HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Stratosphere ($6.10) was shot into orbit by driver Drew Monti right before the opening panel and that bold brush proved to be the difference as the 6-year-old gelding collected the victory in Buffalo Raceway's $11,000 Class AA-Open Handicapped Pace on Saturday night (May 22).

Photo by Bill Burke
Stratosphere's early move pays off late on Saturday.

 

Sitting third behind Santana Beach and Thor De Vie approaching the opening marker, Stratosphere wasn't pleased with the action on the front end so he took control of matters, firing to the lead. 

 

With splits of :28.4, :57.2 and 1:26.0, Stratosphere was ready to face the challenges that awaited him in the home stretch. Daylight Rush (David McNeight III) gave it a good try but couldn't get by Stratosphere who finished a half length in front in 1:54.1. Santana Beach (Kevin Cummings) and Under Paid (Ray Fisher Jr.) finished in a dead heat for third.

 

Stratosphere is owned by driver Drew Monti and conditioned by Darrin Monti. It was the third victory in eight appearances this season for Stratosphere (Mach Three-Northern Jade), now a winner of $20,010 on the campaign and $133,375 in his career. 

 

Mugshot Bro (Shawn McDonough) toiled in the back of the pack in the co-featured $10,000 Class A-Open Handicapped Trot but uncorked a wicked stretch drive to beat the favored Southern Palms by a half length in 1:58.4 over the fast track. Tartufo Lindy (Cummings) was third.

 

Southern Palms (Jim Morrill Jr.) dictated the tempo of the race with fractions of :29.2, :59.1 and 1:28.4. Things looked under control turning for home for Southern Palms but Mugshots Bro was widest of all in the lane and there was no stopping him as he hit the finish line going away.

 

Photo by Bill Burke
Mugshots Bro roars down the stretch to take featured trot.

Co-owned by Herman Niedhammer and Herman Niedhammer Jr., Mugshots Bro (Jailhouse Jesse-Photo Emmy) is trained by McDonough. It was his second decision in four appearances this year for the 8-year-old gelding, a winner of $13,698 on the campaign and $231,719 lifetime.

 

Seafarer (Fisher Jr.) got into contention with a big move down the backstretch then finished the job with a solid kick in the lane to capture the first of two $9,600 Class A paces in 1:55.0 over Sir Pugsley (Travis Henry). Silver Beast (James McNeight Jr.) finished in third.

 

Owned by Tanah Merah Farms LLC and trained by Ryan Swift, it was the fourth victory in 12 starts this season for the 5-year-old gelded Seafarer (Captaintreacherous-Baez). The win increased his 2021 earnings to $16,960 and $152,404 lifetime.

 

In the second division, Allstar Energy (Ron Beback Jr.) watched The Lunch Pail (Monti) do all the dirty work then pounced in the passing lane to take the surprising $20.20 win in 1:56.0. Major Authority (Wade Tomaszewski) rallied late to take second while The Lunch Pail got the third place position.

 

Trained by Beback Jr. and co-owned by Sandra Beback and James Kustra, it was the third triumph in 12 outings for Allstar Energy (Four Starzzz Shark-Flickering Light). The victory upped his 2021 bankroll to $18,257 and $259,478 in his career..

 

Racing will continue on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with a 12-race program scheduled.

 

For more information including the latest news, race replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com