HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Percy's Z Tam ($8.80) snuggled the pylons in cutting the mile in Buffalo Raceway's $12,000 Class AA Open Handicap Pace on Saturday night (July 18) and he needed every step of the ground saving journey to collect a head win over Daylight Rush in a seasonal best 1:55.0.
Zooming off the gate from the four hole, Percy's Z Tam (Kevin Cummings) was able to get to the cones quickly and posted reasonable splits of :29.3, :58.3 and 1:26.3.
Turning for home, Buffalo Raceway's Pacer of the Meet, Daylight Rush (David McNeight III), took dead aim at Percy's Z Tam but just came up a head short. China Dream (Jack Rice) skimmed the inside for third.
Mike Torcello owns the 6-year-old gelded Percy's Z Tam (American Ideal-Mintjulep Bluechip). Trained by Gerry Sarama, the win boosted Percy's Z Tam's winnings to $32,590 this year and $217,986 lifetime.
In the $10,000 Class A Pace, Atlantis (Cummings) took the lead just past the opening panel and held off a late charging Stratosphere by a neck in 1:54.2. In Runaway Bay N (Shawn McDonough) took the show position.
Sitting third approaching the first quarter marker, Atlantis wanted to be the boss on the front end and did just that. Setting a :56.4 opening half, Atlantis ($12.40) was able to withstand the late bid from Stratosphere to notch his fourth victory of the campaign.
Owned by Torcello and trained by Sarama, Atlantis (Well Said-Plant A Kiss) has now pushed his 2020 earnings to $17,749 and $52,014 lifetime.
Utah Beach ($4.50) had a similar journey as Atlantis and posted a neck score over Arch O Matic in 1:54.0 in the $10,000 Class A-B Handicap Pace.
Going first over to the opening quarter, Utah Beach (McNeight III) enjoyed the front end trip as Arch O Matic rode the pocket but never could push by in the stretch. Andy's Ideal (Kyle Cummings) rallied for third place.
Owned and trained by Richard Roth, the 6-year-old Utah Beach (Somebeachsomewhere-Pears N Amoretto) has put $23,900 in the bank this season and $223,841 in his career.
Under Paid made his first appearance at Buffalo Raceway a memorable one as he set the track record for 4-year-old pacing horses with a 1:53.4 clocking over the fast track. The time smashed the previous mark of 1:54.3 established in 2015 by Instant Riches.
It was also the first track record of the season at Buffalo Raceway and it came on closing night.
Racing in the $6,400 Class C optional claiming level, Under Paid ($23.00), following the guidance of driver Denny Bucceri, posted splits of :28.2, :56.4, 1:25.1 en route to the 2-1/2 length nod over Chanting Hanover (Drew Monti).
Owned by Jennifer Rogowski, Under Paid is trained by Mike Ohol.
