by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
There was a 22-year gap between drives at Buffalo Raceway
for John Campbell when he finally made a return visit in July of 2015.
Fortunately for harness racing fans in Western New York,
they won't have to wait that long again to see Campbell in the sulky as he
returns to the Hamburg half-mile oval to drive in the New York Sire Stakes for
the 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Wednesday night (July 13).
Campbell's return last season was a good one as he guided
Jewels In Hock to an easy victory in the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old
trotting fillies. While that was his first appearance since 1992, his last
victory at Buffalo Raceway before the win in 2015 was back in 1990.
The 61-year-old Campbell was elected into the Harness Racing
Hall of Fame in 1990, has won over 11,000 races in his career with purse
earnings of almost $293 million. He has won the prestigious Hambletonian and
North America Cup six times apiece and has also taken the Little Brown Jug
three times.
He'll shuffle back to Buffalo on Wednesday and try his luck
in four events with American Cheque and Eastern Promise in the New York Sire
Stakes and Carmen's Fluke and Winter Mint in the Excelsior A series races.
There are four $27,250 divisions for the young male
trotters.
Such An Angel (Credit Winner-Michelle's Angel) drew the
seven post in the opening leg, scheduled as the second race. He beat three of
this week's rivals on June 30 at Monticello Raceway by 2-3/4 lengths in 2:01.1
but did it from the rail. Sam Caruso Jr. will be in the bike again and will
have to maneuver Such An Angel from the outside.
Big Man Ev (Chapter Seven-Possessed By Lindy) finished
second to Such An Angel in his last try and will get the services of Andy
Miller.
Neon Lights (Chapter Seven-Flourescent) looked home free on
June 30 at Monticello but jumped it off in the stretch and finished third but
was disqualified and placed fourth. Chris Lems will be at the controls and will
start from the four post.
Devious Man (Credit Winner-Miss Garland) gets the 3-1
morning line nod in the second division, set as the third race. He just missed
by a neck to Barn Winner last time out and Miller will try and get this one
home from the four spot.
Optimist Blue Chip (Deweycheatumnhowe-Winning Jonlin) was
heavily favored is his career debut but broke stride at the gate and finished a
distant seventh. Jim Morrill Jr. hopes to keep Optimist Blue Chip on his best
behavior as they will start from the seven post.
Money Macintosh (Credit Winner-Apple Plush) gets the five
hole in the sixth race with Miller in the sulky. He was an impressive winner
last time out, posting a two length decision over American Cheque in 2:00.3.
Money Macintosh is the 3-1 choice.
Campbell and American Cheque (Conway Hall-Cheque Lavec) will
got another shot at Money MacIntosh as they will start from the three spot. .
Lindy The Second (Credit Winner-Lundy's Heiress) started
from the eight hole at Monticello on June 30, had the lead but just missed by a
half length and finished third at 27-1 to Barn Winner.
The final division, set at the seventh race, will feature
local hopeful Barn Winner (Credit Winner-Hallmarker). Owned by Steve and Nancy
Pratt of Corfu, N.Y. and Out In The Country Stables of nearby Darien Center,
N.Y., Barn Winner hopes to take advantage of the home cooking.
He's been a perfect 4-for-4 thus far in his young racing
career with three qualifier victories and a New York Sire Stakes win at
Monticello on June 30. Barn Winner covered the mile in 2:00 and also has a
'baby race' win over the Buffalo Raceway surface. Former Hamburg regular Jeff
Gregory will be in town to steer Barn Winner from the two spot.
The main threat could come from Zack's Zoomer (Deweycheatumnhowe-Passageway),
an impressive winner in 1:59.3 at Monticello. Miller will drive him and they
drew the sixth position on the starting gate.
The Buffalo track record for the 2-year-old colt trotters is
1:59.3 set in 2013 by Royal Deceptor while The Lindy Treaty holds the standard
of 2:01.2 established in 2013 for the geldings.
The 14-race card will get underway at 5 p.m. There will also
be a $597 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the fifth race.
