by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- With the temperature reaching over 80
degrees at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (April 10), it was perfect 'beach'
weather, Santana Beach ($15.40) weather that is.
Rising up through the ranks the past few weeks, Santana
Beach (Kevin Cummings) found his new level, the $10,000 Class AA-Open
Handicapped classification, just fine by rolling to a two length victory
over Southwind Onyx in 1:54.3, the fastest time of the 2021 meet.
Back on March 6, Santana Beach paced to a four length score
in the Class C division in 1:56.4. From there, it's been a steady climb onward
and upwards with success found at each tougher division. After a victory last
week in the Class A bracket, it was time for another jump for Santana
Beach and it turned out to be another win.
Sitting third past the half, Santana Beach started his first
over journey and eventually went by the pace-setting Mr Ham Sandwich
approaching the final panel.
In the lane, a 28.3 final split was more than enough for
Santana Beach to collect his third straight victory and fourth in his last five
appearances. Southwind Onyx (Kyle Cummings) made a mild bid late to finish
second while Stratosphere (Drew Monti) finished in third.
Owned by Jason Newell and trained by Richard Roth, it was
the fourth win in seven tries for the 6-year-old gelded Santana Beach (Santanna
Blue Chip-Beachs Luck). The victory jumped his seasonal earnings to $16,614 and
$192,585 in his career.
Thor De Vie romped by 4-3/4 lengths in the $8,800 Class A
pace by wiring the field for driver Kevin Cummings in a seasonal best of
1:54.4.
There was little drama in the event as Thor De Vie went the
middle splits in :56.3 which proved to be too much for the rest of the field.
Loaded Deck (Shawn McDonough) took the runner up position with Beachy
Dream (Jim Morrill Jr.) placing third.
Co-owned by trainer Jim Graham, Lee Winters, Giuseppe
Micchia and Paul Tandlmeyer, it was the second win in seven starts this season
for Thor De Vie (So Surreal-Pebblebeach De Vie). The victory took his 2021
bankroll to $14,408 and $275,058 lifetime.
Kevin Cummings led the way for the drivers with four wins
with Ray Fisher Jr. adding a pair. Lee Dahn and Ryan Swift had training
doubles.
Racing will resume on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with a
10-race card set. There will be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 in the Pick 5 which
begins in the second race.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, entries and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
