by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It was April Fool's Day at Buffalo Raceway
on Saturday night (April 1) but it was Lucky McTrucky and Shady City who
didn't fool around in the $8,600 co-featured pace.
Taking off for the lead from the start, Lucky McTrucky
($7.10) made his Buffalo Raceway debut an impressive one with a diminishing
half length victory over China Dream in 1:57.3 over the good track.
In the other co-feature, Shady City (Larry Stalbaum) used
his patented late kick to gun down the field in a seasonal best 1:55.1.
After competing at Yonkers Raceway and Pocono Downs earlier
this season, Lucky McTrucky (Ray Fisher Jr.) arrived at the Hamburg half-mile
oval sniffing for his first win of 2017.
Going right to the top, Lucky McTrucky put of fractions of
29.1, 59.1 and 1:28.4. Things appeared in order for Lucky McTrucky down the
stretch but a late surge by China Dream (Shawn Gray) made the race close in the
end. Lucky King (Ron Beback Jr.) took the show position.
Owned by James Krurilla and trained by Jeff Amann, it was
the first victory of the season for Lucky McTrucky (McArdle-Truculent Lady).
The 8-year-old gelding has now earned $10,350 this season and $344,437
lifetime.
In the second feature, Shady City ($6.60), starting on the
outside, took advantage of the breaking pace-setter Flying Cowboy to wrangle
the victory. Southwind Torque (Shawn Gray) took second but was 2-1/2 lengths
back while Dodger Hanover (John Cummings Jr.) was third.
Owned by Stalbaum and trained by Kim Asher, it was the third
victory in 10 tries for Shady City (Metropolitan-Made In Shade). The 7-year-old
gelding has now put $17,236 in the bank this season and $248,813 in his career.
Fisher Jr. finished the evening with four wins while Drew
Monti added a double. JD Perrin, Kimberly Asher and Sabrina Clevenger all had
two training victories.
Racing will resume on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. with an
11-race program scheduled.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
