by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Peter Pumpkineater had the last laugh in
the featured $9,500 conditioned pace at a snowy Buffalo Raceway Saturday
afternoon (February 21) as he rallied in the shadow of the wire to take a head
victory over Peenie in 1:59.3.
After scooting off the gate from the four post, Peter
Pumpkineater looked content to set the fractions. That wasn't going to happen,
however, as Peenie re-took the lead to the opening quarter marker and Peter
Pumpkineater had to settle back into the pocket.
After watching splits of 30.2, 1:01 and 1:31.0 put up by
Peenie, driver John Cummings Jr. dropped Peter Pumpkineater ($7.40) into the
passing lane and managed to poke a head in front at the wire. Peenie (Kevin
Cummings) had to settle for second while Rude Boy (Billy Dobson) took the show
position.
Peter Pumpkineater (Camluck-Disney Dream) is a 7-year-old
gelding co-owned by Tessa Roland and Mark Jakubik. Buffalo Raceway's leading
trainer JD Perrin handled the conditioning duties. The victory moved the
winner's 2015 bankroll to $11,090.
In the co-featured $8,800 conditioned pace, Union Man
Hanover ($6.10) toyed with the field and ran off with an easy 2-3/4 length win
over Bakken in 1:59.4 over the good track.
Union Man Hanover (Cummings) played give-and-go with Art's
Delight and kept right on going to the winner's circle. Bakken (Ray Fisher Jr.)
showed some late kick in the lane to finish in second while Art's Delight
(Frank Milby) hung on for third.
It was the first victory of the season for Union Man Hanover
(Artiscape-Up Front Rose). The 6-year-old horse is owned by Stephen Andzel and
is trained by Alex Giuliani. Union Man Hanover is now a winner of $7,853 this
year.
In the quarterfinals of the Niatross Knocking Claiming
Series, One Chaser ($4.90) put up the fastest time of the four division
winners, going the mile in 2:00.1 with Cummings in the bike.
Shaolin Master (Shawn Gray) took the second leg with a
2:01.1 clocking and returned $5.50. Dragon Ridge ($5.90) won in 2:03.0 with
Dobson in the sulky while Jimmy Whittemore guided Goddess's Justin to a $9.80
victory in 2:03.3 in the final division.
The top four finishers in each race will return next
Saturday night for the semi-finals.
Racing will go back to its normal starting times at Buffalo
Raceway on Wednesday night when a 13-race program goes to the post at 5 p.m.
For more information including race replays, results,
upcoming promotions and the latest news, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
