HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Lenny Mac made a big move early in Buffalo Raceway's $9,500 Open Trot on Saturday night (March 3) and it proved to the right move as the lone mare in the field beat the boys once again by turning back Fox Valley Veto in a season's best 1:59.2 over the sloppy track. It was the second straight Open Trot win for Lenny Mac.

Photo by Steve Roth
Lenny Mac has seasonal best in Open Trot victory.

 

With the field settling in single file around the first turn, driver Shawn Gray blasted Lenny Mac ($4.40) to the top at the quarter pole. Putting up fractions of 30.1, 1:00.3 and 1:30.3, the last quarter mile boiled down to see if Lenny Mac could hold off the challenge of the pocket-sitting Fox Valley Veto. 

 

There was little doubt however as Lenny Mac had no issue in holding back the threat of Fox Valley Veto (Billy Davis Jr.) and crossed the line comfortably in front by a length. Empire Earl N (Drew Monti) took third.

 

Lenny Mac (Kadabra-Lend A Hand) is a 7-year-old mare who is owned by William Emmons and trained by James Clouser Jr. The win was her third in five starts in 2018, pushing her seasonal earnings to $17,385 and $255,175 lifetime.

 

In the sub-featured $8,800 pace, Heaven Rocks (Monti) was able to hold off Hardts Or Bettor (David McNeight III) by 3/4 lengths by covering the mile in 1:57.3.

 

After watching Validus Deo take early command, Heaven Rocks used a first over trip to gain the lead and brought Hardts Of Bettor in tow with a panel to pace. The pair broke away from the field down the lane with Heaven Rocks in no serious jeopardy of losing his lead. Mach Stockn Barrel (Gray) rallied late for the show position.

 

Owned by Tessa Roland and conditioned by JD Perrin, Heaven Rocks (Rock N Roll Heaven-Cheerful Outlook) is a 6-year-old gelding that now has two victories in five tries this season. The win pushed his 2018 winnings to $16,115 and $143,941 in his career.

 

Gray, Buffalo Raceway's leading driver, continues to pile up the victories as he added another three to his total. McNeight III also had three trips to the winner's circle while Monti and Billy Davis Jr. added doubles. 

 

Clouser Jr., Buffalo Raceway's top conditioner, had another good night by posting a training three-bagger and Perrin scored a pair.

 

Racing will resume on Wednesday with a 10-race program set for 5 p.m. There is a $526 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the second race.