HAMBURG, N.Y. --- George P Hanover made every step a winning
one Saturday night (March 1) and registered a head victory over Kamanche Sun in
the $28,250 Niatross Knockout Claiming Series Pace final at Buffalo Raceway.
Scoring from the three post, George P Hanover (David
McNeight III) set the pace over the fast track with fractions of 28.3, 57.3 and
1:27.1 and had Kamanche Sun (Aaron Byron) breathing down his neck the entire
mile. In deep stretch, he had just enough left in the tank to hold off the
stubborn Kamanche Sun and third place finisher Major Glass (Kevin Cummings),
the post time favorite.
Owned and trained by Earl Kirbis Jr., the 6-year-old gelded
George P Hanover has now won three starts in six appearances in 2014 and
improved his seasonal bankroll to $21,362 and $112,396 lifetime.
In the $10,000 Niatross Knockout Claiming Series Pace
consolation race, Catalina Kid scored the $26.20 upset victory in 1:59 with
Jack Flanigen in the sulky. Bob's Alibi (Billy Dobson) finished second while
Martin Hanover (Rock Vinci) took the show dough.
Dont Say Goodby posted the fastest mile of the 2014 season
at Buffalo Raceway with a 1:55.1 in registering a length win over Beechwood
Wayne in the co-featured $10,500 Open Pace.
Starting from the inside, Dont Say Goodby (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.)
scooted immediately to the front and put up a scorching half mile time of 56.3.
In the stretch, Dont Say Goodby ($4.40) had built a comfortable two length lead
and held off the challenge of Beechwood Wayne (Ron Beback Jr.) and B Lo Zero
(Ray Fisher Jr.).
The victory was the third in five starts this year for Dont
Say Goodby, who is owned by Derek Menchhofer and trained by Charles Stewart.
The win increased his season winnings to $15,750 and $182,239 lifetime.
Racing will resume on Wednesday night at Buffalo Raceway with
a 12-race program to begin at 5 p.m.
For more information including race replays, results, news
and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com/
by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
