by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y.--- Sand Savage played the old give-and-go with
Mr. Perserverance and kept right on going to the winner's circle in the
featured $10,500 Open I-II pace at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (June 13).
The victory kept a torrid streak going for the 8-year-old
Sand Savage (Allamerican Native-Sheer Hose). In his last seven starts, he has
five wins and a pair of narrow second place finishes.
Mr. Perserverance (Shawn Gray) managed to get to the top
from the three post but that it was short-lived as the rail-sitting Sand Savage
took command before the quarter pole. Setting splits of 27.4, 57.1 and 1:26.0,
Sand Savage awaited the cavalry charge in the stretch.
While it looked like it might develop, driver Jim McNeight
kept Sand Savage on task and held off Mr. Perserverance and Cobble Beach (Kevin
Cummings), who finished in second and third respectively. The margin of victory
was a length in a time of 1:54.3.
Co-owned by trainer Richard Roth along with Randy and Robert
Roth, Sand Savage has now earned $41,383 in 2015 and $399,667 lifetime.
In the co-featured $8,800 conditioned pace, Burton Blue Chip
(Lee Dahn) used a late kick in the stretch to pull the $25.80 stunner in a
career best of 1:54.2.
It seemed like it was going to be a three-horse battle to
the finish line between Big Bossman, Peenie and Ponyta Boy. But a rousing drive
to the wire by Burton Blue Chip on the far outside made it a four-horse
contest. It turned into a blanket finish with Burton Blue Chip a head in front
in the photo while Peenie (Cummings) and Big Bossman (Gray) ended up in a dead
heat for second.
Burton Blue Chip (American Ideal-Crickets Can Talk) is
co-owned by trainer Lee Dahn and Larry Dahn. It was the second win of the
season for the 6-year-old gelding, now a winner of $16,698 and $97,304
lifetime.
Racing will continue on Sunday afternoon at Buffalo Raceway
with a 10-race card set to begin at 1:05 p.m.
