by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Under Paid was overlooked in Buffalo
Raceway's $10,000 Class AA-Open Handicapped Pace on Saturday night (March
20) as he went from last to first in the stretch to post the $11.20 upset in a
seasonal best 1:56.0.
Sitting fifth in the field of five turning for home, Under
Paid (Ray Fisher Jr.) found wiggle room down the lightning lane and
chugged his way to the lead in the shadow of the wire to stun the remaining
four participants. He beat Stratosphere (Drew Monti) by a half length while
Allstar Energy (Ron Beback Jr.) took the show spot.
Weekend Atnannies set the tempo of the race with
fractions of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:27.0 over the fast track. Turning for home, the
field fanned out with all having a legitimate chance but Under
Paid squeezed through along the inside and used a :28.3 final stanza to
collect the victory.
Owned by Jennifer Rogowski and trained by Ryan Swift, it was
the second victory in four attempts in 2021 for Under Paid. The 5-year-old
horse (Rocknroll Dance-Upfront Cruzin) has earned $10,612 this
season and $118,144 in his lifetime.
In the sub-featured $8,880 Class A Pace, Southwind Onyx
($6.50) tipped three-wide in the stretch and barreled past Thor De Vie late to
take the neck score in 1:56.1. A final quarter mile of :28.2 was the key to the
victory.
Following the first over cover of Thor De Vie at the top of
the lane, driver Kyle Cummings and Southwind Onyx were much the best and won
drawing away. Thor De Vie (David McNeight III) hung on for second while the
pace-setting Ohio Prince (Fisher Jr.) was third.
Co-owned by trainer Tammy Cummings and Michael Blidy, it was
the first victory in five starts for the 6-year-old gelded Southwind Onyx
(Bettor's Delight-Its Only Rocknroll). The win upped his earnings to $8,336 on
the campaign and $124,142 in his career.
Racing will continue on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. with an
11-race card scheduled. There will be a $3,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick 5
which starts in the second race.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
