by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It was St. Patrick's Day at Buffalo
Raceway on Saturday evening (March 17) but no luck of the Irish was needed by
the favorites as Mach Stockn Barrel ($3.30) and Fox Valley Veto ($3.00) won the
co-featured Open Pace and Open Trot respectively.
Mach Stockn Barrel (Shawn Gray) used an inside trip to
capture the $9,500 Pace by topping Hardts Or Bettor by a half length in 1:56.1
over the fast surface. It was the fifth win in eight starts for Mach Stockn
Barrel who has yet to finish off the board in 2018.
Fox Valley Veto, after four consecutive second place
finishes, finally got a picture opportunity with track photographer Steve Roth
by going coast to coast in turning back Lenny Mac by 1-1/2 lengths in 2:00.2.
In the opener, Mach Stockn Barrel used a ground-saving
inside trip to notch the win. Starting from the one spot, Hardts Or Bettor
(Davis McNeight III) enjoyed the top for a brief moment before Mach Stockn
Barrel retook the lead just past the opening panel.
Cruising along on the front end past the three-quarter
marker, Mach Stockn Barrel saw Im So Handsome pull to a brief advantage around
the final turn. That was the best Im So Handsome would do however as Mach
Stockn Barrel kicked it into high gear and held off Hardts Or Bettor by a half
length. China Dream (Billy Davis Jr.) took third. A final split of 28.3 did the
trick for Mach Stockn Barrel.
Owned by William Emmons and trained by James Clouser Jr.,
Mach Stockn Barrel (Mach Three-Timeless Classic) is a 7-year-old gelding that
has earned $26,256 this season and $146,980 lifetime.
Fox Valley Veto wasted no time in taking control of the Open
Trot, zooming to the lead and never looking back. A pedestrian :31.3 third
panel sealed the deal for fresh Fox Valley Veto as Lenny Mac (Gray) couldn't
make any headway down the lane while City Kid (Ray Fisher Jr.) took the show
position.
Co-owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable along with Jack
Rice, Fox Valley Veto (Piazzazzed-Yankee Victory) is a 7-year-old gelding that
is trained by Maria Rice. The victory upped his seasonal bankroll to $21,829
and $416,667 in his career.
Gray turned in a five-bagger while Davis Jr. and Drew Monti
tripled. Clouser Jr. had four winners on the training side with JD Perrin
adding three.
Racing will return on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. with a 12-race
program slated.
