HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Instant Thrill was the point leader in his Claiming Championship Series category ($12,500-$15,000 horse and gelding pacers) and he showed that wasn't a fluke by smoking the field in the $15,600 finale at Buffalo Raceway on a steamy Saturday night (July 23).

 

Putting up a seasonal best time of 1:54.0, Instant Thrill (Michael Whelan) romped to an 6-3/4 length victory over Keeping Optimistic (David McNeight III) in wire-to-wire fashion and returned a surprising $14.00 for the win.

 

Using blistering splits of 27.4, 56.2 and 1:25.1, Instant Thrill was up by eight lengths at the top of the stretch as the field was waving the white flag in surrender by then.

 

Owned by Paul and Ronald Louis Viele and trained by Alex Giuliani, it was his sixth win in 21 starts for Instant Thrill, now a winner of $33,660 this season and $159,187 lifetime.

 

In the $8,000-$10,000 category of the horse and gelding pacers, Zipnthruthehall (McNeight III) battled with Enzo Seelster (Shawn McDonough) through the stretch before pulling away for a 1-1/2 length decision in a seasonal best 1:56.0 to win the lion's share of the $14,000 purse.

 

Donegal Jim (Drew Monti) got the perfect pocket trip and rallied in the passing lane to capture the $10,800 event for the $5,000-$7000 colt and gelding pacers. Donegal Jim ($8.40) covered the mile in 1:57.0.

 

K C Colt sprung a $16.00 upset in the $10,000 battle for the $4,000 horse and gelding pacers with a 1:57.1 time for driver Mickey Holliday.

 

Socialdelight (Kevin Cummings) was able to nose out a stubborn Im The Cash Man (Drew Monti) to take the title in the $8,000-$12,500 trotting bracket. Socialdelight ($5.10) covered the mile in 1:59.2 to win the $14,800 race.

 

Herbie Is Gone ($3.40) was long gone in the $10,000 race for $4,000-$5,500 trotters with an easy 1-1/2 length decision over stablemate Terracina AS (Todd Cummings). Herbie Is Gone (Ray Fisher Jr.) toured the Hamburg half-mile oval in 2:00.4.

 

McNeight III had a driving triple on the evening with Whelan notching a double. Trainer Alex Giuliani conditioned a pair of winners.

 

Buffalo Raceway will close the 2016 campaign on Sunday afternoon with first post at 12:30 p.m. It will be Customer Appreciation Day with free programs, drawings for concert and Erie County Fair tickets along with free sno cones and cotton candy for the kids.