by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y.--- The New York State Lottery used a tag line "It only takes a dollar and a dream."
Well for the horses, owners and trainers at Buffalo Raceway in the
Niatross Knockout Claiming Series, it takes only a $250 entry fee, some risk,
racing luck and a dream to win some big money by the end of the second weekend
in May.
The popular Niatross Knockout Claiming Series starts up again at
Buffalo Raceway Saturday night with 38 pacers ready to go to the post in five
divisions of the "B".
The $4,000 claimers will eliminate each other the next four weeks
with the purses going up $1,000 each Saturday and the claiming tag increasing
by $1,000 as well. The lone survivor will take home the lion's share of the
approximately $25,000 purse on Saturday, April 25th.
And if that wasn't enough incentive to enter, the top four
finishers in the "B" finale will come back on Saturday, May 9th and
go against the four qualifiers from the "A" series including the
winner Dedalos, Goddess's Justin, It Was An Honor and Delightful Caitlin for a
$25,000 Invitational.
The eliminations start this week with the purse in each leg being
$5,000 and the claiming price of $5,000 (mares are $6,000). Only six will be
eliminated on Saturday, but then half of the fields will be knocked out each
week as the top four finishers move on from each leg until reaching the
Saturday, April 25th championship.
Buffalo Raceway's second leading trainer, John Mungillo, gave some
insight on the Niatross Claiming Series.
"It's definitely a series that the owners like because they
can make some very good money," said Mungillo. "You need some racing
luck with good draws and also hope you don't get a horse claimed out of a race.
If you get stuck with an eight hole, you basically are racing for at least
fourth place or better so you can advance."
Mungillo remembered back in 2011 when he had Iam Billy The Man. He
won the Niatross and did so without winning a leg until the finals. "It
was like moving the chains...you just want to keep moving up and make the next
round. I think Iam Billy The Man finished like fourth, third, second then won
it all off the rail...and never got claimed."
He added, "Iam Billy The Man was one of my favorites and I
think he won about $50,000 that year. That's a lot of money for a $4,000
claimer. It paid a lot of bills. That's a good thing about the Niatross. It's
good money for these horses. The "A" finals went for over
$26,000 earlier this year and even the consolation went for $10,000 which is
quite an incentive to get your horses involved. Now with the $25,000
Invitational added, it's definitely worth it."
When asked about having a horse claimed out of the race in the
series, Mungillo was quick to point out, "Basically you run that risk
every time you enter your horse of the $4,000 caliber when they aren't in the
Niatross. Those level horses normally are in for a price so you always take a
risk of losing it anyways."
And one of the most heart-wrenching parts of the event is after
the race is over when track announcer Michael Carter calls out the claims. You
may be overjoyed with the victory or advancing on, but your horse may be headed
to a new barn with a chance for bigger money and a higher claiming price next
week.
"You can't worry about that part," Mungillo said.
"It's usually a surprise (the claim) unless you've heard something before
the race."
Mungillo made a prediction that there might be a lot of claiming
out of the first round because only six horses are going to be eliminated and
thus 32 will advance with a higher purse and steeper claiming tag in the
quarterfinals."
There were 16 claims made in the "A" event earlier this
year with the most coming in the second round ($6,000 claiming price/$6,000
purse). There were three taken out of the semi-finals for $7,000 and the new
owners were then in line for the $26,200 purse after the $7,000 risk.
Dedalos escaped the claim box and he cruised to the victory in the
finals from the rail for driver Drew Monti to take home the $13,100 first place
check for owner Louis Frascella and trainer Michelle Gramza.
Of the 38 entered for the five divisions on Saturday,
"A" division champion Dedalos and Goddess's Justin are the only two
returning that have already earned a spot in the $25,000 Invitational on May
9th.
And if they are claimed somewhere during the series, the new
owners of Dedalos and Goddess's Justin are in line for the $25,000 Invitational
bid.
It's a great series for the fans to watch and one that the owners
and trainers hope to cash in upon with little collateral damage.
Let the fun begin.
