HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Little Joke ($4.00) showed the field in the $9,500 Open Pace for the mares at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (Jan. 24) that she wasn't going to fool around as she was all business in wiring the field in 1:58.2.

Photo by Steve Roth
Little Joke wires the field in F&M Open Pace

 

Scoring from the four post, Little Joke scooted right to the lead for driver Billy Davis Jr. and posted fractions of 29.0, 59.2 and 1:29.4 over the fast track.

 

In the drive to the finish line, it was a cavalry charge but no one had the answer as Little Joke held her ground and handily posted the two length win over Voltina (John Cummings Jr.) and Hey Kobe (Shawn McDonough).

 

Co-owned by the Vogel & Wags Nags Stable and Jack Rice, the 6-year-old Little Joke (Bettor's Delight-Town Joke) is trained by Maria Rice. It was her 17th win in just 51 lifetime appearances, earning $164,475 along the way.

 

Quicksilvercandy A (Bad Bert-Forzett), a 14-year-old mare who tied for the most wins in the United States last year with 22, made it a perfect 3-for-3 in 2018 with a 1-1/4 victory over Escada De Vie in 1:59.0. Owned by Larry Stalbaum and trained by Kimberly Asher, it was the 66th career win for Quicksilvercandy A, a winner of $113,694 last year and $687,728 lifetime.

 

Drew Monti and Shawn Gray each had driving triples on the night while Cummings Jr. had a pair. Trainer JD Perrin sent a trip to the winner's circle while Jim Clouser Jr. doubled.

 

Racing on Friday night has been cancelled due to a lack of entries but a 13-race program is set for Saturday evening at 6 p.m.