by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Justgottogetthere pulled the surprise
while Bazooka Terror used a new tactic to highlight their victories in the
co-featured events at Buffalo Raceway Wednesday night (January 28).
In the $10,500 Open Trot, Justgottogetthere was thinking
that down the stretch and 'just got there' in time in holding off a flying
Second Hand News by a head, posting the $39.00 upset victory in 1:59.3.
Bazooka Terror ($7.40) in the meantime is usually a
hard-charging closer. Things were different in the $10,500 Fillies and Mares
Open Pace this week as driver Kevin Cummings took the 6-year-old mare to the
lead from the eight post and scored the front-running half-length win over
Memumsnotnice in 1:57.0 over the good track.
Justgottogetthere (Jim McNeight) sat the pocket behind the
pace-setting Lutetium, who set fractions of 29.0, 59.1 and 1:29.3 in the Open
Trot. Taking the lead midway down the lane, Justgottogetthere had just enough
left in the tank to fend off Second Hand News (Frank Milby), who was hindered
just a bit at the top of the stretch by a breaking Southwind Warsaw. Lutetium
held on for the show spot.
Owned by Antonietta Landi and North Creek Racing LLC, it was
the 20th career victory for Justgottogetthere, who has now earned $143,732
lifetime. Jerry Nugent Jr. trained the winner.
Bazooka Terror took almost a quarter-mile to get to the top
in the Fillies and Mares Open Pace and once she did, she proved more than
capable of going gate-to-wire. After posting a brisk 28.3 opening panel,
Cummings was able to control the tempo and never looked back.
Memumsnotnice (Billy Dobson) made a mild rally late at
Bazooka Terror but finished a non-threatening half-length back at the wire
while Up Front Cruiser (Milby) placed third.
It was the second win in three starts this season for
Bazooka Terror and upped her seasonal earnings to $11,340. She is owned by
Leonard Segall and is trained by James Clouser Jr.
The racing resumes on Friday night with another 13-race card
slated for 6:35 p.m.
