by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Barry Hanover ($10.60) looked like a prize
fighter bobbing and weaving in the stretch, seeking for some racing room in
Buffalo Raceway's co-featured $9,700 Open II Pace on Saturday night (July 21).
But driver Billy Davis Jr. was patient but persistent and finally found a gap
in guiding Barry Hanover to a neck victory over Bugatti in 1:55.3.
In the other $9,700 Open II event, In Runaway Bay N found
the 'lightning lane' early and was straight as an arrow to the finish line to
notch a $34.20 upset win in 1:55.1.
Bugatti (Ron Beback Jr.) showed the way in the opening
feature as he set the tempo with fractions of :29.3, :57.4 and 1:26.3. Barry
Hanover, who was sitting fifth at the top of the stretch, looked in every
direction before Davis Jr. was able to dip him into the passing lane and rally
in the shadow of the wire for the victory. Bugatti had to settle for second
with Southwind Torque (John Cummings Jr.) taking third.
Owned by John Sixt and trained by Judith Blaun, it was the
second win in 15 starts this season for the 4-year-old gelded Barry Hanover
(Rock N Roll Heaven-Beachbunny). The win increased his seasonal earnings to
$17,628 and $105,609 lifetime.
In Runaway Bay N (Shawn McDonough) got the perfect stalking
trip behind the pace setting Dark Horse and squeezed out a head victory. With
panels of :28.2, :57.1 and 1:26.2, a :28.3 final quarter plus clear sailing
through the stretch enabled In Runaway Bay N to collar Dark Horse. Tyler (Shawn
Gray) took the show position.
Owned by Mark Jakubik and trained by Angelo Nappo, it was
the third win in 21 starts in 2018 for 7-year-old gelded Runaway Bay N (Mach
Three-Pullover Brown). His bankroll jumped to $29,515 this year and to $171,135
in his career.
Gray finished the evening with three winners in the bike
with Monti and Davis Jr. adding two apiece. Dave McNeight Sr. had two training
victories.
With the 2018 season now complete, the track announced its
award winners for the year on Saturday night.
Drew Monti won his first driving championship at Buffalo
Raceway with 123 victories as the 23-year-old went over $700,000 in purses.
Shawn Gray took the runner up spot with 106 wins and Billy Davis Jr. finished
in third with 100 in his initial season at the track.
James Clouser Jr. took his first training title at the
Hamburg half-mile oval with 81 wins and over $415,000 in earnings. JD Perrin
ended up second in the standings with 63 victories while Maria Rice rounded out
the top three with 42 victories.
The "Trotter of the Year" went to Fox Valley Veto
who broke the all-aged trotting record on Friday night at Buffalo Raceway with
a 1:56.0 victory to solidify the honor. Fox Valley Veto (Pizzazzed-Yankee
Victory Om) is co-owned by the Vogel & Wags Nags Stable along with
Jack Rice. The 7-year-old gelding is trained by Maria Rice and won five times
in 16 tries at Buffalo, amassing $40,489 in purse money.
The "Pacer of the Year" award went to Lightning
Raider N (Christian Cullen-Talent Hanover) as the 13-year-old gelding posted 12
victories in 21 starts in 2018 for then owner Mae Smith. Lightning Raider N had
bankrolled $38,349 until he was claimed last weekend by Marissa Russo and
Kenneth Urbanczyk for $5,500.
He didn't last long in their barn as Mike Torcello claimed
him on Saturday night for $8,000 with Gerry Sarama listed as the trainer.
Lightning Raider N finished fifth in the race.
Simulcasting at Buffalo Raceway will be closed from July 23
through August 21 due to the Erie County Fair.
Live racing at Buffalo Raceway will return in January of
2019.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, simulcast schedule, race replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
