Grey Ice upsets a $14,000 trot at Dover

Dover, DE --- Grey Ice, overlooked at 10-1, won the feature trot, and Beads N Weeds took the top pace at Dover Downs on Saturday, Dec. 12. And the meet’s leading driver, Ron Pierce, had another five-win day, his third of the week -- and 21st victory since Monday.

Fotowon

Grey Ice sat patiently while others contested the issue, and came on to be an easy winner

Grey Ice immediately came out and quick-stepped past Copper Harbor and continued on for an easy, 4-3/4 length victory in a lifetime record time of 1:58. Jeff Long trains the winner for Howard Stables.

It was The Icepan Cometh--The E Street Pan grey gelding's fourth career win in only 10 races. Copper Harbor was alone in second. Blue Boy Yankee (Ridge Warren) closed strongly to win a photo for third.

In addition to Pierce’s winning splurge, Ross Wolfenden and Corey Callahan had driving doubles.

Saturday and Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m. and weekday racing starts at 4:30 p.m., eastern, Monday through Thursday. Fridays are dark. There is simulcasting of major harness and Thoroughbred racing from 12 p.m until 12 a.m. at the new Race and Sports Book on the casino floor, and on the third floor simulcasting is also is available one hour before live racing, until after the Dover Downs races on racing days, only.

-- Marv Bachrad

Chust Chudy gets win number 50 in Northfield’s Open trot

Northfield, OH --- Monore Weaver's Chust Chudy ($37.20) shocked in Saturday's $6,000 Open trot at Northfield Park, overcoming traffic trouble to take the lead from Striking Genius, and then holding-off Ab's Speedy Hall in the stretch.

Trainer Jimmy Smith drove the homebred 9-year-old Striking Sahbra mare and looked like he would get a perfect trip as Smith followed Extreme Makeover into the cover flow as the field approached the half, but Extreme Makeover made a break, leaving Smith outside.

It made no difference, as Chust Chudy posted a 1:58.2 win, the 50th of her career. Extreme Makeover recovered from the break to finish third.

In the $6,000 Open pace, Painted Speed ($21.80) wore down the favored pacesetter, Camcoder, to post an impressive, 1:54 win. Ryan Stahl drove the winner for trainer Ryan Angus and New York owner Todd Liebman. The win was the eighth in 35 season’s starts for the 5-year-old Real Artist gelding. Camcode was second and Perfect Door used a perfect trip to finish third.

-- Keith Gisser

Chalky winner in Yonkers’ feature

Yonkers, NY --- The odd-on favorite, Giddy Up Lucky (Jason Bartlett), played leapfrog on the lead Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $36,000 Open Handicap pace.

Tom Berg

Giddy Up Lucky and Jason Bartlett didn't disappoint at Yonkers on Saturday

Leaving from post position number four, in one notch after an inside defection, Giddy Up Lucky had a nose on gate. He left, as did the second choice Jeremy's Successor (Yannick Gingras), directly to his outside.

Giddy Up Lucky reclaimed the lead just after a :27.1 opening quarter-mile. He then found a :56 intermission and a 1:24 three-quarters. Runover Feeling (George Brennan) tried it first-up, but never came close.

Giddy Up Lucky, up a couple of lengths turning for home, held off "Jeremy" by a length, in 1:52.1. Digital Z Tam (Pat Lachance), Southwind Tabor (Ryan Anderson) and Nob Hill High (Jim Meittinis) completed the cashers.

Giddy Up Lucky, a 4-year-old Camluck gelding trained by Josh Green for co-owners David Rovine and Larry Baron, returned $3.60 for his ninth win in three dozen season’s starts. He had been the beaten favorite in his precious three efforts. The Exacta paid $10.00, with the Triple returning $35.40.

Yonkers' regular five-night-per-week schedule, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Friday and Saturday, remains in effect. First post for all racing programs is 7:10 p.m., eastern with the final live '09 program scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 22. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the New York Racing Association schedule.

Note that the New York Racing Association Christmas break runs from Dec. 14 through Christmas Day.

-- Frank Drucker

Bling tops older mares in Florida

Pompano Beach, FL --- The world champion Esmeralda Semalu made her return to Pompano Park on Saturday in the $13,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap pace. Even though she had a record tour of the South Florida oval, in 1:49.4, earlier this year, she was denied victory in her first start back after a month's rest.

Lap Time Photo

Bling won for the eigth time in 11 starts for the Polo Stable

Esmeralda Semalu appeared to be headed for victory: After Chapsboots N Spurs with Wally Hennessey hung up a first quarter of :28, Joe Pavia, Jr. had “Esmeralda” out and moving to command at the half in :57. Third-quarter pressure was applied by Lucy Lucy (Matt Kakaley) to the third marker, in 1:25.2, and turning for home it appeared as though Esmeralda was home free.

However, the Florida Breeders Stake winning 3-year-old filly Bling had other ideas: After a following, prudent trip just off the pace given by driver David Ingraham, the Scoot Outa Reach--C The Glory filly was tipped-out for clear sailing coming out of the final turn. Nearing the wire, Bling edged past to stop the clock in 1:53.3 on a track that had been dulled by late-afternoon and evening rain showers.

It was the eighth win in 11 starts this year for Bling, trained by Mark Friedman for Polo Stable of Boca Raton, Fla. This win in Pompano Park's top weekly distaff event pushed her career bankroll to $98,400.

The $13,000 Open pace was saved for the second half of the Saturday evening doubleheader, and it was amply worth the wait. Mai Tai Guy, in rein to Rick Schaut, withstood a parked trip through fractions of :26.3, :54.3 and 1:23.1. Improving position right behind him all the way was Cammabis, with Kevin Wallis, who came on in late stretch for the win, in 1:52.3. McRyan Michael, with Bruce Ranger, was a hard-closing second and Mai Tai Guy persisted for third.

Cammabis recorded his 13th win in 39 starts this year, to push his 2009 earnings to over the $96,000 mark, and his career bankroll to $236,000. Paul Holzman trains the 6-year-old Cambest--Majestic Lady gelding for owner Fred Reitberger of Boca Raton, Fla.

Post time is 7:05 p.m., eastern each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening at the Winter Capital of Harness Racing.

-- Frank Salive

Renoir paints another winning picture at Saratoga

Saratoga Springs, NY --- Renoir is ending the season in as sharp a fashion as any horse has at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.

Dave Oxford

Renoir (Mark Beckwith) won for the 12th time this year

The Melissa Beckwith trainee is having a monster year, and is on top of his game as the season comes to an end. After a few claims this year, the classy 6-year-old pacer wound up the season back where he started it -- in the Beckwith barn.

On Saturday, driven by Mark Beckwith, Renoir won in 1:55.4, in a $6,000 claiming allowance pace for owner Richard LaCava.

Assuming he will not finish his year out of town, Renoir will wind up with a 12-win season. In 38 races this year, the Real Artist pacer hit the board in 25 tries. The racing season is ending at a bad time for Renoir, as he has never been sharper.

The live racing season will wrap up on Sunday afternoon with a 13-race matinee, starting at 12:45 p.m., eastern. It is the final day of racing until the 2010 season starts on March 4.

-- Mike Sardella