by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Diamond Cowboy put in a gem of an effort
on Saturday night (Feb. 6) to prevail in Buffalo Raceway's featured $10,000
Open Pace by beating a stubborn Beach Hero by 3/4 lengths in 1:55.4.
After finishing a disappointing sixth as the heavy favorite
in last week's Open, Diamond Cowboy rebounded nicely for driver/trainer Shawn
Gray to score the $14.40 mild upset victory. It was his second Open Pace win in
three attempts this season.
It was a battle for the lead to the half mile marker as
Beach Hero parked out Lucky Nadotremblay. A 57.1 opening circuit took the
starch out of Lucky Nadotremblay but Beach Hero continued to roll.
Things started to develop on the backstretch the final time.
Diamond Cowboy, who was assigned the outside eight post, made a three-wide
brush to the three-quarter pole to pull on even terms with Beach Hero (Truman
Gale). In the battle down the lane, the pair were stride-for-stride until
Diamond Cowboy managed to nudge ahead late. Beach Hero had to settle for a
tough luck second place while Youwillwishyouhad (David McNeight III) took
third.
Owned by William Emmons, Diamond Cowboy (Six Of
Diamonds-Money For Munchkin) is a 7-year-old gelding with $10,000 in earnings
in 2016 and $404,915 lifetime.
In the opening round of the Niatross Knockout Claiming
Series, Aberarder Smitty and Flashy Trick shared the fastest times in the five
divisions with a 1:58.3 clockings. Other winners were Midas Blue Chip (1:59.1),
First Of Fun (1:58.4) and Mach It Paid (1:59.3).
Jim McNeight, Jack Flanigen, David McNeight III and Gray
each scored two victories on the night while David McNeight Jr. and Russell
Bratt had training doubles.
Racing will resume Wednesday night at Buffalo Raceway with a
12-race program slated for 5 p.m.
