by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG,N.Y. --- Driver Drew Monti tied a career-high in his
young career for wins on a race program as he posted five to steal the
spotlight at Buffalo Raceway on Friday night (April 17)
The 20-year-old Monti, who sits in third place in the
Buffalo Raceway driver's standings, has now 65 wins on the year.
Monti produced victories aboard Ooga Booga ($6.20), Initial
Strike ($5.80), PC Troubadour ($4.90), Dalton Hanover ($5.10) and Ramblin Rick
($3.40).
Shawn Gray, who is in second place in the standings, had a
driving double. Gray trails leader Kevin Cummings 113-67 in the rankings.
The semi-finals of the Niatross Knockout Claiming 'B' Series
will be held Saturday night and will go off in the seventh and ninth races.
Both divisions have a $7,000 purse with all carrying a claiming tag of $7,000
(mares $8,000). The top four finishers in each leg will return on Saturday,
April 25th for the estimated $25,000 finale.
The first division looks on paper to be the toughest with
three winners from last week's quarterfinals to square off. Dedalos, who
captured the Niatross 'A' Series in early March, is one of those winners after
posting a 1:58.1 time. He'll start from the four post with Jim McNeight in the
sulky and is listed as the 4-1 third choice.
Jettison is the 5-2 morning line pick after registering
a 1:57.2 win. John Cummings Jr. will take the reins and will score from
the three hole. Full Circle Spirit also comes in off a quarterfinal victory
with a 1:58.2 mile. Drew Monti will get the drive as Full Circle Spirit draws
the six post and is listed at 6-1.
Goddess's Justin, who drew the rail, is the second choice at
3-1 for Ron Beback Jr. Goddess's Justin suffered a narrow 3/4-length defeat at
the hands of Dedalos last week and hopes to turn the tables thid time around.
In the second division, Nora Lee was the lone winner from
last week in the race and is listed the 7-2 selection from the three post.
Cummings Jr. will drive Nora Lee who went the mile in 1:58.1 last Saturday.
Secluded Island (Jack Flanigen) is the morning line choice
at 3-1. Getting the two post, Secluded Island fizzled out last week in the lane
and had to settle for second, 1-1/2 lengths behind Jettison.
Sandwiched in between the Niatross Series races will be the
$9,500 conditioned pace where Western Alumni is fresh off a 1:54.0 victory in
last week's $10,500 Open. McNeight will guide Western Alumni from the six post
as the 2-1 morning line favorite. He'll be battling Mach Stockn Barrel who has
the seven post and is victorious in 7-of-11 events on the season.
First post Saturday night for the 12-race program is 6:35
p.m.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
