HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Barry Hanover ($10.60) looked like a prize fighter bobbing and weaving in the stretch, seeking for some racing room in Buffalo Raceway's co-featured $9,700 Open II Pace on Saturday night (July 21). But driver Billy Davis Jr. was patient but persistent and finally found a gap in guiding Barry Hanover to a neck victory over Bugatti in 1:55.3.

Photo by Steve Roth
Barry Hanover finds room late to squeeze out Open II win.

 

In the other $9,700 Open II event, In Runaway Bay N found the 'lightning lane' early and was straight as an arrow to the finish line to notch a $34.20 upset win in 1:55.1.

 

Bugatti (Ron Beback Jr.) showed the way in the opening feature as he set the tempo with fractions of :29.3, :57.4 and 1:26.3. Barry Hanover, who was sitting fifth at the top of the stretch, looked in every direction before Davis Jr. was able to dip him into the passing lane and rally in the shadow of the wire for the victory.

 

Bugatti had to settle for second with Southwind Torque (John Cummings Jr.) taking third.

 

Owned by John Sixt and trained by Judith Blaun, it was the second win in 15 starts this season for the 4-year-old gelded Barry Hanover (Rock N Roll Heaven-Beachbunny). The win increased his seasonal earnings to $17,628 and $105,609 lifetime.

 

In Runaway Bay N (Shawn McDonough) got the perfect stalking trip behind the pace setting Dark Horse and squeezed out a head victory. With panels of :28.2, :57.1 and 1:26.2, a :28.3 final quarter plus clear sailing through the stretch enabled In Runaway Bay N to collar Dark Horse. Tyler (Shawn Gray) took the show position.

Photo by Steve Roth
In Runaway Bay N posts upset in co-featured Open II pace.

 

Owned by Mark Jakubik and trained by Angelo Nappo, it was the third win in 21 starts in 2018 for 7-year-old gelded Runaway Bay N (Mach Three-Pullover Brown). His bankroll jumped to $29,515 this year and to $171,135 in his career. 

 

Gray finished the evening with three winners in the bike with Monti and Davis Jr. adding two apiece. Dave McNeight Sr. had two training victories.

 

With the 2018 season now complete, the track announced its award winners for the year on Saturday night. 

 

Drew Monti won his first driving championship at Buffalo Raceway with 123 victories as the 23-year-old went over $700,000 in purses. Shawn Gray took the runner up spot with 106 wins and Billy Davis Jr. finished in third with 100 in his initial season at the track.

 

James Clouser Jr. took his first training title at the Hamburg half-mile oval with 81 wins and over $415,000 in earnings. JD Perrin ended up second in the standings with 63 victories while Maria Rice rounded out the top three with 42 victories.

 

The "Trotter of the Year" went to Fox Valley Veto who broke the all-aged trotting record on Friday night at Buffalo Raceway with a 1:56.0 victory to solidify the honor. Fox Valley Veto (Pizzazzed-Yankee Victory Om) is co-owned by the Vogel & Wags Nags Stable along with Jack Rice. The 7-year-old gelding is trained by Maria Rice and won five times in 16 tries at Buffalo, amassing $40,489 in purse money.

 

The "Pacer of the Year" award went to Lightning Raider N (Christian Cullen-Talent Hanover) as the 13-year-old gelding posted 12 victories in 21 starts in 2018 for then owner Mae Smith. Lightning Raider N had bankrolled $38,349 until he was claimed last weekend by Marissa Russo and Kenneth Urbanczyk for $5,500.

 

He didn't last long in their barn as Mike Torcello claimed him on Saturday night for $8,000 with Gerry Sarama listed as the trainer. Lightning Raider N finished fifth in the race.

 

Simulcasting at Buffalo Raceway will be closed from July 23 through August 21 due to the Erie County Fair.

 

Live racing at Buffalo Raceway will return in January of 2019.