by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- A better draw, an easier level and a
perfect pocket trip were the ingredients for Hey Kobe as she cooked up a
victory in Buffalo Raceway's featured $8,400 pace on Wednesday night (April 25)
in a seasonal best 1:56.3 over the sloppy track.
Dropping down into an optional claimer after competing in
the Open Pace for the ladies the past three weeks, Hey Kobe ($11.60) also found
the two hole to her liking as well after getting straddled with three
consecutive five posts in those outings.
Sgt Molly Pitcher (John Cummings Jr.) splashed out to the
early lead and Hey Kobe (David McNeight III) followed in tow from the garden
spot through splits of :28.3, :58.2 and 1:27.3.
Coming around the final turn before the stretch run, Hey
Kobe tipped to the outside and eventually wore down the pace-setting Sgt Molly
Pitcher to notch the neck decision. Sportsmuffler (Drew Monti) showed plenty of
late kick but could only muster up a third place finish.
Owned by Keith Pinkowski and trained by Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr.,
it was the third win in 14 appearances for the 6-year-old mare Hey Kobe
(Bettor's Delight-American West). The victory pushed her 2018 earnings to
$19,681 and $279,730 lifetime.
It was bombs away in the tenth race as Panalytical (Monti)
scored a $72.50 victory which help ignite an 8-5 exacta that returned $2,523
and an 8-5-4 trifecta that cashed out for $5,078.75.
Billy Davis Jr. and Monti completed the action with a
triples in the bike while Richard Roth finished with a training double.
Racing will continue on Saturday night with a 12-race
program scheduled for 6 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, race replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
