by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Beachy Dream ($12.80) put in a gutsy
effort and notched the victory in Buffalo Raceway's $12,500 Class AA Open
Handicap Pace on Saturday night (May 18)..
The tempo-setting Beachy Dream found plenty of challengers
in the stretch but had just enough to hold off the serious late bids of Rose
Run Ranger and Heaven Rocks who finished second and third respectively.
Putting up splits of :27.3, :56.3 and 1:26.1, Beachy Dream
braced himself for the expected charge to the finish line and the closers
didn't disappoint.
Rose Run Ranger (Ray Fisher Jr.) took dead aim on Beachy
Dream on the outside while Heaven Rocks (Drew Monti) mounted his bid through
the passing lane. But those attempts were thwarted as driver Cummings kept
Beachy Dream on task and posted the narrow win in 1:55.0.
Owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama, it was
the fifth win in 14 outings for the 8-year-old gelded Beachy Dream (If I Can
Dream-Beachy Girl). The victory improved his 2019 earnings to $38,295 and
$218,435 in his career.
In the $11,500 Class AA Open Handicap Pace, Upfront
Countryboy (Fisher Jr.) went from last to first and turned back Charmbo Orbit
(David McNeight III) by a half length in 1:54.4.
After watching Charmbo Orbit set the splits of :28.4, :58.1
and 1:26.4, Upfront Countryboy ($11.80) sat last but began to gobble up ground
just past the half.
Reaching the lead, it appeared Upfront Countryboy was about
to drop anchor at the top of the stretch but Fisher Jr. re-rallied the 10-year
gelding and took the win. Charmbo Orbit held on for second with Andy's Ideal
(Mike Caprio) finishing in third.
Trained by James Clouser Jr. and owned by William Emmons, it
was the fourth win in 15 attempts for Upfront Countryboy (Dragon
Again-Cambloid). The win sent his earnings to $37,845 this year and $477,265
lifetime.
A F F Bigdaddy (David McNeight III) collected the $4.90
decision in the $10,000 Class A pace with a two length nod over Focus Power in
1:55.2.
It was the fourth victory in 10 tries for A F F Bigdaddy who
is owned by Rose Campbell and trained by Steve Kiblin. The triumph moved his
seasonal winnings to $22,440 and $101,465 lifetime.
Shawn McDonough and Fisher Jr. had driving doubles while
Clouser Jr. collected three training wins and McDonough two.
Racing will resume on Wednesday evening with a nine race
program set for 5 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results, upcoming promotions and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
