by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. ---Helena's Hope ($11.00) and Kisses N Kicks
($3.70) were the queens in the finals of the inaugural Claiming Championship
Series at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (May 4) as each found the winner's
circle in their respective divisions.
Helena's Hope took the $10,000 filly and mare pacing
category for claimers $4,000-$7,000 in 1:57.3 while Kisses N Kicks captured the
$8,000-$12,500 bracket in 1:57.3 for the distaff pacers in the race worth
$14,800. Both winners posted seasonal marks in their victories.
The Claiming Series is based on gait, gender and claiming
prices with horses earning points since the season began back in January. The
top eight point earners in each division then battle it out for a purse that is
approximately doubled than what they normally race for. The final five
divisions will be held on Saturday night and a new Claiming Championship Series
will begin next week and ending in July.
In the first event, Helena's Hope sat the pocket behind the
heavily-favored Iwannabejustlikeu who cut the fractions of 28.2, 58.2 and
1:28.0. But in the stretch, driver Todd Cummings found plenty of room in the
passing lane with Helena's Hope to take the lead. They had to hold back the
late charge of Delightful Caitlin (Ron Beback Jr.) who finished in second 3/4
lengths back. Iwannabejustlikeu (Ray Fisher Jr.) took the show spot.
Owned by Maurice Bazinet and trained by JD Perrin, it was
the fifth victory in 13 starts for Helena's Hope (Dream Away-Windy Witch). The
7-year-old mare has made $17,150 in 2016 and $148,951 lifetime.
In the other race, Kisses N Kicks went wire-to-wire and held
off stablemate Heavenly Place (David McNeight III) by 3/4 lengths while Voltina
finished in third.
Kisses N Kicks went out and put up fractions of 29.0, 59.3
and 1:29.2. She looked like she was in a heap of trouble coming around the
final turn as Heavenly Place and Voltina (Kevin Cummings) were converging in.
But driver Jim Morrill Jr. kept Kisses N Kicks on task and they managed to hold
for the victory.
Kisses N Kicks (Life Sign-Kissing Rain) is owned by Courtney
McNeight and trained by David McNeight Jr. The win was the fourth of the year
for the 8-year-old mare, moving her bankroll to $22,200 this season and
$217,801 in her career.
Kevin Cummings and Todd Cummings each doubled in the bike
while trainer Allan McCarty had two victories.
Racing will continue on Friday night with an 11-race card
set for 5 p.m. Buffalo Raceway will be holding a benefit Chicken BBQ on Friday
night from noon until 8 p.m. in the clubhouse. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds
will benefit the Food Bank of Western New York.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
