” to honor the longtime Western New York horseman was passed away on September 7, 2022.

The field was trimmed down to six participants as Avion Seelster was excused due to illness. Alta Engen A (Kevin Cummings) showed the way off the rail and laid down reasonable fractions of :28.1, :57.4 and 1:26.0.

With a quarter mile to pace, Just Plain Loco (David McNeight III), last week’s Open winner, was first over but his attempt to track down Alta Engen A fizzled out. Casimir Richie P (Joseph Chindano Jr.) in the meantime was just waiting to pounce in the pocket. When it did, he confidently roared onto the lead with a :28.1 final panel doing the trick. Jm’s Delight (Jim Morrill Jr.) was able to sneak by Alta Engen A for second place honors.

Owned by Michael Goldberg and trained by Teesha Symes, it was the sixth win in 16 tries in 2023 for the 8-year-old Casimir Richie P. The victory increased his earnings to $40,325 on the season and $368,742 in his lifetime. He paid $8.40 to win.

McNeight III, Chindano Jr. and Morrill Jr. all notched doubles on the evening while Jennifer Giuliani had a pair of training wins.

Racing will resume on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a 13-race card set. The New York Sire Stakes returns as three (approx. $35,000) divisions will be contested for the 2-year-old filly pacers. There will also be a pair of $20,000 Excelsior Series races for the young ladies.

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

 

A DELIGHTFUL ACT N HOLDS ON IN THRILLER FINISH

Northfield, OH – When you’re hot, you’re hot, and the daughter of Bettor’s Delight, A Delightful Act N, continued to show why she is one of Northeast Ohio’s top harness racing mares, digging in late to win the $20,000 Filly and Mare Open at MGM Northfield Park on Saturday (June 17).

Waitforever N (Aaron Merriman) left alertly once the starter said go and cleared the field quickly into the opening turn, with Ellagator (Billy Davis Jr.) pocket shadow. Waitforever N kicked to a two-length lead entering the backstretch, but as Merriman tried to get a breather, A Delightful Act N (Hunter Myers) made a big move and cleared after a quarter in :27.

Myers continued to take no prisoners, getting to the half in :54.4 with the field in straight alignment behind second choice A Delightful Act N.

Ideal Destiny (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) began her bid for the lead entering the backstretch and would make it to within a half-length of the leader past three-quarters in 1:22.4. 

When Myers asked A Delightful Act N for a bit more, she responded, putting away Ideal Destiny but turning for home, the daunting presence of Waitforever N was looming in the pocket. While it appeared A Delightful Act N would be an easy winner, Waitforever N had something left in the tank but came up a neck shy in 1:50.3. Better Days Ahead (Luke Ebersole) rallied to be third.

Owned by Schillaci Stables LLC, Sam Bova Racing, and John Manning, the Sam Schillaci trainee pushed her career earnings to $307,058. It was the 20th career victory for the New Zealand-bred mare.

A DELIGHTFUL ACT N REPLAY

Live racing resumes on Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday. For more information on live racing and promotions, visit here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Michael Carter, for MGM Northfield Park

 

35-1 STUNNING UPSET IN OPEN AT THE SPA

St Lads Sterling (Control The Moment) won his first Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel on May 27^th of this year. The Jackie Greene-trained pacer pulled off the upset that evening while dismissed at odds of 23-1. The four-year-old was no factor in last week’s installment of the $17,000 Saturday feature at the Spa and this weekend he drew post eight for his assignment against the track’s top pacers.

Jay Randall pilots St Lads Sterling who usually does his best work when coming from off the pace. This week, Randall unleashed the Greene trainee in the early going and made the lead into the first turn. The longest shot on the board at odds of 35-1, St Lads Sterling blazed a trail behind him in a first lap that went in :55 seconds before clicking off three quarters in an eye-popping 1:22.3.

The upset-minded leader showed no signs of letting up and in fact held strong in the stretch to score in 1:52.1 for his second Open Pace victory in his last three starts. Wyatt J (Luke Hanners) finished second while Talking Tom (Chris Long) earned the show spot.

St Lads Sterling, who is owned by Janie Kellogg and the Jackie Greene Stables of Fort Ann, NY, paid $73.50 to win while pulling off the biggest upset in an Open thus far in 2023 at the Spa. He led an exacta and triple that returned $439 and $4,009, respectively. St Lads Sterling’s win was his fifth in sixteen starts on the season.

ST LADS STERLING REPLAY

Randall and Greene didn’t stop there. They teamed up for a victory with Im No Outlaw N (Bettor’s Delight) in a $12,500 conditional race on Saturday evening. The New Zealand invader also was all but ignored by the bettors, paying $39.40 to win and complete a double for Greene and a hat trick for Randall who piloted three winners on the card.

Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee that begins at noon.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway

 

KEVIN SWITZER, JR SCORES 3,000th WIN

CUMBERLAND, ME – On a track listed as ‘good,’ the Maine faithful waited patiently in inclement weather for one of their favorite sons, Kevin Switzer Jr., to snag his 3,000^th lifetime victory.  It finally arrived in race seven, where his sister, Candace Brandstatter harnessed the horse El Jacko N (Elsu) and provided the well-known New England driver with his career benchmark.

Friends and a large, enthusiastic extended family swarmed the winners circle to help the 35-year-old third generation horseman celebrate the momentous occasion.

Following the festivities, Switzer Jr. shared his excitement with track photographer Stephanie Gray.  “I am very happy to reach this milestone at my home track, with my sister’s horse,” he exclaimed.

“Having my family, friends and colleagues here in the rain makes it much more special for me,” the talented teamster added.  “Thank you to First Tracks [Cumberland] for the recognition today and leading up to today.  I am very grateful to do what I love, in the place that I grew up.”

El Jacko N, an 11-year-old New Zealand-bred, was the 9-5 favorite and paid $2.60 to win.  Owned by P T Stable and trained by Brandstatter, it was 34^th win of his career, and second in a row at Cumberland.

EL JACKO N REPLAY

Two $14,684 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies went postward as races one and nine.  The first split saw sophomore filly South St Dottie (Western Maverick) and driver Nick Graffam at odds of 5-2, come from off the pace to score over the pacesetting favorite La Mambacity (Heath Campbell, 2-5) to score 2:02.

Trained by Mike Graffam for owner Jan Donaway, the 3-year-old filly paid $7.60 to win for just the second time in her career.  Janie finished third.

SOUTH ST DOTTIE REPLAY

The second Maine-bred division was captured by the favorite Pickmepickme (Western Maverick) in wire-to-wire fashion.  Driven by Andy Harrington for owner-trainer-breeder Marc Tardif, the filly was the top freshman filly in the state of Maine last season.  She paid $2.60 to win the ninth race of her career.

Katelyn’s Angel (Switzer Jr.) finished second and was also trained by Tardif.  Justcallmemimi (Bruce Ranger) was third.

PICKMEPICKME REPLAY

Leading reinsman Bruce Ranger enjoyed three wins on the 12-race program, with Nick Graffam and Andy Harrington each collecting a pair of victories.

Racing resumes Friday (June 23) at First Tracks Cumberland.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.

For complete race results, click here.

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

 

TOUGH CO-FEATURES HELD AT POCONO DOWNS

WILKES-BARRE, PA – Pacer Casual Cool (American Ideal) and trotter P L Notsonice each beat out some tough opposition to take the $18,500 features on their gait during the Saturday (June 11) afternoon card at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

The gelding Casual Cool, whose last victory came on May 7 in a “nw6400” class, defeated today’s “nw20000” field with a gritty 1:49.2 effort. Ridge Warren sent the winner of $628,790 frontward early, enduring some time three-wide and then onward around favored Ultimaroca to get the top in :26.1.

Casual Cool put up midsplits of :54.2 and 1:21.4 then braced for a stretch charge, which did come – Maximus Miki off cover to his right, Ultimaroca up the inside to his left.

Casual Cool was game and got the job done by a head over “Miki,” with Ultimaroca only a neck behind the winner, who is trained by Daniel Renaud for Dune Road Stables LLC

CASUAL COOL REPLAY

On the trotting side, the Kadabra mare P L Notsonice broke a string of four straight seconds by winning emphatically in 1:52.3. The winner of $381,291 set fractions of :27.2, :56.1, and 1:24, then beat Pocono Pike-shooting Robbie Pev by 2½ lengths for driver Matt Kakaley, trainer Steven Brabrook, and Elite Harness Racing LLC.

P L NOTSONICE REPLAY

Code Cracker and Aflame Hanover both won in 1:50 on the card; the latter gets an extra mention in that he went over $500,000 in career earnings with the victory.

Many of the top three-year-old trotting fillies in North America will be racing in two $70,649 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes second prelim round divisions during Pocono’s 6 p.m. card Sunday, Recent stakes winners include Pennsylvania Sire Stakes success stories Sheer Faith and Railee Something and Pennsylvania All-Stars victresses Angelpedia and Bond. Program pages for all Pocono races are or will be available by clicking here.

For complete race results, click here.

From the PHHA / Pocono Downs