by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- The old saying goes, 'Records were made to
be broken'. At Buffalo Raceway, that cliche is sure holding true.
For the eighth time this season, a track record was broken
on the lightning fast half-mile oval at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg.
There already have been seven different divisional standards re-established in
2015
Wednesday night (June 10) in the $9,500 conditioned trot,
Winkys Pride had the honors of getting her name in the record book with a
1:57.2 time over the fast track. The time broke the trotting mark for all-aged
mares of 1:58.1 set on April 22, 2015 by Serendipitious and the aged (5+) mare
standard of 1:58.2 set by Escrow Blue Chip in 2012.
Driver Drew Monti set reasonable marks with Winkys Pride
($5.90), putting up times of 29.2, 59.1 and 1:29.0. But the clincher was the
last panel as Monti had Winkys Pride in high gear, posting a 28.2 last quarter.
It put away second place finisher Diamonds For Life (Cummings) and Justgottogetthere
(Jim McNeight) who took third.
Owned and trained by Robert Hummel, the 7-year-old
Winkys Pride (Amigo Hall-Winky's Smile) has now won four times in nine
tries this season, putting $14,527 in the bank. It also moved her career
earnings to $186,062.
Don Rothfuss doesn't climb in the sulky very much these days
but after the drive he gave It's De Lovely in the $9,500 Open II pace for the
fillies and mares, he should consider a comeback.
Looking hopelessly boxed in by several horses in
mid-stretch, Rothfuss squeezed It's De Lovely through a narrow gap and she did
the rest after that, pacing away to a half-length win over A Cameo In Life in
1:56.4 over the fast track.
For Rothfuss, it was only his 10th start in the bike this
season and was his first victory. It was also the first win for him at Buffalo
Raceway since 2010.
A Cameo In Life (Kevin Cummings) took command from the start
and set the tempo with fractions of 27.1, 58.4 and 1:28.0. Eyemajet (Shawn
Gray) drafted along in the pocket, dipped to the passing lane, and looked like
the major threat in mid-stretch. Those two seemed to destined to duke it out to
the wire, but It's De Lovely had other ideas. She found a small seam and zoomed
on past to notch the $18.20 victory. A stunned A Cameo In Life held on for
second while Eyemajet took the show spot.
Co-owned by Michael and Howard Ouriel and trained by
Rothfuss, It's De Lovely (Four Starzz Shark-Reflect Upon Life) has now scored
four victories in 14 starts in 2015, earning $22,715 on the year. It also
jacked up the classy 8-year-old mare's lifetime earnings to $630,667.
For 18-year-old Wade Tomaszewski, it was a memorable night
for him as he scored his first pari- mutual victory of his career by taking
V'La Faire gate-to-wire in 1:56.4, returning $4.60 as the favorite. Tomaszewski
has been knocking on the door for his first win. He was in the money in 4-of-8
career starts before registering his first win in his ninth appearance.
The 10-race card was marred by an accident a the start of
the sixth race, which was declared a 'no-contest' by the judges. There were no
serious injuries to either horses or drivers.
Racing will continue on Friday night with a 10-race card
slated for 6:35 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
