by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It's been all or nothing for Studio City
this season as the 8-year-old gelding either wins or is out of the money. But
for the second straight week, Studio City ($8.70) has been something as he now
has posted back-to-back victories at Buffalo Raceway with a 1-1/2 length
decision over Jim Dandy in a seasonal best 1:58.2 over the fast track in the
$10,000 Open Trot.
It was the third win of the campaign in eight appearances
for Studio City (Conway Hall-Yagot Prestige).
It was a mad scramble to the lead as BZ Glide, Winkys Pride
and Osprey Vision all battled for supremacy to the first quarter. When things
calmed down, BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) was able to set the splits while Winkys
Pride and Osprey Vision tucked in second and third respectively.
There was plenty of movement approaching the half as Kahoku
was first over while Studio City followed the live cover to the three-quarter
marker in 1:28.3.
Fanning out five wide for the drive to the wire, Studio City
(Kevin Cummings) was by far the fastest with a 29.4 last panel. He was able to
register the 1-1/2 length win over a rallying Jim Dandy (Jim McNeight Jr.) with
BZ Glide holding on for the show spot.
Co-owned by Dr. Scott Woogen and Lisa Denison, Studio City
is trained by Lisa Lederhouse. The triumph pushed his seasonal winnings $14,760
and $283,470.
Cummings, Drew Monti and Ray Fisher Jr. all had triples in
the sulky with Larry Stalbaum adding a double. Trainer Bob Gruber III had a
pair of victories.
Racing will resume on Saturday night at Buffalo Raceway with
12 races on tap at a special 7 p.m. post time which will enable fans to watch
and wager on the Belmont Stakes from Belmont Park. There's a $584 carryover in
the Pick-5 which begins in the second race.
