by Brian J. Mazurek,
for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It was quite a night once again for driver
Jim Morrill Jr. and he brought trainer JD Perrin along for the ride as the pair
absolutely dominated the action on Friday night (April 15) at Buffalo
Raceway.
Morrill Jr. put up
another seven-bagger and amazingly moved
into a first place tie in the driver's standings with 51 victories in just 107
starts. He tied the injured Jack Flanigen
who also has 51 wins but in 263 tries. Morrill Jr. finished in the money in all
10 drives.
It was the third time this season Morrill Jr. has had a
seven-win night at Buffalo Raceway. He accomplished it on March 3 and March 25
and also did it twice before on March 1, 2013 and February 15, 2006.
Kevin Cummings holds the all-time mark at the track with
eight victories on June 11, 2005.
And for Perrin, the three-time defending training champion
at the Hamburg half-mile oval, he extended his huge advantage in the
standings with a five-win night. He holds a 47-26 lead over Maria Rice who
conditioned a pair of winners.
The Morrill Jr.-Perrin combination won five times as Precise
Accusation ($3.50), Leave Your Mark ($3.90), Aberarder Smitty ($2.60), Bruener
($7.00) and Herbie Is Gone ($7.80) all went to the winner's circle.
In the feature, Noble Legend literally caught a 'good break'
and took Buffalo Raceway's $8,200 trot.
Kahoku had an
unfortunate miscue which helped Noble Legend take the two-length victory over
the favored Ali De Vie in 1:58.3 over the fast track.
The race around the final turn and into the stretch seemed
to belong to the front-stepping Kahoku
(Ron Beback Jr.) as he enjoyed a
comfortable two-length advantage over Noble Legend. Things changed in a hurry
however as Kahoku broke stride, allowing
the pocket-sitting Noble Legend to take command and cruise home to the victory.
Ali De Vie (Morrill Jr.) took second
while Kahoku regrouped in time and
managed to roll into the show position.
Owned by Vogel &
Wags Nags Stable and Jack Rice, Noble Legend (Kadabra-Lovin It) has now earned $17,854 in 2016 thanks
to four wins in nine starts. The 4-year-old gelding is trained by Maria Rice.
Racing will continue on Saturday night with an 11-race
program set to go to the post at 6 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
