by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It's been nearly six months since Black Is
Back ($4.70) went to the winner's circle but he made it 'back' there on
Saturday night (May 8) after taking a three quarter length win over Mr Ham
Sandwich in Buffalo Raceway's $10,500 Class AA-Handicapped Pace.
The previous time Black Is Back had a photo opportunity was
on November 28, 2020 when he won the $8,500 Open I Pace at Batavia Downs. Last
week, Black Is Back suffered a tough three-quarter loss to Mr Ham Sandwich but
was able to turn the tables on him this time around.
Taking control from the start, Black Is Back (Shawn
McDonough) put up splits of :29.0, :57.2 and 1:26.2 over the fast track. Things
got interesting in the stretch drive with Mr Ham Sandwich (David McNeight III)
taking dead aim on the leader but Black Is Back gutted it out to hit the wire first.
Endeavors Pride (Wade Tomaszewski) took the show position.
Co-owned by Curtis Edholm and Mihajlo Zdjelar Sr. and
conditioned by Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr., it was the first win of the campaign in
three outings for Black Is Back. The 8-year-old gelding (Western Terror-Magic
Moments) has produced $7,900 in earnings this year and $296,775 lifetime.
In the co-featured $10,200 Class A-Open Handicapped Trot,
Stormont Rare ($4.70) continued his dominance as he captured his fourth
straight victory at Buffalo Raceway with a three-quarter length win over
Mugshots Bro in 1:57.4.
A field of five were slated to battle in the trotting main
event but Before I Die was scratched which moved it down to four. At the start,
Mr Quaker jumped it off, leaving Majestic Kat, Mugshot Bro and Stormont Rare
left to duke it out.
Majestic Kat (Billy Davis Jr.) showed the way through the
first three panels with splits of :29.0, :58.4 and 1:28.2. Turning for home,
Majestic Kat (Billy Davis Jr.) broke stride which evaporated her
hopes. Stormont Rare (Jim Morrill Jr.)now inherited the lead he had no
problem in beating Mugshots Bro (McDonough). Majestic Kat regrouped to take
third place.
Owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama, it was
the fourth win in 11 starts for the 5-year-old gelded (Stormont Rare
(Glidemaster-Stormont Fried). The victory upped his seasonal earnings to
$19,805 and $20,379 in his career.
Morrill Jr. had four victories in the bike, McNeight III
picked up three with McDonough getting a pair. Sarama had four training
victories while Cassandra Johnson notched her first career win as she
conditioned Daylight Rush ($4.90) to the decision in the fifth race.
Racing will resume on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. with an
11-race program set. There will be a $5,000 guaranteed pool 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
