by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- The rail is the perfect place for a
tempo-setting pacer like Manceiver to start from and he took total advantage of
that post position on closing night Saturday (July 20) by wiring the field in
Buffalo Raceway's $13,000 Open Pace in a seasonal best 1:53.2.
"He was strong tonight," winning driver Kevin
Cummings said of the front running Manceiver ($8.90). "I wasn't worried
about anyone leaving. I wanted them to catch me."
Posting reasonable fractions of :28.0, :57.0 and 1:25.2,
Manceiver found no serious threats in the lane and coasted home to a
comfortable length decision over Upfront Countryboy (Shawn McDonough). Adonis
Bay (Ray Fisher Jr.) pulled in for third.
"I knew at the top of the stretch I had it,"
Cummings said.
Owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama,
Manceiver (Sportswriter-Swift N Shout) is a 5-year-old gelding that has earned
$53,470 in 2019 and $148,107 in his career.
Cummings made it a sweep of the features in coast to coast
fashion as he guided In Runaway Bay N ($5.80) to a half length score over Lucky
Nadotremblay (McDonough).in the $11,000 Class AA pace.
Cummings and David McNeight III each tripled on the program
with Billy Davis Jr. and Wade Tomaszewski getting doubles. Sarama completed the
evening with a pair of training wins while Chris Naedele posted a double.
The end of the year awards were announced on Saturday
evening. Western Passage was named 'Pacer Of The Year' while Wheels A Turning
took the 'Trotter Of The Year' honors.
Davis Jr. was the leading driver of the meet with 119
victories with James Clouser Jr. taking his second straight trainer's crown
with 56 wins.
Simulcasting at Buffalo Raceway will close after Sunday's
racing due to the Erie County Fair and will reopen on Wednesday, August 21.
Buffalo Raceway will resume live racing in January of 2020.
For more information including the latest news, race replays, results, upcoming
promotions and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
