Harrington and Rosecroft offer freshmen finals
Harness racing enthusiasts often dread midweek cards, but this past Wednesday both Harrington Raceway and Rosecroft Raceway offered a quartet of lucrative stakes finals for two-year-olds of both gaits and genders that would serve as a genuine break from the usual midweek menu.
Early on the Harrington card, Chillaxin Away (Victor Kirby) lived up to his billing as the 1-9 favorite in the $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund final for two-year-old colt pacers when he gained command before a 28.2 opener, got a breather by the half in 57 flat, rolled by three-quarters in 1:25.3 then sprinted clear from Dashiki (Montrell Teague) to a five-length score in 1:53.1. It was the second win in five starts for the Jim King, Jr. trainee.
Then one race later in the $100k DSBF final for two-year-old filly trotters, Just As Striking (Eddie Dennis) benefited from an early miscue from 1-20 choice Embrace The Grace (Jonathan Roberts) and led throughout to forge a 27-1 shocker in 2:01.4. Just As Striking picked the ideal time to garner her diploma when she notched her first victory in four lifetime tries.
One race later in the $100k DSBF final for two-year-old filly pacers, The Lady Sheriff (Teague) lived up to her role as the 3-10 favorite when she gained command before a 28.2 opener, got a breather to the half in 58, cruised by three-quarters in 1:26.4 then outlasted the late bid of 10-1 Vistamista (Kirby) to prevail by a neck in 1:55.2. It was the third win in five starts for the "Team Teague" trainee who has banked nearly $75,000 along the way.
Then one race later in the $100k DSBF final for two-year-old colt trotters, Disco Solieil (Rod Allen) overcame a first over trip to post a 9-1 upset in 2:01.4. He benefited from the early miscue from railbound favorite She's Spooky (Ross Wolfenden) then rallied from midpack to score for the first time in two outings.
That same night at Rosecroft, B For Real (Frank Milby) romped home six lengths clear in 1:53.3 as the 7-5 second choice in the $65,000 Maryland Sire Stakes final for two-year-old filly pacers. Owned and trained by Bryan Truitt, B For Real recorded her second win from seven starts and pushed her seasonal earnings toward $60,000. How Bout Dat Rusty and Cash Me Out were the 4-5 favored entry but were not a threat to the eventual winner.
One race later in the $65k MDSS final for two-year-old filly trotters, Pats A Keeper (Jared Moyer) kept her perfect record in tact when she she led throughout and prevailed as the stronger half of the even-money favored entry. Owned and trained by Arlene Cameron, Pats A Keeper recorded her sixth win in as many starts this year and pushed her earnings toward $85,000 by outlasting Bossy Hilly (Roberts) for a length victory.
Then one race later in the $65k MDSS final for two-year-old colt pacers, Berzerker (Tony Morgan) tucked fourth early, angled out first over down the backside and eventually edged Rockin In The Shades (Russell Foster) for a neck score in 1:52.2. It was the third win in six starts for Berzerker who pushed his career earnings to $40,000 while lowering his lifetime mark in the process.
One race later in the $65k MDSS final for two-year-old colt trotters, Whoppdee Goo (Jim Morand) outfought entry mate Gaareat Gazoo (Milby) for his fifth win from seven starts and pushed his career earnings past $80,000. I Deliver (Roberts), winner of both of his elims, settled for third in a good effort.
Early on the Harrington card, Chillaxin Away (Victor Kirby) lived up to his billing as the 1-9 favorite in the $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund final for two-year-old colt pacers when he gained command before a 28.2 opener, got a breather by the half in 57 flat, rolled by three-quarters in 1:25.3 then sprinted clear from Dashiki (Montrell Teague) to a five-length score in 1:53.1. It was the second win in five starts for the Jim King, Jr. trainee.
Then one race later in the $100k DSBF final for two-year-old filly trotters, Just As Striking (Eddie Dennis) benefited from an early miscue from 1-20 choice Embrace The Grace (Jonathan Roberts) and led throughout to forge a 27-1 shocker in 2:01.4. Just As Striking picked the ideal time to garner her diploma when she notched her first victory in four lifetime tries.
One race later in the $100k DSBF final for two-year-old filly pacers, The Lady Sheriff (Teague) lived up to her role as the 3-10 favorite when she gained command before a 28.2 opener, got a breather to the half in 58, cruised by three-quarters in 1:26.4 then outlasted the late bid of 10-1 Vistamista (Kirby) to prevail by a neck in 1:55.2. It was the third win in five starts for the "Team Teague" trainee who has banked nearly $75,000 along the way.
Then one race later in the $100k DSBF final for two-year-old colt trotters, Disco Solieil (Rod Allen) overcame a first over trip to post a 9-1 upset in 2:01.4. He benefited from the early miscue from railbound favorite She's Spooky (Ross Wolfenden) then rallied from midpack to score for the first time in two outings.
That same night at Rosecroft, B For Real (Frank Milby) romped home six lengths clear in 1:53.3 as the 7-5 second choice in the $65,000 Maryland Sire Stakes final for two-year-old filly pacers. Owned and trained by Bryan Truitt, B For Real recorded her second win from seven starts and pushed her seasonal earnings toward $60,000. How Bout Dat Rusty and Cash Me Out were the 4-5 favored entry but were not a threat to the eventual winner.
One race later in the $65k MDSS final for two-year-old filly trotters, Pats A Keeper (Jared Moyer) kept her perfect record in tact when she she led throughout and prevailed as the stronger half of the even-money favored entry. Owned and trained by Arlene Cameron, Pats A Keeper recorded her sixth win in as many starts this year and pushed her earnings toward $85,000 by outlasting Bossy Hilly (Roberts) for a length victory.
Then one race later in the $65k MDSS final for two-year-old colt pacers, Berzerker (Tony Morgan) tucked fourth early, angled out first over down the backside and eventually edged Rockin In The Shades (Russell Foster) for a neck score in 1:52.2. It was the third win in six starts for Berzerker who pushed his career earnings to $40,000 while lowering his lifetime mark in the process.
One race later in the $65k MDSS final for two-year-old colt trotters, Whoppdee Goo (Jim Morand) outfought entry mate Gaareat Gazoo (Milby) for his fifth win from seven starts and pushed his career earnings past $80,000. I Deliver (Roberts), winner of both of his elims, settled for third in a good effort.
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