One streak snapped, another extended

FORT ERIE, Ontario - One string was snapped and another extended when the dust cleared after the latest pair of two-furlong dashes here.

On Monday, the filly Storming on Merit reared at the break and finished last of nine in a $25,000 claimer for

2-year-old fillies. She had won her three previous starts, all here and all $25,000 claimers for 2-year-old fillies. Miss Docscott was the wire-to-wire winner.

On Tuesday, Pembroke Hall made it 4 for 4 in 2003. Pembroke Hall won the final quarter-mile race last year, meaning he has five consecutive victories.

Pembroke Hall, in post 1, was impatient during the loading and hitting the gate, jockey Francine Villeneuve said. He was headed briefly at the break but soon took the lead.

"As long as he's not very far behind, I don't worry," said trainer David Schmidt. "He jets hard the last eighth. They have to run the last eighth in 11 [seconds] to beat him."

Rare Friends targets Blazing Sevens

Rare Friends, a five-length winner of the Parnitha Stakes here July 1, is headed for the six-furlong Blazing Sevens Stakes here July 19. The $60,000 Blazing Sevens is part of a stakes tripleheader, topped by the $125,000 Rainbow Connection.

Rare Friends, 4, was Canadian champion 2-year-old colt or gelding and has won 9 of 17 lifetime starts. He had a throat operation this spring.

"We needed that last race," said Bob Tiller, the trainer and co-owner of Rare Friends. "This is a perfect spot for me. There's an extra $30,000 in the pot [for Canadian-breds]."

Roman Romance in Lauries Dancer?

Roman Romance, winner of the Centre Stage Anne Stakes on the Canada Day card, may wind up in the 1 1/16-mile Lauries Dancer, the third stakes on July 19.

"I passed on a $100,000 race at Woodbine," said trainer John Simms, "even though the seven furlongs was an ideal distance for her. I just don't like racing them back in 12 days.

"The 1 1/16 miles may not be her best distance but she is in good form," he said. "I'm looking hard at the race."

Radio show to continue

The weekly five-hour live racing program, aired by Buffalo radio station 1270 AM each Saturday, has been been extended beyond its originally scheduled nine-week run, according to program creator and host Robert Saviola. The show, using Fort Erie's in-house TV production as a base, made its debut June 7.

"We are going to go at least another nine weeks, right through September," said Saviola, a professional hypnotherapist. He has a practice in Snyder, a suburb of Buffalo. He also does a weekly interview show on the same station.

The Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario and Fort Erie Racetrack are the program's major sponsors.