by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- After getting caught in the 'Buffalo
shuffle', Major Marcus shook free from traffic woes in the stretch to pull out
a neck win over Nothingbutmach in the featured $9,500 conditioned pace at
Buffalo Raceway Saturday night (February 28).
In the semi-finals of the Niatross Knockout Claiming Series,
Delightful Caitlin scored a $20.00 shocker over the heavily-favored One Chaser
in the first division while It Was An Honor who went gate-to-wire in the second
leg.
Major Marcus ($8.90) was hung up in all kinds of traffic
through three-quarters of a mile but driver Drew Monti never gave up and was
able to find some racing room in the stretch to nail the never-say-die
Nothingbutmach (Shawn Gray) at the wire in a time of 1:57.2. Bakken (Ray Fisher
Jr.) took the show position.
It was the first start of the season for Major Marcus and
his initial appearance at Buffalo Raceway. The 6-year-old gelding is owned by
Clayton Faurot Jr. and is trained by Darren Taneyhill.
In the first division of the Niatross Knockout Series,
Delightful Caitlin was able to track down the 1-9 favorite One Chaser in deep
stretch to pace off with the three-quarter length victory. One Chaser (Kevin
Cummings) set the fractions of 29.2, 1:00.0 and 1:30.0 but couldn't stop the
late rally of Delightful Caitlin (Ron Beback Jr.), who stopped the timer in
1:59.1. Jettison (Gray) took the show money.
It was a different story in the second division as It Was An
Honor (John Cummings Jr.) was able to hold off the late bid of Shaolin Master
by a diminishing neck in 1:58.4, the quickest of the two legs. Dedalos (Monti)
was just a length back in third.
The top four finishers in each division will return next
Saturday for the $25,000 finals. The field will include semi-final winners
Delightful Caitlin and It Was An Honor along with One Chaser, Jettison, Nora
Lee, Shaolin Master, Dedalos and Goddess's Justin.
There will also be a $10,000 consolation race next Saturday
for those not qualifying for the finals.
Racing will continue on Wednesday night at Buffalo Raceway
with a 13-race program set to go to the post at 5 p.m.
For more information including race replays, the latest
news, results and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
