by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Somebody forgot to tell Instant Riches he
wasn't in the featured or even co-featured race at Buffalo Raceway Saturday
night (June 6).
But Instant Riches ($6.50) didn't care and stole the headlines
anyways with a 1:54.3 victory in a $8,800 conditioned/optional claiming event
which set a new Buffalo Raceway mark for 4-year-old colt pacers, breaking the
old standard of 1:54.4 established in 2006 by Moonstrosity.
After watching Mr. Perserverance hit the opening panel in
27.3, driver Jack Flanigen sent Instant Riches ($6.50) to the lead. They
enjoyed the uneventful remaining three-quarter mile trip in front, scoring a
3/4-length advantage over Mr. Perservance (Shawn Gray), tripping the timer in a
new record of 1:54.3. Burton Blue Chip (Lee Dahn) finished in third.
Owned by Eric Prevost and trained by JD Perrin, Instant
Riches (Whitefish Falls-Boops) has nine wins on the season in 19 attempts,
earning $35,910 in 2015 and $59,960 lifetime.
It may have been a slow opening half-mile produced by Lucky
Nadotremblay but the 5-year-old horse sure put on the after burners in the
payoff half in scoring surprising gate-to-wire 1-1/2 length victory over
Unicorn Hanover in the $10,500 Open Pace.
Starting from the rail, driver Shawn McDonough and Lucky
Nadotremblay had absolutely no challengers for the lead as the field of six
neatly dropped to the inside in numerical order. Setting fractions of 29.1 and
58.1 to the half, Lucky Nadotremblay started to pick up the tempo the second
time around.
The final half mile was a game of catch me if you can that
Lucky Nadotremblay ($19.00) won. Posting a final split of 56.3, the five
challengers had no answer and wre left to battle for the minor spoils. Lucky
Nadotremblay held off Unicorn Hanover (Jack Flanigen) while Western Alumni (Jim
McNeight) finished in third.
Co-owned by Paul and Ronald Viele and trained by Alex
Guiliani, Lucky Nadotremblay (Blissfull Hall-Periella Hanover) has five wins
this year and $36,869 in the bank.
In the co-featured $9,500 Open II Pace, Peenie (Kevin
Cummings) set sail from the rail and coasted to a popular $4.00 victory over
Sand Savage in 1:55.0 over the fast track.
With two horses breaking stride behind the starting gate, Charliesandjimmys
and Junior Pride, Peenie had no problem charging to the top from the pylons.
Setting fractions of 29.0, 58.0 and 1:26.3, Peenie (Kevin Cummings) had no
trouble in holding off any emerging late threats.
Co-owned by trainer John Mungillo and the Decker's Corner
Stable, the 10-year-old gelded Peenie (Real Artist-Tre Cross) has reached the
winner's circle four times in 2015, earning $30,485 and increased his
impressive lifetime earnings to $662,574.
Racing will continue on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. with a
12-race program slated. It is the first Sunday matinee of the season.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
