by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Serendipitious proved she was better
than the boys in the $7,900 conditioned/optional claiming trot at Buffalo
Raceway on Wednesday night (April 22) and made sure her male counterparts won't
soon forget it. Serendipitious, not only destroyed the field of geldings by
five lengths, she went the mile in track record time of 1:58.1, the fastest
ever by a trotting mare at the Hamburg half-mile oval.
The previous all-aged mark for mares was 1:58.2 set by
Escrow Blue Chip in 2012. The 1:58.1 time by Serendipitious also established a
new standard for 4-year-old trotting mares at Buffalo Raceway. The old time for
that level was 1:58.4 held by Hat (2011), Clydabell (2012) and Sabo (2012).
Driver Kevin Cummings was a hit with the ladies in the early
going as he sent Serendipitious to the record-setting mile. A Cameo In Life
($8.70) then made a clean sweep for Cummings in the early daily double by
rolling to a 1-3/4 length decision in 1:58 in the co-featured $8,500 Open II
for the distaff pacers.
Serendipitious ($2.90) started off the night impressively in
scoring a five-length decision, earning her third win in four tries in 2015.
The track was fast but a raw wind, temperatures in the low 40s and occasional
rain and snow showers made the record even more remarkable.
Serendipitious had little trouble going gate-to-wire.
Scoring from the four post, Cummings went right to the top with the winner,
facing no resistance. Posting fractions of 29.0, 49.0 and 1:29.0, the outer
flow started to develop just before the three-quarter marker. That's when
Serendipitious got her cue to put it into high gear. She had no issues in
the stretch, going 29.1 in the final panel. September Hall (Shawn McDonough)
and Studio City (Ron Beback Jr.) were left to battle it out for the minor spoils
and finished in second and third respectively.
Owned by Guy Polillo and trained by John Mungillo,
Serendipitious (Majestic Son-Royal B G) has now earned $11,948 this season and
$71,347 in her young career.
In the co-featured second race, A Cameo In Life completed
the 4-2 Cummings' daily double combination that returned $14.00. Sitting third
down the back stretch the final time, A Cameo In Life tipped to the outside,
brushing easily to the lead and never looked back from there.
Eyemajet (Shawn Gray) finished in second while Wicked
Elphaba (Ray Fisher Jr.) took the show position.
Owned by Clark Siminski and trained by Kirk Desmond, A Cameo
In Life (Lease On Life-Allamerican Cameo) has now put $20,938 in the bank this
year and $80,028 lifetime. It was the fifth win in 13 attempts for the
6-year-old A Cameo In Life.
Cummings and Gray finished with three victories apiece while
Jack Flanigen doubled.
Racing will continue on Friday night with a 12-race card set
for 6:35 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
