by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- "She's really sharp right now,"
said driver Jim Morrill Jr. after he guided Majestic Kat ($2.70) to an easy two
length victory over Lougazi in Buffalo Raceway's featured $13,000 Open Trot on
Friday night (May 31).
It was the second straight win for Majestic Kat who arrived
back in Western New York after just registering a 2-1/4 length score at
Flamboro Downs on May 26.
Morrill Jr. had a big night as well by capturing five of the
nine events on the program.
When the starting gate swung open, B Z Glide and Kahoku took
off while Majestic Kat toiled in third. But Morrill Jr. changed his mind about
tucking in and raced to the lead instead, a decision that proved to be the
right one.
"I was just being careful with her getting around the
first turn. I didn't want her to break," Morrill Jr. said. "I knew
I'd get to the lead eventually."
And once gaining the top, there was no looking back for
Majestic Kat as she posted fractions of :28.4, :57.3 and 1:29.1. Enjoying a
four length advantage at the top of the stretch, the remainder of the field
were in surrender mode and tussled for the minor spoils with Lougazi (Ray
Fisher Jr.) picking up second place and Southern Palms (Kevin Cummings)
collecting third.
Owned by the Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Jack Rice and the
Pine Hill Racing Stable, it was the seventh win in 15 attempts for the
5-year-old mare Majestic Kat (Majestic Son-Order By Matilda). She was now
produced $47,367 in earnings this year and $206,958 in her career.
Maria Rice, who trains Majestic Kat, had a double on the
night.
In the sub-featured $10,000 Class A-B Handicap trot, Ticket
To Seattle ($5.90) found passage to the winner's circle with a non-threatened
3/4-length victory over Are You In. The final clocking was 1:58.0 over the fast
track which equaled his lifetime mark set last season at Woodbine.
The favored Empire Earl N (Fisher Jr.) jumped out to the
lead and put up fractions of :28.4, :59.3 and and 1:29.1. Ticket To Seattle in
the meantime started her first over trip down the backstretch the final time
and was nose to nose with Empire Earl N with a panel to go.
Ticket To Seattle (Morrill Jr.) then began to nudge away
from the pace-setter and took the length nod over Are You In (Cummings) who
finished in second. Empire Earl N held on for the show position.
Owned by William Emmons and trained by James Clouser Jr., it
was the fourth win in 17 starts for the 5-year-old mare Ticket To Seattle
(Majestic Son-Travelin Supergirl. The victory took her 2019 bankroll to $20,778
and $124,864 lifetime.
Racing will continue on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. when a
13-race card will be presented. There's a carryover of $2,528 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
