by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Western Alumni got a perfect
pocket-sitting trip from driver Jim McNeight and notched a surprising $46.40
victory in 1:54.2 over a fast track in the $10,500 Open pace at Buffalo Raceway
Saturday night (May 23).
With the field shortened to five due to the scratch of
Jokerman, Western Alumni tried to take the top from outside. The
heavily-favored and rail-riding Cobble Beach, however, was ready and willing to
hand out some parking tickets.
Western Alumni was throttled down and managed to find a seat
in the garden spot just before the quarter-pole as Cobble Beach (Kevin
Cummings) was in charge of the fractions with times of 28.1, 57.0 and
1:26.0.
With a final panel to go, Western Alumni tipped from the
outside and managed to wear down second place finisher Cobble Beach by a length
in 1:54.2. Rockstar Temper (Drew Monti) took the show spot.
Owned by North Creek Racing LLC and trained by Jerry Nugent
Jr., Western Alumni (Western Hanover-Countryview Miss) now has three victories
in 2015. It moved the 7-year-old gelding's earnings to $24,226 this year and
$233,714 lifetime.
In the $9,500 Open II pace, Lucky Nadotremblay ($4.10) found
the front end to his liking as he went gate-to-wire in 1:54.3.
Scoring from the rail, Lucky Nadotremblay (Jack Flanigen)
had no issues getting the lead and posted times of 28.3, 58.0 and 1:26.3. There
were a line of pacers ready for the stretch drive but Lucky Nadotremblay had an
extra gear and held back the remaining field of four at bay.
Unicorn Hanover (Shawn McDonough) managed to get up for the
place spot a`-`/4 lengths back with Peenie (Shawn Gray) in third.
Co-owned by Paul and Ronald Louis Viele, Lucky Nadotremblay
(Blissfull Hall-Periella Hanover) has now four wins on the campaign and $31,194
in the bank. The 5-year-old horse also has made $93,583 in his career.
Racing resumes on Wednesday night at Buffalo Raceway with a
13-race card scheduled for 5 p.m.
The New York Sire Stakes makes its first appearance of the
season on Wenesday with the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers set to square
off in three divisions worth $39,000 each. There will also be several Excelsior
Series events on tap as well in both the 'A' and 'B' classifications.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
