Livonjaxandqueens Wins In Season Debut

Livonjaxandqueens Wins In Season Debut

March 29, 2025

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Livonjaxandqueens ($11.00) had the winning hand in Buffalo Raceway's $14,000 Open Pace on Saturday afternoon (March 29) by rallying past the pace setting Villiam in 1:56.1 over the good track.


Photo by Barnstormer Images
Livonjaxandqueens wins in 2025 debut.

After turning in a 1:58.3 qualifier on March 19, Livonjaxandqueens, a winner seven times in 2024, showed he was ready for the top level pacers in his seasonal debut.

Villiam, victorious in his last two starts and lukewarm favorite, was assigned the eight post and was able to scramble to the lead with him just before the opening panel. Bringing Livonjaxandqueens along in tow from the pocket, Villiam (Joseph Chindano Jr.) posted fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:27.3.

It was a two horse battle turning for home with Livonjaxandqueens (James McNeight Jr.) pulling the pocket on Villiam and was able to eventually run down the leader, scoring the half length victory in 1:56.1. Silverhill Blaze (John Cummings Jr.) took third place honors.

Owned by Howard Ouriel and trained by James Rothfuss, Livonjaxandqueens (American Ideal-It's De Lovely) is a 5-year-old who has produced $107,525 in earnings thus far in his career.

Another one fresh off the bench for the Ouriel-Rothfuss connections was Andrews Ideal who romped to a four length victory in 1:57.0 at first asking, returning a healthy $33.20.

In the $13,000 Open I-II Handicapped Trot, Grinder (Chindano Jr.) made sure he didn't have to 'grind' out a victory. Instead, he went gate to wire and easily topped Newsboy by two lengths in 1:58. A final half mile of :57.4 sealed the deal for Grinder ($8.40).


Photo by Barnstormer Images
Grinder wires field in victory.

Off the gate, Grinder had little trouble in getting to the point, putting up fractions of :29.4 and 1:00.1. With Newsboy and Crazy Ritz tracking behind in second and third, Grinder stayed strong on the front end and cruised home to the solid victory.

Owned by the P T Stable and conditioned by Candace Brandstatter-Hall, it was the second win in nine attempts on the season for the 9-year-old gelded Grinder (Andover Hall-Wishful Me. The triumph increased his 2025 bankroll to $23,640 and $321,177 lifetime.

Starting this week, Buffalo Raceway will add Fridays to the racing calendar to go along with the usual Wednesday and Saturday programs. Post time each day will be 2:30 p.m. This Wednesday will have 10 events including the $12,500 Open I-II pace for the ladies which will go off as the seventh race.

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