HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Ali De Vie sure must like the work of Buffalo Raceway track photographer Steve Roth.

 

For the third straight Friday night, Ali De Vie (Jim Morrill Jr.) posed for pictures in the winner's circle for Roth by taking the $9,000 featured trot in a seasonal best 1:58.1 over the good track. 

 

And while Ali De Vie ($8.30) isn't camera shy, he's not afraid of taking on stiffer competition each week either. He's stepped up in class the past three starts and showed that he's capable of handling the tougher tasks.

 

As expected, the speed ball Lutetium (Ron Beback Jr.) zoomed to the top from the outside. Ali De Vie managed to find a seat in fourth as Lutetium posted panels of 28.4, 58.3 and 1:28.2. 

 

Starting a first over trip just past the half-mile marker, Ali De Vie steadily began to slice into the lead of Lutetium and nudged ahead in mid stretch to pull away for a half length win. Lutetium was a stubborn second while Carbon Footprint (Drew Monti) picked up the third place check.

 

In was the fourth win of the season for Ali De Vie (Conway Hall-Excusez Moi). The 6-year-old gelding has put $13,706 in the bank in 2016 and $105,944 lifetime. He is owned and trained by Marc Shuttleworth.

 

Morrill Jr. finished the evening with four victories while Todd Cummings added a double.

 

Racing will continue on Saturday night at 6 p.m. with an 11-race card scheduled.

 

Buffalo Raceway will host a qualifier on Saturday for the World Harness Handicapping Championships at The Meadowlands. The winner will get an entry into the WHHC on April 30th along with hotel accommodations for two nights and $500. Entry fee is $10 and participants must be a Hamburg Gaming Players Reward member, which is free to join.

 

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