by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Rose Run Ranger ($3.30) used the inside
post position to his advantage in Buffalo Raceway's $12,000 Class AA Pace on
Saturday night (May 4) and cruised to a front-running decision over Adonis Bay
in a seasonal best 1:54.4 over the fast track. It was the third consecutive
victory for Rose Run Ranger.
Drawing the one post, Rose Run Ranger (Ray Fisher Jr.)
immediately stormed to the lead and notched sensible fractions of :29.1, :58.2
and 1:26.3. There was little movement in the stretch as Rose Run Ranger paced
away to the comfortable two length win over Adonis Bay (David McNeight III) and
China Dream (Billy Davis Jr.).
Co-owned by the Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi
LLC, Rose Run Ranger (Major In Art-A And Gs Finest) was conditioned by James
Clouser Jr. The 6-year-old gelding scored his fourth win in 13 appearances,
putting $28,760 in the bank in 2019 and $103,693 in his career.
After three straight second place finishes, Upfront
Countryboy ($3.90) had to sweat out a photo finish but finally got to the
winner's circle by edging out Beachy Dream by a nose in 1:54.4 in the
co-featured $11,000 Class AA pace.
Cutting the mile of :27.4, :56.3 and 1:25.3, Upfront
Countryboy (Ray Fisher Jr.) had to withstand a three-horse charge in what was
an exciting blanket finish. Beachy Dream was just a nose back while Western
Passage (Wengerd) took third only a neck behind.
Owned by William Emmons and trained by Clouser Jr., it was
the third win in 13 tries for the 10-year-old gelded Upfront Countryboy (Dragon
Again-Cambloid). The victory moved his bankroll to $32,095 and $472,015 in his
career.
Littlebitaclass ($8.40) watched Falcon's Luke do all the
dirty work then raced on by to take the $10,000 Class A pace in 1:56.1.
With Falcon's Luke (Fisher Jr.) cutting the mile with splits
of :28.4, :58.2 and 1:27.4, Littlebitaclass and driver Drew Monti just waited
for an opportunity in the drive to the wire.
Their patience paid off as Littlebitaclass was able to roll
on by and take the head win. Make A Statement A (Shawn McDonough) took the
third place check.
Owned by Tessa Roland and trained by JD Perrin, it was the
third victory in 15 attempts in 2019 for Littlebitaclass (Santanna Blue
Chip-Aspirine Semalu). The 8-year-old gelding has now produced $20,689 in
earnings this season and $282,005 lifetime.
Fisher Jr. ended the evening with four driving wins while
Monti and Kevin Cummings doubled. Clouser Jr. had a training triple with Lee
Dahn and Ryan Swift getting two apiece.
Racing will resume on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with a
nine-race program scheduled.
