Saturday’s (July 14) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Saratoga Casino and Raceway, Buffalo Raceway, Running Aces and Vernon Downs.
Bet On Roulette spins a winner at Saratoga
Saratoga, NY --- Bet On Roulette (Bettor’s Delight) scored his first win in a local feature on Saturday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The Paul Kelley trained 6-year-old won the open pace in wire-to-wire fashion, lasting on the lead despite sprinting early to the tune of :26.3 in the opening quarter.
Wally Hennessey sat behind Bet On Roulette as he survived a three horse photo to prevail for the sixth time in fifteen 2012 starts. Kelly’s Noah (Kim Crawford) motored home late to finish second after coming from last. El Ringer (Jay Randall) was in the photo with the top two but ended up third in the 1:52.1 mile.
Bet On Roulette scored the winner’s share of the $18,500 purse for owners the Purple Haze Stables LLC, of Fairport, NY. The win was one of four on the night for Hennessey.
-- Mike Sardella
Buffalo Raceway
Golden Terror, a 5-year old Western Terror gelding out of the Artiscape mare Bell Ami’s Love, won the $10,000 Open Pace in 1:53.3, over a fast track, for owners, Team Italia Racing Stables of Buffalo, NY, here at Buffalo Raceway Saturday night (July 14).
It was the eleventh win in twenty- three attempts this season for Golden Terror, and his winning time was just a tick off his lifetime best. Golden Terror ($3.70), leaving from post five in the field of six and driven by the meets leading driver Shawn Gray, settled in fifth as Unicorn Hanover (Bob Verney) hit the quarter in :29 and the half in :56.4.
It was another first-over trip for Golden Terror but the gutsy gelding was at the top of his game, and hit the three-quarters with the lead in 1:25.1.
As the field hit the top of the stretch, Golden Terror was in complete command, and beat second place finisher Goodnite Goodluck (Kevin Cummings) by two lengths at the wire. R C Cruiser (Jim McNeight) came in third.
Trained by John Mungillo, the $5,000 share of the winning purse put Golden Terror’s season bankroll at $70,192, and $140,982 lifetime.
Running Aces
The $8,000 championship leg of the month-long “Future Stars” series for green trotters was the feature of the Saturday night program at Running Aces.
The Painted Doll, an Angus Hall-sired 3-year-old filly used a strong second half surge to win by 1-1/2 lengths for owner-trainer Mark Anderson.
Sent off as the third choice by the betting public, driver Joey Mapes got away third then launched a first-over attack just prior to the half. King Rail (Craig Banks) and DD’s Tiger (Brandon Jenson) were also in the outer flow and were rewarded with the place and show finishes.
An $8,000 event for Minnesota-sired 3-year-old pacing fillies was the co-feature of the night and Fiftyonefifty (Nick Roland) continued her dominance of the class with her third straight win in the class.
Owned by Dana Pederson, the daughter of Dags bested Iheartquestionmark (Mapes) and Place’N First (Gerry Longo) in a 1:54.4 mile.
Both Roland and Mapes triumphed three times on the nine-race program. Although Mapes missed two cards earlier in the week, it was the third straight night in which he competed that he scored a driving triple.
Vernon Downs
Oriental Carpet rolled to a career-fastest 1:52 featured race win, while leading driver Rick Plano piled up five first-place credits during Saturday night’s 11-race program at Vernon Downs.
The fourth wagering choice in Saturday’s $8,000 “Winners Over” contest, Oriental Carpet ($22.60) tucked in behind the pace-setting favorite Mach My Word going to the quarter, and remained in the garden spot until the final stages of the sixth race before rallying to record a neck triumph over the frisky mile-cutter.
Howard Okusko, Jr., who was injured earlier in the season, returned to the sulky for his wife, trainer Jessica Okusko, and patiently guided the 4