by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Buffalo Raceway's co-featured $11,500 Open
Pace may have been scratched down to a field of four but that didn't stop them
from putting on quite a show on Saturday night (July 7).
Western Conquest ($8.90) was the headliner as he went
gate-to-wire, winning a terrific stretch duel against Classic American N, to
register a nose victory in 1:53.2. The time tied the track record for aged (5+)
pacing horses set by Utah Beach in 2017.
In the co-main event, the $11,500 Open Trot, Empire Earl N
($3.30) had to get reacquainted with the inside post and took full advantage of
it, coasting to a front-running 1-1/2 length score over Chelseas Chance in
1:57.4 over the fast surface.
With China Dream and Sir Ziggy's Z Tam both excused due to
illness, it left a quartet to duke it out in the Open Pace.
Scoring from the inside, Western Conquest (Ray Fisher Jr.)
zoomed immediately to the lead, setting fractions of :28.0, 56.4 and 1:25.2.
With a quarter mile to pace, it appeared the first over and heavily favored
Upfront Countryboy (Shawn Gray) was ready to launch a serious bid but that
quickly fizzled out.
It left Western Conquest to deal with the pocket sitting
Classic American N (Ron Beback Jr.) who made a valiant attempt to collar the
pace-setter but lost by a nose in the photo. Best Ears (John Cummings Jr.) took
the show position.
Owned by the Tanah Merah Farms LLC and trained by Ryan
Swift, it was the fifth win in 12 outings for the 7-year-old horse Western
Conquest (American Ideal-Aries Conquest). The victory jumped his seasonal
earnings to $28,575 and $287,136 lifetime.
It's been quite a while since Empire Earl N drew the inside
post and Buffalo Raceway's defending Trotter of the Year felt right at home,
storming off the gate and never looked back.
Setting moderate splits of :30.0, :59.1 and 1:28.3, Empire
Earl N (Monti) used a :28.4 last panel to hold off any potential threats from
Chelseas Chance (Billy Davis Jr.) and Bold Dresser (Shawn McDonough) who had to
settle for second and third place respectively.
Owned by Kimberly Asher and conditioned by Riley
Asher-Stalbaum, it was the sixth win in 19 appearances this year for the
10-year-old gelded Empire Earl N (Earl-Santa Nita). The victory upped his 2018
earnings to $46,618 and $208,458 in his career.
Fisher Jr. and Monti completed the evening with driving
triples. Trainers Steve Kiblin, JD Perrin and Swift each had a pair of
victories.
Racing will continue on Sunday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. with
a 12-race program set. The New York Sire Stakes will highlight the card with
the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers set to clash. There will also be action
in the Excelsior A and B series.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, simulcast schedule, race replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
