by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It's been a while, 68 days to be exact, but Lougazi finally got back to his winning ways on Friday afternoon (July 8) at Buffalo Raceway by clipping Mugshots Bro by a head in the $16,500 Open Trot.
Photo by Bill Burke | ||
Lougazi gets back to winning ways in Open Trot on Friday. |
Lougazi, though winless since April 30, has been earning his keep during the drought by notching four second place finishes and a third. But this time, he wasn't playing second fiddle to anyone.
With Mugshots Bro (Jim Morrill Jr.) showing the way through splits of :29.2, 1:00.0 and 1:29.0, Lougazi started his usual first over grind to the top.
In the lane, Mugshots Bro was stubborn on the lead but Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) inched past in the shadow of the wire to claim the victory in a seasonal best 1:57.4 over the fast track. Mugshots Bro had to settle for the tough luck second place check while E Street (James McNeight Jr.) rolled in for third.
Owned by Mary Warriner and trained by Ryan Swift, it was the fourth win in 13 attempts this year for the 8-year-old gelding Lougazi (Lou's Legacy-Winning Blade). The victory increased his seasonal earnings to $54,750 and $370,011 in his career.
All eyes were on Franks Watching ($2.40) in the bub-featured $12,400 Trot and he didn't disappoint as he wired the field in 2:01.1. He beat Photo Bomber (Kevin Cummings) by 4-1/2 lengths while Lunar Credit (McNeight Jr.) captured the show spot.
After a bit of a tussle with Photo Bomber for the early stages, Franks Watching steamrolled his way to the lead and put up soft fractions of :30.4, 1:02.1 and 1:32.3. There were no challengers in the lane allowing Franks Watching to stroll off to the convincing victory.
Photo by Bill Burke | ||
Franks Watching strolls off to 4-1/2 length victory. |
Owned by Warriner and trained by Swift, it was the third win in 10 attempts for the 5-year-old gelded Franks Watching (Pilgrims Chuckie-Winning Blade). The victory upped his 2022 bankroll to $29,003 and $111,600 lifetime.
There were six divisions in the second leg of the $10,000 Knockout Series with the winners being Silverhill Blaze ($2.80), London Seelster ($8.50), Princesa Alta ($12.60), Ruthless Dude ($2.60), Goldin Kid ($9.90) and New Number Who Dis ($3.20).
Morrill Jr. had a driving triple and there were plenty of doubles to go around on the program as Drew Monti, Kash Jr., David McNeight III and Fisher Jr. all registered two wins each. Trainers Michael Deruntz, Michael Ohol and Swift each had two victories apiece.
Racing returns on Saturday at 1:30 pm. with another 12-race card set.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com