by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Im So Handsome (David McNeight III) had to
battle to be the boss on the front end and then ended up winning the war in
Buffalo Raceway's $11,000 Class AA-Open Handicap Pace on Saturday night (Feb.
22).
Getting parked for over a quarter mile, Im So Handsome ($11.80)
finally got to the pylons and paced home in scoring the length victory over
Beachy Dream (Kevin Cummings) in 1:55.0, the fastest of the 2020 meet thus far.
Hold The Gold, who finished in third, parked Im So Handsome
through a quarter in :28.3. It was then 'catch me if you can' for Im So
Handsome as went the half in a sizzling :56.3.
No one had the answer, however, as Im So Handsome stayed
strong in the stretch to collect the win.
Owned and trained by Tessa Perrin, it was the second win in
four starts this year for Im So Handsome (Hot Pans-Cheyenne Rose). The
decision moved his seasonal earnings to $13,000 and $273,240 lifetime.
In the first of two $10,000 Class A paces, Southwind Onyx
(Kyle Cummings) found the top to be the best spot for him with a 1-1/2 nod over
the favored Weekend Atnannies in 1:57.1.
It was a three-way scrum at the start between Southwind
Onyx, Weekend Atnannies and Utah Beach. When things finally sorted themselves
out, Southwind Onyx ($10.60) set the fractions of :28.0, :57.2 and 1:27.2.
There were no problems in the stretch for Southwind Onyx as
the 5-year-old gelding was able to turn back Weekend Atnannies (Renaldo Morales
III) and Carlos Danger (Mike Baumeister).
Co-owned by trainer Tammy Cummings and Michael Blidy, it was
the first win in four attempts in 2020 for Southwind Onyx (Bettor's
Delight-It's Only Rocknroll). The win jumped him seasonal earnings to $8,700
and $88,61 lifetime.
In the second division, Lucky McTrucky (Ray Fisher Jr.)
watched the pace-setting Burning Shore do all the dirty work then blew on by in
the passing lane to register the neck win in the four-horse photo.
Burning Shore, who set the split of :29.3, :59.2 and 1:27.3,
couldn't hold off the late charge of Lucky McTrucky ($21.40), Blue On Black
(Shawn McDonough) and Don McWhite (Davis Jr.) who took the top three spots
respectively.
Co-owned and trained by Perrin, Lucky McTrucky (McArdle-Truculent
Lady) is an 11-year-old gelding who captured his first win of the campaign in
three tries. The victory increased his earnings to $5,880 and $559,508 in his
career.
Morales had a four bagger in the bike while Davis Jr.
tripled and Denny Bucceri doubled. Maria Rice, Perrin and Angelo
Nappo all posted a pair of training victories.
Racing will continue on Wednesday night with a 13-race
program set for 5 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results, entries, simulcast schedule and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
