HAMBURG, N.Y. --- After finishing in the money 30 out of 40 times in 2018 including 10 victories and over $90,000 in earnings, Empire Earl N ($3.40) showed that the change in the calendar year makes no difference to him.

 

Driver Billy Davis Jr. waited patiently with Empire Earl N and collared Time Will Tell All (Shawn Gray) in the stretch to collect the neck victory in Buffalo Raceway's $10,500 Class A Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday night (Feb. 6). It was the third straight for Empire Earl N as he closed the 2018 campaign at Batavia Downs with a pair of wins.

Photo by Steve Roth
Empire Earl N uses passing lane to take featured trot.

 

Benefiting from the scratches of Snapshot Springs and On Thunder Road N, Empire Earl N was able to score from the six post instead of the eight spot. Tucking in second off the gate, Empire Earl N watched as Time Will Tell All set the fractions of :29.3, 1:01.4 and 1:33.0 over the soupy track.

 

In the stretch, On Thunder Road held gamely but Empire Earl N had just enough left, splashing by the front runner down the passing lane, grabbing the win in 2:04.4. Lucky Guess (Drew Monti) captured the show position.

 

Owned by Kimberly Asher and trained by Riley Asher-Stalbaum, it was the 27th career win for the 11-year-old gelded Empire Earl N (Earl-Santa Nita). The win pushed his career earnings to $257,344.

 

In the $9,500 Class A pace for the fillies and mares, You Mach Me Crazy  took command past the half mile marker and cruised to a 4-1/2 length win over Aritzia Hanover (Davis Jr.) in 2:01.4. 

 

Owned by William Emmons and trained by James Clouser Jr., You Mach Me Crazy returned $6.60 to her backers.

 

Davis Jr. put three more victories into his win column in 2019 while Gray, Monti and Ray Fisher Jr. all doubled. JD Perrin collected a pair of training victories.

 

Racing will resume on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with a 12-race card scheduled.

 

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