by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It was a perfect split for the fans at
Buffalo Raceway as both the chalk and long shot players enjoyed the 10-race
card on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 13).
Mississippi Rabbit (Drew Monti) didn't disappoint his followers
as he took the $14,000 Open I-II Pace and returned $3.80. On the opposite end
of the spectrum, Schnickel Fritz kept up his end of the bargain and notched the
$23.40 upset in the $13,000 Open II-III Trot, making it an even split on the
day.
The main pacing event saw Mississippi Rabbit use a first
over trip and was able to hold off a pesky Endeavors Pride (Kevin Cummings) in
1:59.1 over the sloppy track. Paprike Blue Chip (Shawn McDonough) took the show
position.
Sunfirewindrain took early control of the pace and used
splits of :29.4 and :59.4 to the half. Those fractions proved to be too
ambitious as Mississippi Rabbit started his first over journey and was in
command turning for home. Endeavors Pride made a bid late but could get no
closer than 1-1/4 lengths at the wire.
Owned by Rocco Stebbins and conditioned by Joe Skowyra, it
was the first start of the campaign for the 8-year-old gelded Mississippi
Rabbit (Richess Hanover-Dixie Darlin). It was his 32nd lifetime win and pushed
his career bankroll to $341,714.
In the featured trot, Schnickel Fritz (Kyle Cummings)
captured a three-way photo and beat the favored Warrawee Windsor by a nose in
2:04.3 over the sloppy track. The tempo-setting Photo Bomber was just a head
back in third.
Photo Bomber (Kevin Cummings) was able to stomp out
fractions of :30.2, 1:01.2 and 1:32.4. He looked home free midway down the
stretch but Schnickel Fritz and Warrawee Windsor were barreling on the outside,
closing the gap with each stride. A photo was needed to separate the top two
with Schnickel Fritz getting a nose in front while Warrawee Windsor had to
settle for the disappointing second place check.
Owned by Michael Ohol Jr. and Steven Gross, the 7-year-old
gelded Schnickel Fritz (Dontyouforgetit-The Power Of Magic) has now found
the winner's circle twice in three attempts in 2022. Trained by Michael Ohol,
the win pushed the seasonal earnings for Schnickel Fritz to $12,824 and
$145,565 lifetime.
The big wins included victories by My Money Honey ($17.80),
Schnickel Fritz ($23.40), Amora Beach ($30.40), Bugatti ($34.40) and Smooth
Mara N ($74.80).
Monti, Kevin Cummings and Kyle Cummings each collected
driving doubles while Skowyra had two training victories.
Racing will continue on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. with a
9-race card scheduled. With the Pick 5 not being hit on Sunday afternoon thanks
to some tote busters, there will be a guaranteed pool of $15,000 in the
sequence which begins in the second race.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
