by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Rain, wind and a sloppy track was a
winning combination for Rockstar Temper ($8.00) as he took the $10,500 Open
Pace in convincing fashion at Buffalo Raceway Saturday night (June 27), beating
Unicorn Hanover by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:58.1.
The heavily-favored Youwillwishyouhad (Kevin Cummings) was
parked to the opening panel in the feature and needed a wicked 27.3 first split
to reach the lead. The hot fractions of 58.0 and 1:28.3 over the sloppy going
would eventually be costly for the front runner.
Sand Savage (Jim McNeight) was first over going down the
backstretch the final time and Rockstar Temper (Drew Monti) drafted perfectly
behind.
The brutal times took their toll on Youwillwishyouhad as he
threw in the towel at the top of the stretch and Sand Savage had enough as
well.
Rockstar Temper in the meantime was loving the proceedings
and rolled off cover to post the victory. Unicorn Hanover (David McNeight III)
showed late kick to take second while Mr. Perserverance (Shawn Gray) rode the
pylons for third.
Owned by James Caradon and trained by Darrin Monti, Rockstar
Temper has scored four victories in 18 appearances in 2015. The 7-year-old
gelding (Rocknroll Hanover-Dragon Temper) has earned $43,520 this season and
$332,153 lifetime.
Jokerman ($43.40) didn't joke around in the $9,500 Open II
pace by springing a 1-1/2 length upset win over Beachfront in 1:57.2.
After watching a speed duel on the front end between Ain't
No Stoppin' and I C D Moolah, Jokerman was in 'wait and see' mode. Waiting and
seeing the speed crumble, Jokerman was three-wide and winging, rolling in the
stretch for a 1-1/2 length win over Beachfront (McNeight III). Cobble Beach
(Cummings) rallied for the show spot..
Co-owned by trainer Richard Roth along with Randy and Robert
Roth, Jokerman has six victories on the season and $43,894 in the bank. The
6-year-old gelding (American Ideal-Shark Tail) has now made $93,037 in his
career.
Racing will continue on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. with a
12-race card.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
