by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- What's Goin On probably had the fans
asking that exact question as he shocked the field in his $36,567 division of
the New York Sire Stakes for the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Buffalo
Raceway on Wednesday night (July 20).
In covering the mile in 1:56.4, the fastest of the three
divisions, What's Goin On (Mark MacDonald) paid a handsome $37.60 to his
faithful backers.
In other Sire Stakes action, driver Jody Jamieson took
Windsong Napoleon straight to the lead and never looked back in registering an
easy 6-1/4 length triumph over Twin B Cowboy (Jim Morrill Jr.) in 1:57.2 while
the heavily-favored Miso Fast (Matt Kakaley) avoided disaster down the
backstretch and was able to track down the pace-setting Americanfirewater
(Jamieson) in 1:57.3.
The winners were short of the track records of He's Watching
(1:55.4) set for the colts in 2013 and Roadside Delight (1:56.3) established in
2010 for the geldings.
In the most shocking result of the night, What's Goin On led
from the start and put up respectable splits of 29.4, 59.4 and 1:29.1. The Mark
Harder-trainee had plenty left in the tank for the last quarter mile as he
paced home in 27.3 to hold off any late threats. This Is My Song (Jamieson)
finished in second while Offdahook Bluechip (Kakaley) finished in third.
Owned by Rick Phillips, the VIP Internet Stable, Deanna
Frost and Mark Harder, it was the first victory for What's Goin On (Roll With
Joe-Shipps Xclamation).
In the first leg, Windsong Napoleon was able to set
fractions of 29.4, 59.3 and 1:29.1 and used a final panel of 28.1 in going
gate-to-wire in disposing of Twin B Cowboy and third place finisher America's
Fleet (Mark MacDonald).
Owned by trainer Carl Jamieson, Thomas Kyron and Douglas
Good, Windsong Napoleon (Art Major-Bunny Dearest) now has two victories in four
career tries, earning $26,879.
In the other bracket, Miso Fast ($2.30) was fortunate to
avoid trouble heading to the three-quarter pole and used a 27.4 last split to
collar Americanfirewater in 1:57.3. Willie Joe Hall (Pat Lachance) took the
show position.
Going first over down the backstretch, Miso Fast and a heads
up Kakaley were able to swing wide and avoid the pocket-sitting Outkast Blue
Chip who broke stride and scattered the field.
In the home stretch, Americanfirewater could feel the
pressure being applied by Miso Fast in the lane and could do nothing but
helplessly watch.
Miso Fast (Roll With Joe-Sakura Hanover) is trained by Ron
Burke and is owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stable and the
J&T Silva Stable. It was his second straight Sire Stakes victory, now a
winner of $39,896 in just two lifetime appearances.
Morrill Jr. took a pair of $15,000 Excelsior A Series
events. He guided Funknwaffles ($2.50) to a 1:57.4 victory and Serious Major
($2.70) to a 1:59.1 decision. In the other leg, Percy's Z Tam ($4.60) found the
winner's circle with a 2:00.0 score with Lachance in the bike.
Sargeant Reckless was a popular $4.20 winner in the $6.500
Excelsior B Series as Morrill Jr. steered him to a 2:01 victory. Watch Me Fly
($5.00) took the other division in 2:01.3 with Kevin Cummings aboard.
There were two divisions of the Claiming Championship Series
contested with Fresh Squeezed ($4.50) posting a 1:56.1 victory for Kakaley in
the $14,800 finale for filly and mare pacers ($8,000-$12,500).
In the $10,000 championship event for the distaff pacers
($4,000-$7,000), Mystical Danica ($3.20) cruised to a 1:57.2 victory under the
guidance of Cummings.
Princess Katie (Ray Fisher Jr.) toured the Buffalo Raceway
half-mile oval in 1:55.2 to capture the $9,500 Open Pace for the filly and
mares. She returned $4.20 for the victory.
The final week of racing will continue on Friday night at
Buffalo Raceway with 10 races going to the post at 5 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
