On Friday night, the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers will have their work cut out for them if they want to set a new mark in their division. 

 

The 3-year-old mark is also the same as the all-aged time of 1:52.3 set by Steelhead Hanover in 2012. But the way records have been falling at the Hamburg half-mile oval, with a fast track and warm weather expected, boys will be boys and anything can happen.

 

Earlier this season in the Sire Stakes, Sweetnsinful went 1:54.1 to establish a new mark standard for the 3-year-old pacing fillies while Glowngold notched a 1:59.0 mile to etch her name in the record book for 3-year-old filly trotters.

 

The first $60,200 division will go off as the fifth race on Buffalo Raceway's 13-race card which starts at 6:40 p.m. The Ron Burke-trained entry features Forty Five Red (If I Can Dream-Sakura Hanover) and Keystone Hanover (Bettor's Delight-Heavenly Killean). Forty Five Red won $167,554 last season and finished fifth in an elimination the Art Rooney at Yonkers back on May 24.

 

Keystone Hanover (Kevin Cummings) has started in three NYSS events this year with two third place finishes. The Burke entry is listed as the 3-1 morning line choice.

 

Ari Allstar has faced some rugged tests in his career. He was a finalist in the $534,500 Govenor's Cup at The Meadowlands in November, finishing eighth and was fourth in the $500,000 Breeder's Crown final at Pocono Downs in October. It looks like he's rounding into form for trainer Mark Ford as he posted a 1-1/4 length victory in a $15,640 conditioned pace on June 16 in 1:53 at Mohawk. Mark McDonald is the scheduled driver.

 

The remainder of the field includes Murder He Wrote (Jeff Gregory), Neat (Brent Holland), Believeinthespirit (Ray Fisher Jr.) and Moliere Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.)

 

The second division could be considered the stronger one with the likes of Archetto Hanover, Twin B Speedo and Ideal Cowboy.

 

Archetto Hanover is trained by Erv Miller and comes in with $157,026 in lifetime earnings, $137,076 of which came in 2013. He posted a 1:53.2 clocking in his last appearance at Yonkers and will score from the three post for Cummings.

 

June has been a great month for Twin B Speedo (3-1) with a win at Tioga Downs, a second place at Yonkers and a third at Vernon Downs in Sire Stakes competition. He's been in the money in all six starts in 2014 and has bankrolled $57,172 and $142,433 lifetime. He'll start from the five hole for McDonald and trainer Mark Ford.

 

Ideal Cowboy (4-1) is definitely classy with a win on June 19 in the $74,000 Sire Stakes at Yonkers Raceway in 1:52.4. Trained by PJ Frawley, Ideal Cowboy competed in the $920,000 North American Cup at Mohawk on June 14 but finished ninth. Jim Morrill Jr. must navigate him from the six post.

 

The rest of the field includes I'm All Heart (Matt Kakaley), Sir Sam's Z Tam (Jack Flanigen), Western Conquest (Brent Holland) and El Bloombito (Jeff Gregory).

 

There will also be two $12,500 Excelsior A races for the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers along with a pair of $6,500 Excelsior B races. The $10,500 Open Trot is also featured with local favorite Lutetium returning to battle five other foes.

 

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