by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Jettison was sent off as the heavy 1-9
favorite in the $25,000 Niatross Invitational Pace at Buffalo Raceway Saturday
night (May 9) and the 6-year-gelding didn't disappoint on that promise in
delivering a 1-1/2 length decision in 1:56.1 over the fast track.
Using a big closing kick to take the Niatross Knockout
Claiming 'B' Series title back on April 25th, Jettison ($2.30) powered his way
past Goddess's Justin (Shawn Gray) and Secluded Island (Jack Flanigen) in the
stretch to take the Invitational title.
"He was loaded and I was confident coming off the
(final) turn that no one was going to catch him," winning driver Kevin
Cummings said of Jettison. "I wasn't worried at all about (second place
finisher) Goddess's Justin on the inside."
Secluded Island set the tempo with splits of 29.0, 58.0 and
1:27.2 but felt the pressure on the outside at the three-quarter pole. Jettison
was on rim, going eyeball to eyeball with the pace-setter and then easily
pulled away, leaving eventual runner up Goddess's Justin and Secluded Island in
his wake.
Co-owned by Curtis Edholm and the Ultra Racing Stable,
Jettison (Jereme's Jet-Piazzacato) has notched six victories in 15 starts in
2015, earning $40,560. Darren Taneyhill handled the training duties.
Youwillwishyouhad continues to add to his impressive resume
after going gate-to-wire in the co-featured $9,500 conditioned pace in 1:54.4,
tying his seasonal mark. It was his second straight front-running win.
With the victory, Youwillwishyouhad ($6.30) has now won
seven times in 11 appearances this season. Since the beginning of 2014, the
4-year-old gelding has had 39 starts, winning 18 times and finishing out of the
money just seven times.
Assigned the seven post, Cummings was intent on getting to
the lead with Youwillwishyouhad and got there with mild resistance from
Jokerman (Jim McNeight).
Setting the fractions of 28.3, 58.0 and 1:26.3,
Youwillwishyouhad registered a blistering 28.1 final panel which kept the
remaining six competitors a safe distance behind at the wire. Bahama Bay (David
McNeight III) finished in second a non-threatening 1-1/2 lengths behind while
Jokerman took the show spot.
Owned by Leonard Segall and trained by James Clouser Jr.,
Youwillwishyouhad (American Ideal-Shark Tail) has earned $35,690 this year and
$104,857 in his career.
Racing will continue at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night
with a 12-race card set for 5 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
