by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- There's a lot of hope and promise on
Wednesday night (July 1) at Buffalo Raceway as many of the 2-year-old filly
pacers kick off their careers in three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes
worth $36,566 each.
Of the 21 filly pacers entered, only four have had a
pari-mutuel start. The remaining 17 have had a couple of 'baby' races or
qualifiers but that's it. With the hours of preparation in getting them to the
races now completed, it's time for the ladies to strut their stuff. And for
those who are successful, they will find a large paycheck awaiting them at the
finish line along with some happy owners, trainers and drivers.
The Sire Stakes will go off as the second, third and fifth
races on the solid 12-race program that is scheduled for 5 p.m.
With nine records either broken or tied at Buffalo Raceway
this season, the freshmen fillies will be taking dead aim on 1:56.3 standard
set in 2011 by Silk Purse and tied in 2012 by Summertime Lea.
The sire Roll With Joe has nine off-spring entered in the
stakes event while Art Major follows with five, Rock N Roll Heaven four and
American Ideal three.
The first event features a field of six who not have a
pari-mutuel start between them. Gotmyredressontnit gets the early nod at 5-2
after putting in a 1:55.3 time in a baby race at Pocono Downs over a sloppy
track on June 19. Jason Bartlett gets the call aboard the Janice Connor-trained
Gotmyredressontnit (Roll With Joe-Western Top Cat) and will start from the six
post.
Rockin Date, a $47,000 purchase from the Lexington Sales
last year, is the second choice at 3-1 with Sire Stakes leading driver Jim
Morrill Jr. in the bike. Starting from the five hole, Rockin Date (Art
Major-Rockin Beauty) is trained by Ron Burke and finished in fourth place
behind Gotmyredressontnit in her last prep. Morrill Jr. has 13 victories this
season on the Sire Stakes circuit and nearly $450,000 in purse earnings.
The second leg is a wide open affair with a field of seven
heading to the post. Angels Rockn Pink is 3-1 morning line choice with John
MacDonald to be in the sulky. Arriving from Vernon Downs for trainer Homer
Hostetler, Angels Rockn Pink was impressive in winning her two qualifiers at
Vernon. She last won by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:55.4 back on June 19.
Soft Idea, a $70,000 purchase at the Lexington Sales, draws
the six post for trainer Linda Toscano and driver Scott Zeron. Soft Idea
(American Ideal-Walk Softly) went 1:58.4 in her last tuneup, winning by 2-1/2
lengths.
Buffalo Raceway's leading driver Kevin Cummings gets the
call on Vino And Formaggio off the rail. Sitting at 4-1 on the line, Vino And
Formaggio (Art Major-Pasta LaVista) has gone wire-to-wire in her two qualifying
victories at the Meadows.
The final division features Encore Deo, a $100,000 buy at
Lexington. The Burke-trained Encore Deo, coupled with Dime A Dance (Roll With
Joe-Hat Dance), starts from the five post and gets the services of Cummings.
Encore Deo (Rock N Roll Heaven-Docdor Cameo) hopes to start earning her keep
begin what could be an solid career.
The main danger to the Burke entry could be Ghost Runner
(Art Major-Spirit Of The West). She gets the pylons for trainer/driver Tom
Jackson and is the 5-1 second pick. She finished sixth at Pocono Downs in
1:55.1 in her last appearance.
The card also will feature a pair of Excelsior 'A' Series
races and a race in the Excelsior 'B' Series.
Also on tap on the stellar card includes the $10,500
Open Trot, the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace, and the $8,500 Fillies and
Mares Open II Pace.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
