HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Badlands Delight the past three weeks managed to get just a taste of the pie with second and third place finishes. But on Wednesday night (May 23) in Buffalo Raceway's featured $9,200 Open II Pace for the ladies, she was able to collect the biggest slice of the purse with a convincing 1-1/4 length victory over Hey Kobe in a seasonal best 1:55.0 over the fast track.

Photo by Steve Roth
Jim Morrill Jr. guides Badlands Delight to victory.

 

Starting from the rail, Badlands Delight and driver Jim Morrill Jr. made sure they weren't going to lose the advantageous draw as they reach in quarter pole in :28,0, parking out Double Down Jo along the way.

 

With middle splits of :56.4 and 1:26.0, the pace-setting Badlands Delight ($7.60) got into high gear around the final turn and opened up a two length edge and never looked back. Hey Kobe (Ray Fisher Jr.) won the battle for the minor spoils with a second place finish while Aritzia Hanover (Billy Davis Jr.) was third. 

 

Owned by Samuel Smith and trained by Gerry Sarama, the 6-year-old mare Badlands Delight (Badlands Hanover-Colada Blue Chip) has now been victorious three times in 16 appearances in 2018. The win pushed her seasonal earnings to $24,692 and $106,872 lifetime.

 

There were a trio of 14-year-olds who found the winner's circle in Buffalo Raceway's 12-race program. 

 

Leading the way was the 14-year-old mare Quicksilvercandy A ($2.20) who registered her 12th win in 15 tries this season with a 1:56.0 decision in a $8,400 optional claimer. She has finished no worse than second this year.

 

Quicksilvercandy A (Ray Fisher Jr.) is now tied for the top spot in the United States for the most victories in 2018 with Walks Of Life who also has 12 wins but with three more starts.

 

The other 'old-timers' to win were Wynsum Magic ($7.00) and Rush Rules ($12.20).

 

Morrill Jr. and Fisher Jr. each completed the evening with three victories each while John Cummings Jr. added a double. Ryan Swift and Gerry Sarama each conditioned two winners.

 

Racing will resume on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with a 13-race program slated.