by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. ---- It was 'Miller time' at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (July 13) as the husband and wife combination of Andy and Julie dominated the action in the New York Sire Stakes for the 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters.
The Millers won three $27,250 divisions as Devious Man set a new mark for the 2-year-old colt trotters with a 1:59.2 tour over the Hamburg half-mile oval but only to see stablemate Money Macintosh come along and absolutely destroy it three races later with a powerful 1:58.4 time. Big Man Ev completed the Miller 'trifecta' by taking his race with a 2:00.0 time.
Devious Man first broke the Buffalo Raceway colt standard of 1:59.3 set in 2014 by Royal Deceptor but didn't celebrate it for long as Money Macintosh quickly erased it.
To cap off the night, the Millers took a $15,000 Excelsior A Series bracket as Southwind Cruze ($2.60) trotted the mile in 2:02.2. Andy finished the evening with a five-bagger in the sulky while Julie finished with four training victories.
It was Western New York connections that took the final New York Sire Stakes division as Barn Winner remained undefeated, cruising to an easy 1-3/4 length win in 2:00.0 with former Buffalo Raceway regular Jeff Gregory in the bike.
Barn Winner is co-owned by locals Steven and Nancy Pratt of Corfu, N.Y. and Out In The Country Stables of Darien Center, N.Y.
In Money Macintosh's track record victory, it looked like an instant replay of Devious Man's effort...sit back third, get to the backstretch the final time, use a big brush to the top and never look back.
Lindy The Second was in charge through an opening half of 1:00.0 but was stunned as Money Macintosh ($4.00) exploded and took command, romping to an impressive four length decision over Lindy The Second (Morrill Jr.). Annapolis Hall (Ray Schnittker) took the show position.
"He loves to work," Miller said of Money Macintosh. "I asked him to go at the five-eighths pole and he really responded." A 28.2 final quarter mile proved that Money Macintosh wasn't fooling around.
Money Macintosh (Credit Winner-Apple Plush) is owned by Stroy Inc.
In the second division, Devious Man ($4.30) relinquished the lead to Eastern Promise to the opening panel and that move proved to work out perfectly.
Eastern Promise (John Campbell) went to the half in a wicked 59.1 and could only watch as Devious Man blew past him midway down the backstretch the final time.
It looked like Optimist Blue Chip was going to pose a serious threat in the lane but Devious Man found another gear and trotted off to the two length victory. Optimist Blue Chip (Jim Morrill Jr.) managed second and Desired Effect (Jeff Gregory) took the show spot.
"He's a handy trotter," Miller said of Devious Man. "He had a couple of nice bursts in the race. The first was going down the backstretch and then in the stretch. I was cautious going around the final turn but once he straightened out, he was able to get going again."
Devious Man (Credit Winner-Miss Garland) is owned by Stroy Inc. and was able to capture his first lifetime win in his second appearance.
A perfect first over trip by Big Man Ev ($18.60) got the Millers off to a great start on the night, notching 1-1/2 length win over Neon Lights in 2:00.0.
Lightning Lindy was able to set the tempo with times of 30.0, 1:00.4 and 1:31.1. Big Man Ev was sitting in third and started his winning journey down the backstretch and wore down the pace-setter in mid stretch helped by a 28.4 last quarter.
Neon Lights (Chris Lems) rallied late to grab the place position while Lightning Lindy (Sam Schillaci) held on for third.
Big Man Ev (Chapter Seven-Possessed By Lindy) is co-owned by the Andy Miller Racing Stable, the Lindy Racing Stable and Harvey Eisman. It was the first victory for Big Man Ev in two career tries.
Barn Winner (Credit Winner-Hallmarker) had little problem in getting around his stomping grounds in 2:00.0 for Gregory. After playing the give-and-go with Aces And Eights (Dan Daley), Barn Winner found no threats the rest of the way. He was able to turn back Aces And Eights by a non-threatening 1-3/4 lengths while Odeon Blue Chip (Morrill Jr.) was third.
It was the second win in as many career starts for Barn Winner with both victories coming in New York Sire Stakes competition.
In the $15,000 Excelsior A Series, Carmen's Fluke ($3.90) took the first division in 2:00.4 with Campbell in the bike.
Chili ($6.50) took the second leg with a 2:02.3 triumph and Southwind Cruze captured the third division with a 2:02.3 clocking with Miller steering both to victories.
Yank Me Away (Chris Lems) took the first $6,700 Excelsior B Series race in 2:07.1 and returned $5.10 while Security Guard (Kevin Cummings) found the winner's circle in 2:06.3 and paid $6.30 to his backers.
Princess Katie took the $9,000 pace for the filly and mares as driver Ray Fisher Jr. guided her to the mild $10.40 upset in 1:56.1.
Racing will resume on Friday evening at 5 p.m. with an 11-race program set.
Photos:
(Top photo) Money Macintosh set 2-year-old colt trotting mark with a 1:58.4.
(Middle photo) photo) Devious Man sets new mark only to have stablemate Money Macintosh break it.
(Bottom photo) Barn Winner remains undefeated in young career.
Photos by Steve Roth
