by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Sr Radar wasn't on the 'radar' of many
fans in Buffalo Raceway's $10,500 Class A Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday night
(Feb. 27) but those who had him on their screens were rewarded handsomely with
a $53.50 win ticket.
In the other main event, HP Sissy ($7.30) dashed through the
snow in gate-to-wire fashion and easily took the $10,500 Class A Open Handicap
Pace for the filly and mares.
Scoring from the three post on the flurry-filled evening, Sr
Radar was pushed right to the lead by driver Mike Baumeister. After registering
fractions of :29.4, 1:00.4 and 1:33.1, Sr Radar then braced himself for late
charges down the stretch.
Those rallies came fast and furious as Are You In (John
Cummings Jr.) and Kickinitwithkohler (Denny Bucceri) both made valiant efforts
down the lane but Sr Radar managed to cling to neck victory 2:05.4. Are You In
took second while Kickinitwithkohler was third.
Owned and trained by Brittney Ohol, it was the second win in
six tries this season for the 6-year-old gelded Sr Radar (Iron
Duke-Sweethomeourbama). The victory pushed his seasonal winnings to $13,325 and
$110,715 lifetime.
HP Sissy (Bucceri) found things much easier in the
co-feature as she had little problem in wiring the field by 3-1/4 lengths
Pacing right to the lead off the wings, HP Sissy cruised on
the front end with splits of :30.1, 1:01.4 and 1:32.0. It appeared that Aritzia
Hanover and You Mach Me Crazy were poised to make bids at the top of the
stretch, but HP Sissy stayed on task and never was threatened at the finish
line.
HP Sissy (Up The Credit-Monica Blue Chip) is a 6-year-old
mare owned by John and Sally Finocchario and trained by Mike Ohol. She has now
produced $18,138 in 2019 earnings and $269,274 career-wise.
In the $15,000 final of the Opportunity Knock Series,
Keystone Royce (Bucceri) collared the pace-setting Capital Account (Drew Monti)
and scored the two length victory. Quick Trot (Jimmy Whittemore) took the show
position.
Keystone Royce (Western Hanover-Keystone Romona) is an
11-year-old gelding that is owned by Lav Racing Stable and trained by George
Anthrop. It was the second trip to the winner's circle for Keystone Royce this
year. It moved his seasonal bankroll to $12,720 and $229,640 lifetime.
In the $7,500 Opportunity Knocks consolation event, Ugly
Betty (Billy Davis Jr.) pulled a $11.20 surprise.
Davis Jr. and Bucceri each had four-baggers in the bike
while Monti had a double. Jeff Amann had a training double.
Racing will continue on Saturday evening when a 13-race card
goes to the post starting at 6 p.m. There will be a $649 carryover in the
Pick-5 which begins in the second race.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results, entries, upcoming promotions and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
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