by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Buffalo Raceway kicks off its final week
of the 2016 season on Wednesday night (July 20) with the 2-year-old colt and
gelding pacers ready to clash in three $36,566 divisions of the New York Sire
Stakes.
Trainer Ron Burke is bringing in four promising youngsters
and they all have been tabbed the morning line favorite in their respective
divisions. He's bringing in Rock It Scott, Major Key, Miso Fast and Offdahook
Bluechip to the Hamburg half-mile oval for the event.
With 10 track records either tied or broken this season at
Buffalo Raceway, the standard for the 2-year-old colt and geldings is on the
line. He's Watching holds the colt mark of 1:55.4 established in 2013 while
Roadside Delight has the gelding mark of 1:56.3 set in 2010.
In the first division, Burke has an entry of Rock It Scott
(Roll With Joe-Vanite Semalu) and Major Key (Art Major-Capri Hanover).They are
the 2-1 top choice.
Matt Kakaley gets the call aboard Rock It Scott who easily
wired the field at Saratoga on July 8 in the Sire Stakes. Starting from the
rail, Rock It Scott won by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:54.3. They'll get the inside post
once again in hopes of an instant replay.
Kevin Cummings will be behind Major Key who was seventh in
his only start of his career after drawing the seven post. Major Key will get a
better starting position this week as he got the four slot.
The main competition could come from Windsong Napoleon (Art
Major-Bunny Dearest) with Jody Jamieson in the bike. Windsong Napoleon lost by
a neck in 1:53.1 on July 11 at Mohawk Raceway. The Carl Jamieson-trained colt
will start from the five post.
In the second leg, Miso Fast (Roll With Joe-Sakura Hanover)
headlines the field after burying the field on July 8 in the Sire Stakes at
Saratoga Raceway. He posted an impressive 3-1/2 length decision in 1:54.3.
Kakaley will steer Miso Fast, the 8-5 morning line choice, from the six spot.
Leading driver at Buffalo Raceway Jim Morrill Jr. will try
and contend with Outkast Blue Chip (Rock N Roll Hanover-Armbro Savannah). In
his career debut, Outkast Blue Chip started from the seven position and managed
to work out a fourth place finish. They'll try their luck from the three hole
this time around.
The final division finds Offdahook Bluechip the 5-2 choice
after a fast closing second place finish to Music In Art on July 8 at Saratoga.
Starting from the three post with Kakaley in the sulky on Wednesday, Offdahook
Hanover (American Ideal-Stefani Blue Chip) should be loving the long stretch at
Buffalo Raceway.
Zampara put in a stellar performance in a $15,000 Excelsior
A Series event at Saratoga on July 8 with a wire-to-wire victory in 1:54.3. Pat
Lachance will guide Zampara (American Ideal-Valobesta) from the inside post and
could be tough from the pylons.
Outrajus Blue Chip had tough luck in his career debut. He
was interfered with at the start and lost all hope but finished sixth after
trailing by more than 14 lengths. Morrill Jr. will drive Outrajus Blue for
trainer Aaron Lambert.
There will also be three $15,000 Excelsior A Series races
and two $6,500 contests in the Excelsior B Series on the card.
The Claiming Championship finals will also be contested. The
first bracket is for filly and mare pacers ($8,000-$12,500 claiming price) who
will tangle for the $14,800 purse while the other final features the filly and
mare pacers ($4,000-$7,000 claiming price) who will go for $10,000.
The 12-race program gets underway at 5 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
