by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
Post time for the 13-race program is 1:05 p.m.
Scoring from the five post for driver Jeff Gregory, Barn Doll has been installed as the heavy even money morning line favorite. She's a winner of over $400,000 in just 15 career starts and looks to make it six straight victories.
Barn Doll won impressively in the $248,275 Empire Breeders Crown on June 21 at Vernon Downs in 1:52.1. She is co-owned locally by Steven and Nancy Pratt of Corfu, N.Y. and the Purple Haze Stables of Fairport, N.Y. Barn Doll is 5-for-6 in 2015 with $193,074 in the bank. She also has been either first or second in 14-of-15 career appearances.
If a challenger is going to defeat Barn Doll, it could be Summers Windsong (Rc Royalty-O Dana O) who lost by a nose in 1:58.1 on July 5 at Goshen in an Excelsior 'A' Series race. Ray Schnittker trains and drives the filly and will guide her from the two post.
The second division, scheduled as the seventh race, looks wide open with Jewels In Hock with Hall of Fame driver John Campbell in the sulky getting a 4-1 morning line. She won by a nose in 1:58.1 at Goshen on July 5, edging out Summers Windsong.
Campbell, who hasn't raced at Buffalo Raceway since 1992, hasn't won here since 1990. He hopes to break the 25-year drought with a win off the rail with Jewels In Hock (Credit Winner-Jewels Galore). She is the top money winner in the field with $86,770 in the bank.
Lady Winona (Credit Winner-Ladylind) looks to be rounding into form after a sharp three-length win on July 4 in 1:54.1 at the Meadowlands. Starting from the four spot, Lady Winona will have Andy Miller in the bike for trainer Julie Miller. They are sitting at 2-1 in the morning line.
A horse to watch out for is Northern Obsession who starts from the seven post for driver Greg Merton. She has handle half-mile tracks very well with a win a Freehold and three narrow losses at Yonkers and Saratoga. Northern Obsession (Conway Hall-Northernpossession) is 5-1 on the morning line.
There will also be two $15,000 Excelsior Series 'A' races on the matinee card along with a pair of $6,660 Excelsior 'B' Series events
For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
Barn Doll shown winning 2014 Sire Stakes at Buffalo Raceway.
Photo by Steve Roth