by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Lenny Mac made a big move early in Buffalo
Raceway's $9,500 Open Trot on Saturday night (March 3) and it proved to the
right move as the lone mare in the field beat the boys once again by turning
back Fox Valley Veto in a season's best 1:59.2 over the sloppy track. It was
the second straight Open Trot win for Lenny Mac.
With the field settling in single file around the first
turn, driver Shawn Gray blasted Lenny Mac ($4.40) to the top at the quarter
pole. Putting up fractions of 30.1, 1:00.3 and 1:30.3, the last quarter mile
boiled down to see if Lenny Mac could hold off the challenge of the
pocket-sitting Fox Valley Veto.
There was little doubt however as Lenny Mac had no issue in
holding back the threat of Fox Valley Veto (Billy Davis Jr.) and crossed the
line comfortably in front by a length. Empire Earl N (Drew Monti) took third.
Lenny Mac (Kadabra-Lend A Hand) is a 7-year-old mare who is
owned by William Emmons and trained by James Clouser Jr. The win was her third
in five starts in 2018, pushing her seasonal earnings to $17,385 and $255,175
lifetime.
In the sub-featured $8,800 pace, Heaven Rocks (Monti) was
able to hold off Hardts Or Bettor (David McNeight III) by 3/4 lengths by covering the mile in 1:57.3.
After watching Validus Deo take early command, Heaven
Rocks used a first over trip to gain the lead and brought Hardts Of Bettor in
tow with a panel to pace. The pair broke away from the field down the lane with
Heaven Rocks in no serious jeopardy of losing his lead. Mach Stockn Barrel
(Gray) rallied late for the show position.
Owned by Tessa Roland and conditioned by JD Perrin, Heaven
Rocks (Rock N Roll Heaven-Cheerful Outlook) is a 6-year-old gelding that now
has two victories in five tries this season. The win pushed his 2018 winnings
to $16,115 and $143,941 in his career.
Gray, Buffalo Raceway's leading driver, continues to pile up
the victories as he added another three to his total. McNeight III also
had three trips to the winner's circle while Monti and Billy Davis Jr. added
doubles.
Clouser Jr., Buffalo Raceway's top conditioner, had another
good night by posting a training three-bagger and Perrin scored a pair.
Racing will resume on Wednesday with a 10-race program set
for 5 p.m. There is a $526 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the second
race.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results, entries and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
