HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Some hot fractions on the front end and a
short field helped spur the always closing Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) to the
victory in Buffalo Raceway's $13,000 Open Trot on Wednesday night (Feb. 19).
With a short field of six, Lougazi ($4.80) was in perfect
striking range throughout the main event and rolled onto the win late as he
caught the pace-setting Rockefeller Lindy (David McNeight III) in 1:58.2 over
the good track.
"It was a short field and I never thought they'd go to
the half in :58.3," a surprised but pleased Fisher Jr. said after
Lougazi's win. "I thought they might walk it to the half and then sprint
home but it actually worked out the opposite."
Rockefeller Lindy put up stout fractions of :29.1, :58.4 and
1:28.2 which was perfect for Lougazi. Tipping three wide, Lougazi was flying
and easily cruised past Rockfeller Lindy in notching a half length triumph in
1:58.2 while Daylon Phantom (Renaldo Morales III) captured third.
Owned by Mary Warriner and trained by Ryan Swift, it was the
second victory in four attempts for the 6-year-old gelded Lougazi (Lou's
Legacy-Winning Blade). The win increased Lougazi's yearly earnings to $17,810
and $216,293 in his career.
Bred For Greatness (Jim Morrill Jr.) has been nothing
but great thus far in 2020 as he made it three straight victories in as many
starts with a convincing two length win over Noble Legend in the $10,000
Class A Trot.
After settling into third off the starting gate, Bred For Greatness
($3.90) started the first over grind just before the half and
finally caught the tempo-setting Noble Legend just past the three-quarter
pole.
In the stretch, Bred For Greatness pulled away slowly but
surely and enjoyed a two length advantage over Noble Legend (Billy Davis Jr.)
in 2:00.0 while Catch The Bouquet (Jim McNeight Jr.) finished in third.
Co-owned by trainer Mike Ohol and Steven Gross, the
6-year-old gelded Bred For Greatness (Federal Flex-Wendy Woo) has produced
$12,400 in earnings this season and $104,681 lifetime.
In the $10,000 Class A-B Handicap Pace for the filly and
mares, Sarah Cola ($10.60) produced her second consecutive wire-to-wire win
with a half length score over Jag Out in 1:58.4.
Taking off from the three post, Sarah Cola (McNeight III)
stuffed an early lead attempt from Jag Out (Drew Monti) and that proved to be
the right move.
Posting splits of :29.2, 1:00.1, and 1:29.3, Sarah Cola was
never in serious trouble on the front end and held back a mild threat from Jag
Out late while Machs Echo (Morrill Jr.) rounded out the top three.
Sara Cola (No Pan Intended-Saramotion) is an 8-year-old mare
that is co-owned by trainer Jim Graham and Giuseppe Micchia. It was her second
victory in four attempts this year, pushing her earnings to $11,428 and
$173,709 in her career.
Morrill Jr. have a four-bagger in the sulky while Davis Jr.
and Fisher Jr. doubled. Swift and Ohol each had training doubles.
Racing will continue at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday evening
with a 13-race program set for 6 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results, entries simulcast schedule and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
