HAMBURG, N.Y.--- It's been close but no cigar for Delightful
Syd in the $10,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Buffalo Raceway the past two
weeks. She's been knocking on the door with a pair of narrow losses by less
than two combined lengths.
But this week, Delightful Syd ($3.70) got the services of
driver Jim Morrill Jr. and it resulted in a hard-fought head victory over a
game Heavenly Place in a seasonal best time of 1:57 on the fast track Wednesday
night (April 16).
Morrill Jr., making his 2014 debut at Buffalo Raceway,
usually makes the Hamburg half-mile oval his personal playground and Wednesday
night was no different as he registered five victories. Last season, he hit at
nearly a 33 percent clip (58 wins in 183 starts) at Buffalo Raceway.
In the $10,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace feature, he gave
Delightful Syd the perfect trip.
With Fiftyonefifty (Kevin Cummings) setting fractions of
29.1, 59.0 and 1:28.3, Morrill Jr. started his challenge with Delightful Syd
before the half-mile pole, coming out first over. Just by the three-quarter
marker, the 7-year-old mare took over the top and never gave it up. Heavenly
Place (Drew Monti) put up a valiant, however, coming up just a head short at
the wire to finish second while Ugly Betty (Jack Flanigen) placed third.
The victory was the second in seven starts this season for
Delightful Syd, who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama. The
win pushed her earnings to $13,760 in 2014 and $177,189 lifetime.
Kevin Cummings had a driving triple on the night as well.
Racing continues on Friday night at Buffalo Raceway with a
13-race program set for 6:40 p.m.
For more information including upcoming promotions, race
replays, results and news, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
