by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Gwally has been at four different harness
tracks in the past two months so developing a fan base might be a little
difficult. But the well-travel sidewinder probably made a few new friends at
Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (June 17) after scoring a $42.00 victory in
the $10,000 Open Trot in 1:57.4.
In the co-featured $9,000 Preferred Pace, Fireyourguns
showed he's still got plenty of weapons left in the arsenal as he won his
second straight race with a 1:53.0 score over Montezuma Bluechip. It was the
50th career victory for Fireyourguns in just 110 lifetime starts.
Some hot fractions in the main event for the trotters proved
to be a perfect set up for Gwally who has paid visits to Yonkers Raceway, Tioga
Downs and Northfield Park in the past few months.
Noble Legend and Kahoku battled for supremacy with the
opening half in 57.2. In the meantime, Gwally (David McNeight III) toiled in
fifth and began to make a move in the outer flow to the three quarter station.
Noble Legend and Kahoku threw in the towel at the top of the
stretch and Gwally yook full advantage of the situation and never looked
back in notching the decision by 2-3/4 lengths. Empire Earl N (Larry Stalbaum)
rallied for second with Studio City (Kevin Cummings) taking the show position.
Co-owned by Marissa Russo and John Mariano, Gwally (Rompaway
Wally-Surrogate Lover) is a 7-year-old gelding who is trained by David Russo.
It was the third victory in 20 starts for Gwally, now a winner of $24,446 in
2017 and $202,780 lifetime.
Fireyourguns (American Ideal-Villa Hanover) and driver Mike Caprio
had to work hard to get to the lead from the seven post but once arriving
there, he showed what a competitor he truly is.
Putting up fractions of 27.2, 55.3 and 1:24.0 over the fast
track, Fireyourguns ($8.90) cruised through the stretch and easily held off
Montezuma Bluechip (Ray Fisher Jr.) and Sir Ziggy's Z Tam (McNeight III) by a
throttled down 3/4 lengths.
Co-owned by trainer Terence McClory along with Jennifer and
Robert Lowe, the victory pushed Fireyourguns' seasonal earnings to $10,000 and
$356,556 in his sparkling career.
Cummings enjoyed a four-bagger in the sulky while Jim
Morrill Jr. tripled and McNeight III doubled. Trainer Maria Rice sent a pair to
the winner's circle.
Action will continue on Sunday afternoon as Buffalo Raceway
will present its first matinee of the season at 12:30 p.m. with a 12-race card.
There is a $316 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the second race.
Fans in attendance will receive a 75th Anniversary
Commemorative Lucky Exacta Coin while kids will get a 75th Anniversary Slinky
along with free cotton candy and sno cones.
For more information including upcoming promotions, race
replays, results and the latest news, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
