by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Majestic Kat made it a 'purrfect' 3-for-3
at Buffalo Raceway on Friday night (April 19) as she splashed and dashed her
way to the victory in the $13,000 Open Trot in 1:57.4 over the sloppy track.
After making a two week visit to Flamboro Downs where she
registered a win and third place, Majestic Kat returned to the Western New York
circuit where she was undefeated in two starts.
Driver Billy Davis Jr. and Majestic Kat were involved in a
skirmish with Wheels A Turning and Southern Palms to take command to the
opening quarter pole and were successful in getting there.
"It was obvious we wanted the lead," Davis Jr.
said of his early going strategy. "She (Majestic Kat) is pretty handy
racing from anywhere but she does like the front end." Once hitting the
home stretch in 1:28.4, Davis Jr. said, "I wasn't really worried."
Wh onti) took third.
Trained by Maria Rice and co-owned by Jack Rice, Vogel &
Wags Nags Stable and Pine Hill Racing LTD, it was the fifth win in 11 starts
for Majestic Kat (Majestic Son-Order By Matilda). The 5-year-old mare has now
put $35,416 in the bank this season and $197,007 in her career.
In the $10,000 Class A-B Handicap Trot, Lougazi came from
nowhere and snatched a head victory over Keystone Apache in 1:59.0.
Sitting fifth and 5-1/4 lengths from the lead at the top of
the stretch, Ray Fisher Jr. launched a mad charge with Lougazi in the stretch
and posted the $16.40 upset win. Keystone Apache (Davis Jr.) took the tough
luck second place finish with Empire Earl N (Jim Morrill Jr.) taking third,
just a neck behind the winner.
Owned by Mary Warriner and trained by Ryan Swift, it was the
second consecutive triumph for Lougazi (Lou's Legacy-Winning Blade). The
5-year-old gelding has now produced $16,000 in earnings on the campaign and
$120,483 lifetime.
Davis Jr. completed the card with three winners while Fisher
Jr. doubled. Rice, Buffalo Raceway's leading trainer, had a pair of victories.
Racing will resume on Saturday night at 6 p.m. with a
10-race card slated. There's a $438 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the
second race.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results, entries, upcoming promotions and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
