David Hamm and Frank Chick’s Black Hope ($12, Brandon Givens) was a 1:56 winner in the $22,500 Open Trot Wednesday at Harrington Raceway.
Long shot Dyladmar set the tempo at 17-to-1, leaving the gate hard from post three to set fractions of 27.1, 56.3 and 1:25.4. Somebody Special and Baby Bob headed up the outer tier while Black Hope awaited racing room in the pocket. The field bunched on the final turn with the leader tiring and Black Hope charging through down the passing lane for his 4th win of the season. Baby Bob was second with a dead heat between Arrowhead Hanover and Speed Away for third. Trained by Les Givens, it was the 23rd career win for the 7-year-old Bar Hopping gelding. It was one of 3 wins on the card for driver Givens, the meet’s leading driver.
Mark and Betsy Lucas’ FD Pure Platinum ($89.60, Jason Green) lit up the board with a wire-to-wire win in the 6th race. The 5-year-old EL Platinum mare notched her 2nd win of the season for her co-owner/trainer Mark Lucas.
Live racing will continue on a Monday through Wednesday schedule through October 21.