by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Goosebump Hanover had to battle to get to
the lead but that was the only battle she faced the rest of the way in going
wire-to-wire in 2:01.4 over the fast track to highlight the action in the New
York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old filly trotters at Buffalo Raceway Wednesday
night (July 15).
It was the fastest of four divisions worth over $27,000 each
but well off the track record of 2:00.2 set by Munis Bluechip back in 2009.
Go Mary Go (2:02.1) just kept right on going and never
looked back to take her division while Dolly Drama PV (2:03.2), and Dizzy Broad
(2:05.3) also found their way to the winner's circle on a picture perfect
evening.
After Goosebump Hanover ($8.20) was challenged to the lead
by Swing Royalty, it was all fresh air after that as she never was threatened
to the finish line. Swinging Royalty (Chris Lems) was 1-1/2 lengths behind at
the wire with Threehundredlindys (Jim Morrill Jr.) taking the show spot.
"She was a little touchy at first," Buffalo
Raceway's leading driver Kevin Cummings said of Goosebump Hanover's trip.
"She settled in good after that but I had to ask her a little in the
stretch. She was pretty much in hand at the finish."
Trained by Ron Burke and owned by the Burke Racing Stable,
Silva Stables, Crawford Farms and J. DiScala, it was the first win in two
career starts for Goosebump Hanover (RC Royalty-Good Common Cents).
It was also a gate-to-wire victory for Go Mary Go in the
Sire Stakes opener. Driver Ray Schnittker scored a front-running win on on July
3 at Monticello Raceway and used the same tactic to get the job this week.
Go Mary Go put up fractions of 29.4, 1:01.2 and 1:32.3 in
posting the head victory 2:02.1 over Posterity (Charlie Norris) while Royal
Surprise (Dan Daley) finished in third.
"I'm impressed with her gate speed," Schnittker
said of Go Mary Go (RC Royalty-Michelle's Way), now 2-for-2 in her young career
with both victories coming on a half-mile surface. She is trained and co-owned
by Ray Schnittker, Hero Stables, T. Gerwertz and DM Pepin.
Dolly Drama PV (Lucky Chucky-Massive Drama) won the battle
of attrition in notching a huge $153.50 stunner for driver Jeff Gregory. She
was the only trotting filly not to break stride in the race and that was the
difference in going the mile in 2:03.2.
"She handled the turns perfectly," Gregory said.
"Also, (trainer) Mark Harder put an open bridle on her and I think that
really made a big difference."
Bundle Of Energy (Schnittker) recovered after a break at the
start to take second place while Playtime Lima (Rick Zeron) was third.
It was the first career win for Dolly Drama PV, owned by
Peter Paul Venturini.
Cummings made it a driving double in the Sire Stakes with a
victory aboard Dizzy Broad (Broad Bahn-Portia) in 2:05.3.
Using a first over journey down the backstretch the final
time, Dizzy Broad ($7.50) took advantage of a break by the pace-setting I Will
Take Credit near the three-quarter pole and was able to hang on for the
victory.
"I had to keep her mind on things in the stretch,"
Cummings said of the late going with Dizzy Broad, who is owned and trained by
Noel Daley.
I Will Take Credit (Daley) regrouped in time to finish
second while Crazyasclassic (John Cummings Jr.) took the show position.
In the $15,000 Excelsior 'A' Series races, Outside Court
($11.40) scored for Gregory in 2:03.4 while Lindylicious ($2.60) trotted the
mile in 2:01.2 for Lems.
Linda's Choice ($8.80) was victorious in 2:05.2 in the
$6,600 Excelsior 'B' Series with Gregory in the bike while Lucky Lana took the
non-betting race for Norris in 2:05.3.
Racing will continue on Friday night with a 13-race card
scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, results,
race replays and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
