by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Wilberforce was a force to be reckoned
with in Buffalo Raceway's $13,000 Class A-Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday
evening (Feb. 26) as he struck to the lead and hung on the rest of the way to
take a 3/4-length decision over Daylon Phantom in 2:01.0 over the sloppy track.
After being parked at the start of the race, John Cummings
Jr. made the decision to march forward with Wilberforce and it proved to be the
right call.
With splits of :29.1, :59.3 and 1:30.0, Wilberforce ($8.60)
was strong enough down the stretch and was able to hold back the late surge of
Daylon Phantom (Renaldo Morales III) while Noble Legend (Billy Davis Jr.) took
the show spot.
Co-owned by trainer Kris Rickert and Dale Wareham, it
was the fourth victory in eight starts this season for the 8-year-old gelded
Wilberforce (Caviar Crown-Rose Run Imprint). The win moved his earnings to
$33,950 on the campaign and $321,222 in his career.
Fox Valley Veto ($3.60) has been battling in the Open Trot
to start the 2020 season at Buffalo Raceway but got a much appreciated drop in
classification and responded nicely in the $10,000 Class A division with a
solid 2-1/4 length victory over Are You In.
It took a three-wide move to the opening panel to vault Fox
Valley Veto (Davis Jr.) into the lead and he never looked back from there.
Setting the fractions of :30.3, 1:02.0 and 1:32.1, Fox
Valley Veto tripped the timer in 2:01.3 and never was threatened as Are You In
(Kevin Cummings) and Catch The Bouquet (Drew Monti) settled for second and
third respectively.
Co-owned by Vogel & Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and
Adelphia Bloodstock, Fox Valley Veto (Pizzazzed-Yankee Victory Om) is trained
by Maria Rice. The win upped the 9-year-old gelding's earnings to $5,650 and
$532,638 lifetime.
Machs Echo ($7.90) got a perfect pocket trip and turned it
into a narrow nose victory over Sarah Cola in the $10,000 Class A-Open Handicap
Pace for the filly and mares.
Jag Out (Kevin Cummings), who finished in third, set the
tempo with fractions of :29.1, :59.0 and 1:29.1. She couldn't hang on, however,
as Machs Echo (Jim Morrill Jr.) attacked from the passing lane while Sarah Cola
came on the outside. It was a photo finish with Machs Echo managing to nose out
Sarah Cola.
Owned by Finocchario's Dream Stable and trained by Mike
Ohol, it was the first win in four attempts this season for Machs Echo (Mach
Three-Rocket Time). The 6-year-old mare has now produced a bankroll of $9,200
in 2020 and $104,571 lifetime.
Cummings Jr. had a triple in the bike while Monti and
Cummings each had a pair of wins. Gerry Sarama had a training triple and
David Russo a double.
Racing will continue on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with a
13-race program on tap.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results, entries, simulcast schedule and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
