HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Upfront Countryboy was just off the mark
in his last two starts with a pair of narrow second place finishes but he was
right on target in the $10,500 Class AA Open Handicap Pace at Buffalo Raceway
on Saturday night (March 23) with a strong two length victory over Beachy Dream
in 1:55.1.
It was a tough stretch for Upfront Countryboy as he had deal
with a neck and a length setback in his past two tries. But he washed away the
heart break this time around.
After watching Beachy Dream take the lead briefly, Upfront
Countryboy regained the top before stopping the timer at the quarter pole in
:28.2.
From there, driver Shawn McDonough kept Upfront Countryboy
on task and used a :57.2 back half mile to keep the remaining five combatants
at bay. Beachy Dream (Kevin Cummings) finished in second while Heaven Rocks
(Drew Monti) picked up the third place check.
Owned by William Emmons and trained by James Clouser Jr., it
was the second victory in seven tries for the 10-year-old gelded Upfront Countryboy
(Dragon Again-Cambloid). The win increased his seasonal earnings to $17,295 and
a stellar $456,715 lifetime.
In the sub-featured $9,500 Class A Handicapped paces, there
were no surprises as A F F Bigdaddy ($3.60) blasted the field in 1:54.2 while Bugatti
($4.70) had to hang on late to post the victory over Harry Hoo N in 1:56.2.
A F F Bigdaddy (Monti) had no issues in bottoming out the
field as he set fractions of :28.3, :57.0 and 1:26.1 which overpowered the
other seven competitors. Rebel Voyager (Billy Davis Jr.) was 4-3/4 lengths back
in second while Rose Run Voyager (Ray Fisher Jr.) took third.
A F F Bigdaddy (Sir Luck-Artacam) was owned by Jennifer and
Marcus Rogowski and trained by Steve Kiblin but was claimed out of the race for
$15,000 by Steve Andzel III. The 6-year-old gelding has earned $16,090 and
$95,615 lifetime.
Bugatti (Cummings) enjoyed a three length edge at the top of
the stretch but held on for dear life at the end to post a neck win over the
hard charging Harry Hoo N (McDonough) in the other event. China Dream (Davis
Jr.) rolled in for the show spot.
Owned by Keith Pinkowski and conditioned by Mihajlo Zdjelar
Jr., it was the first victory in five appearances this season for the
6-year-old gelded Bugatti (Mach Three-Blinker Hanover). The score upped his
2019 earnings to $9,029 and $244,271 in his career.
Cummings kept his torrid streak going with a five-bagger
while McDonough and David McNeight III had doubles. David McNeight Sr. had a
pair of training wins,
Racing will resume on Wednesday night with a 13-race card
slated for 5 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, race replays
results, entries, upcoming promotions and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
