by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N. Y. --- It was sure a zany three-race stretch at
Buffalo Raceway Friday night (April 10) as three long shots found their way to
the winner's circle.
The fourth through sixth races were definitely as wild as
could be with the average win mutuel being $105.15.
Wrangler Rockstar (John Cummings Jr.) started out the long
shot parade in the fourth race with a stunning $63.00 victory to kick off the
first half of the mid daily double.
Diditagainhanover wasn't going to be outdone as Ron Beback
Jr. steered the 7-year-old gelding to a $240.50 shocker in the back half of the
double. It was the largest win price of the season at Buffalo Raceway and it
also prompted a unique daily double payoff of 6-all for $79.50 on a $2 wager.
The victory by Diditagainhanover was also the opening leg of
the Pick-4 which returned $32.37 on the winning combination of 8-5-2-3 with
just 3-of-4 needed for 50 cents.
Sunday Star (Shawn Gray) then posted a $21.00 decision in
the sixth race before things settled down.
The Niatross Knockout Claiming 'B' Series continues Saturday
night with the quarter-finals. The top four finishers in each of the four
$6,000 divisions will move on to the semi-finals on Saturday, April 18. All
starters can be claimed for $6,000, mares for $7,200 this week.
Full Circle Spirit is the 3-1 morning line favorite in the
opener of the Series, scheduled for the ninth race, as Drew Monti takes hold of
the reins. The 10-year-old gelding posted a 1:57.4 victory but could be tested
by the pace-setting mare Ms Luck who drew the pylons.
Dedalos, the winner of the Niatross 'A' Series back on March
7, gets the nod in the next division. Ready to go from the six post, Buffalo
Raceway's leading driver Kevin Cummings will be aboard the 3-1 favorite Dedalos
who notched a winning mark of 1:57.3 last week.
The toughest leg could be the third, scheduled as the 12th,
where Nora Lee (Monti) and K C Colt (Jimmy Whittemore) will tangle. Both are
coming off victories in their preliminary round last week. They aren't the
favorites, however, as rail-sitting Wainui Tabman N (Cummings Jr.) gets the
slight early 3-1 edge.
Secluded Island enters on a three-race win streak and looks
to expand on that after drawing the rail in the 13th race. Secluded Island had
the fastest time last week with a 1:57.1 mark and will have Beback Jr. in the
bike.
The $10,500 Open Pace will open the 6:35 p.m.card with
Western Alumni the 2-1 morning line pick. Scoring from the two post, Western
Alumni will have Jim McNeight driving. His main competition should come from
Cobble Beach who made his seasonal debut at Buffalo Raceway last week a winning
one with a 1:55.2 mile.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results and upcoming promotions go to www.buffaloraceway.com
