by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- My Tallia Ideal and driver David McNeight
III knew if they wanted to win Buffalo Raceway's featured $10,000 Open pace for
the mares on Wednesday night (Feb. 1), their best chance was going to come on
the front end.
That tactic proved to be ideal as My Tallia Ideal set all
the fractions and turned back Kaitlyn Rae by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:57.2 over the
good track.
The favored and front-running Wanna Rock N Roll, who was
assigned the six post, entered the event on a five-race win streak. It began
like it might be an instant replay of previous races by Wanna Rock N Roll as
driver Drew Monti went straight to the top off the starting gate with her.
But that advantage was short-lived as My Tallia Ideal, who
started on the pylons, wanted no part of a pocket trip and retook the lead on
the give-and-go.
Setting the splits of 29.0, 59.2 and 1:28.1, My Tallia Ideal
($5.40) put away the fading Wanna Rock N Roll in the stretch and cruised off to
the comfortable victory. Kaitlyn Rae (Larry Stalbaum), the winner of last
week's Open for the ladies, was second with Missevil (Shawn Gray) taking third
in the battle for minor spoils.
Co-owned by Pete Kibler, Ken Owczarczak and Courtney
McNeight, the 7-year-old mare (Western Ideal-Bolero Tallia) scored her first
victory in four attempts this season. It pushed her seasonal winnings to $7,900
and $255,181 lifetime. David McNeight Jr. handled the training duties.
Drew Monti each finished the night with a four-bagger,
Stalbaum had a triple while Ray Fisher Jr. had a double.
Trainer David Russo found the winner's circle three times
with JD Perrin, Rose Russo and Kimberly Asher each producing a pair of
victories.
Racing will resume on Friday night at Buffalo Raceway with
11 races set to go to the post at 5 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
