by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Western Alumni turned in the fastest mile
of the season at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (April 11)) by going
gate-to-wire to take the featured $10,500 Open Pace in 1:54.0.
Starting from the two post, Western Alumni (Jim McNeight) went
right to the lead and forced the remaining field of six to try and track him
down. It didn't happen.
Western Alumni ($10.80) put upsolid fractions of 28.4, 58.0
and 1:25.4 and used a final 28.1 panel over the fast track to hold off the the
mild rally of second place finisher Cobble Beach (John Cummings Jr.) while
Giant Sculpture (Shawn Gray) took the show spot.
Owned by North Creek Racing LLC and trained by Jerry Nugent
Jr., it was the second victory of the season for Western Alumni (Western
Hanover-Countryview Miss). The 7-year-old gelding has now banrolled $16,346 in
2015 and $226,644 lifetime.
In the quarterfinals of the Niatross Knockout Claiming 'B'
Series, Jettison (Gray) had the fastest winning time of the of four divisions
with a 1:57.2 tour over the Buffalo Raceway half-mile oval. Jettison returned
$4.00 for the victory.
Dedalos ($6.20), the winner of the 'A' series earlier this
season, took his bracket with a 1:58.1 clocking for driver Kevin Cummings.
Driver Drew Monti took two legs with Nora Lee ($4.30)
capturing her division with a 1:58.1 mile while Full Circle Spirit ($5.40) was
on top at the end in his race with a 1:58.2 mark.
The top four finishers in each division will return this
Saturday night for the semi-final round.
Racing will resume at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday evening
with a 12-race program slated to get underway at 6:35 p.m.
For more information including upcoming promotions, race
replays, results and the latest news, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
