HAMBURG, N.Y. --- The ink had hardly dried in the Buffalo Raceway record book but Double Class broke his own mark he set a week earlier for the 4-year-old gelding trotters with heart-stopping 1:56.1 head victory over Power And Grace in the $14,000 Open I-II Handicapped Trot on Saturday evening (July 20).

Photo by Barnstormer Images
Double Class breaks own mark in Open Trot win.

Last Saturday, Double Class ($11.40) set the new time in that division with a 1:56.2 journey. He needed every moment this time as he toppled Power And Grace who was selected the Trotter Of The Meet just a few minutes before post time. 

 

Power And Grace (Drew Monti) rolled to the early advantage but a parked E Street took over the lead at the quarter pole in :28.2. Power And Grace wanted no part of the pocket and stormed back in front and collected fractions of :58.0 and 1:26.4.

 

In what probably will go down as one of the best races of the 2024 season at Buffalo Raceway, Double Class (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Power And Grace broke away from the field and went stride for stride down the stretch. Neither trotter was willing to give in an inch but Double Class had just enough of a final push approaching the wire to nip Power And Grace and set the new track record. R Royal Port (Kyle Swift) took the show honors.

 

Owned and trained by James Clouser Jr., Double Class (Class Included-Double Ivory)  has now earned $44,205 on the season and $82,705 on the year. It was his fifth victory in 21 appearances.

 

In the $14,000 Open Pace, Blazing Light (Kyle Cummings) followed the pace setting Davey Day Trader before rallying down the 'lightning lane' to collect the length victory in 1:54.3.

Photo by Barnstormer Images
Blazing Light 'blazes' to victory in Open Pace.

Firing off the starting gate, Davey Day Trader (James McNeight Jr.) set comfortable splits of :29.1, :58.2 and 1:26.3. But a wall of horses began to swoop in on Davey Day Trader. Blazing Light ($16.00) found clear sailing in the passing lane and cruised past Davey Day Trader with Scribblers (Drew Monti) taking third.

 

Owned by Kyle Cummings and conditioned by Tammy Cummings, it was the third win in nine starts for the 6-year-old gelded Blazing Light (Sweet Lou-Light Up). The victory pushed his 2024 bankroll to $25,098 and $157,518 in his career. 

 

Buffalo Raceway handed out awards on Saturday evening with Power And Grace named the Trotter Of The Meet. The 8-year-old mare (Holiday Road-Mark Of Honour) is owned by Hartel Maintenance Inc., Lormer McClure, Brett MacDonald and Reg Higgs. Trained by Ronald MacDonald won six out of 15 races at Buffalo, earning $58,820.

 

Egomania took home Pacer Of The Meet honors. After sweeping all three legs of the Spring Up Series, the David Russo trainee then captured the finals. Owned by Anthony Barone, Egomania won six of 14 attempts and had over $47,000 in winnings.

 

Samuel Smith took home his second consecutive Trainer Of The Meet award after registering 60 wins through Friday and nearly $500,000 in purses. 

 

The final live racing program of 2024 comes on Sunday with seven races scheduled for noon. Also, the simulcast center will close after the action on Sunday afternoon as well.

 

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