by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Rose Run Ranger reverted back to his old
tactics in Buffalo Raceway's $12,500 Class AA-Open pace on Sunday afternoon
(June 16) and that plan worked to perfection with a 3/4-length victory over Western
Passage in 1:55.1.
With the field trimmed down to four due to the scratch of
China Dream, Rose Run Ranger and driver Ray Fisher Jr. had a choice to make.
The equally capable pacer could set the fractions or sit back and be a closer.
They decide to be the front runner and it proved to be the correct decision.
Setting fractions of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:27.3,over the good
track, Rose Run Ranger ($3.60) felt some pressure in the lane from Western
Passage (Hunter Myers) but a :27.3 last frame was good enough to secure the
victory. Charmbo Orbit (David McNeight III) finished in third place.
Co-owned by the Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi
LLC, Rose Run Ranger (Major In Art-A And Gs Finest) is trained by James Clouser
Jr. The 6-year-old gelding has now put $48,510 this season and $123,486
lifetime.
Clouser Jr. made it a training sweep of the main events as
he watched Upfront Countryboy (Shawn McDonough) dig in late and strut on by a
stubborn Lucan Hanover (Billy Davis Jr.) in 1:53.4, equaling his seasonal best.
Lucan Hanover had things his own way through the opening
panels of :28.2, :58.0 and 1:26.2 but then received an expected visitor in the
outside n Upfront Countryboy.
It was a match race down the long Buffalo Raceway stretch
with Upfront Countryboy ($7.30) managing to pull ahead just before the finish
line. Lucan Hanover had to settle for a heart-breaking second while Western
Conquest (Fisher Jr.) took the show spot.
Owned by William Emmons, it was the sixth win in 19 attempts
for the 10-year-old gelded Upfront Countryboy (Dragon Again-Cambloid). The win
pushed his seasonal winnings to $53,725 and $493,145 in his career.
In a pair of $10,000 Class A paces, Adonis Bay (JD
Wengerd) found the rail and class relief to his liking and nipped Lots Of Lovin
(Ray Fisher Jr.) by a neck in 1:54.2 and returned $5.70 to his backers.
Focus Power ($3.50) took the second division with a coast to
coast triumph over Littlebitofabrat (Denny Bucceri).in 1:56.0. Drew Monti
guided him to the narrow nose win.
Davis Jr. completed the matinee with four wins while McDonough
and Myers each doubled.
Racing will continue on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with a
12-race card slated. The New York Sire Stakes will highlight the program with
the 3-year-old filly pacers squaring off. There will also be action in the
Excelsior A and B categories.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results, entries, upcoming promotions, and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
