by Brian Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- After finishing in the money 30 out of 40
times in 2018 including 10 victories and over $90,000 in earnings, Empire Earl
N ($3.40) showed that the change in the calendar year makes no difference to
him.
Driver Billy Davis Jr. waited patiently with Empire Earl N
and collared Time Will Tell All (Shawn Gray) in the stretch to collect the neck
victory in Buffalo Raceway's $10,500 Class A Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday
night (Feb. 6). It was the third straight for Empire Earl N as he closed the
2018 campaign at Batavia Downs with a pair of wins.
Benefiting from the scratches of Snapshot Springs and On
Thunder Road N, Empire Earl N was able to score from the six post instead of
the eight spot. Tucking in second off the gate, Empire Earl N watched as Time
Will Tell All set the fractions of :29.3, 1:01.4 and 1:33.0 over the soupy
track.
In the stretch, On Thunder Road held gamely but Empire Earl
N had just enough left, splashing by the front runner down the passing lane and
grabbing the win in 2:04.4. Lucky Guess (Drew Monti) captured the show
position.
Owned by Kimberly Asher and trained by Riley Asher-Stalbaum,
it was the 27th career win for the 11-year-old gelded Empire Earl N (Earl-Santa
Nita). The win pushed his career earnings to $257,344.
In the $9,500 Class A pace for the fillies and mares, You
Mach Me Crazy took command past the half mile marker and cruised to a
4-1/2 length win over Aritzia Hanover (Davis Jr.) in 2:01.4.
Owned by William Emmons and trained by James Clouser Jr.,
You Mach Me Crazy returned $6.60 to her backers.
Davis Jr. put three more victories into his win column in
2019 while Gray, Monti and Ray Fisher Jr. all doubled. JD Perrin collected a
pair of training victories.
Racing will resume on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with a
12-race card scheduled.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results, entries, promotions and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
