by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- There was no breather for Stratosphere
($12.80) in Buffalo Raceway's $10,500 Class AA-Open Handicapped Pace on
Saturday night (April 24) but he was more than up to the persistent challenges
in taking a half length win over Mr Ham Sandwich in 1:54.1, the fastest mile of
the 2021 meet.
After collecting the lead just before the opening panel,
Stratosphere (Drew Monti) was under constant siege during the entire mile tour
around the half mile oval.
First it was Santana Beach who was parked alongside
Stratosphere for the first half. After Santana Beach threw in the towel, it was
now time for Mr Ham Sandwich and Iluvtomakemoney to take their turns at
Stratosphere.
While giving it their best shots, Stratosphere was more than
up for the challenge and gamely crossed the finish line ahead of Mr Ham
Sandwich (David McNeight III) and Iluvtomakemoney (Ray Fisher Jr.).
Owned by Drew Monti and trained by Darrin Monti, it was the
second victory in five attempts this season for the 6-year-old gelded
Stratosphere (Mach Three-Northern Jade). The win improved his seasonal bankroll
to $14,450 and $127,315 lifetime.
In the co-featured $10,400 Class A-Open Handicapped Trot,
Southern Palms )$3.20) let Mr Quaker do all the dirty work then went by in deep
stretch to register the head decision in a seasonal best of 1:57.1.
Mr Quaker blasted off the starting gate and posted quick
fractions of :28.4, :57.1 and 1:26.3. Southern Palms (Jim Morrill Jr.) stayed
in the pocket until ducking down into the passing lane and eventually going
past the stubborn Mr Quaker. Keystone Apache (Billy Davis Jr.) finished in
third place.
Owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama, the
8-year-old gelded Southern Palms (RC Royalty-Pacific Elegance) has now posted
three wins in eight starts this year. The victory increased his earnings to
$15,445 on the campaign and $356,613 in his career.
There were a couple of big shockers on the evening as This
Baby Rocks (Fisher Jr.) kicked off the 11-race program with an $86.00 victory
while Gallant Major (Jim McNeight Jr.) followed that up in the fifth race with
an $84.50 triumph.
Morrill Jr. completed the evening with three driving wins
while Fisher Jr. and Monti had doubles. Sarama had a pair of training
victories.
Racing will continue on Wednesday evening with an 11-race
card with a scheduled post time of 5 p.m. There will be a guaranteed pool of
$10,000 in the Pick 5 which begins in the second race.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
