HAMBURG, N.Y. ---  It was St. Patrick's Day at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday evening (March 17) but no luck of the Irish was needed by the favorites as Mach Stockn Barrel ($3.30) and Fox Valley Veto ($3.00) won the co-featured Open Pace and Open Trot respectively.

Photo by Steve Roth
Mach Stockn Barrel wins fifth race of the season.

 

Mach Stockn Barrel (Shawn Gray) used an inside trip to capture the $9,500 Pace by topping Hardts Or Bettor by a half length in 1:56.1 over the fast surface. It was the fifth win in eight starts for Mach Stockn Barrel who has yet to finish off the board in 2018.

 

Fox Valley Veto, after four consecutive second place finishes, finally got a picture opportunity with track photographer Steve Roth by going coast to coast in turning back Lenny Mac by 1-1/2 lengths in 2:00.2.

 

In the opener, Mach Stockn Barrel used a ground-saving inside trip to notch the win. Starting from the one spot, Hardts Or Bettor (Davis McNeight III) enjoyed the top for a brief moment before Mach Stockn Barrel retook the lead just past the opening panel.

 

Cruising along on the front end past the three-quarter marker, Mach Stockn Barrel saw Im So Handsome pull to a brief advantage around the final turn. That was the best Im So Handsome would do however as Mach Stockn Barrel kicked it into high gear and held off Hardts Or Bettor by a half length. China Dream (Billy Davis Jr.) took third. A final split of 28.3 did the trick for Mach Stockn Barrel.

Photo by Steve Roth
Fox Valley Veto finally gets photo opportunity.

 

Owned by William Emmons and trained by James Clouser Jr., Mach Stockn Barrel (Mach Three-Timeless Classic) is a 7-year-old gelding that has earned $26,256 this season and $146,980 lifetime.

 

Fox Valley Veto wasted no time in taking control of the Open Trot, zooming to the lead and never looking back. A pedestrian :31.3 third panel sealed the deal for fresh Fox Valley Veto as Lenny Mac (Gray) couldn't make any headway down the lane while City Kid (Ray Fisher Jr.) took the show position.

 

Co-owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable along with Jack Rice, Fox Valley Veto (Piazzazzed-Yankee Victory) is a 7-year-old gelding that is trained by Maria Rice. The victory upped his seasonal bankroll to $21,829 and $416,667 in his career.

 

Gray turned in a five-bagger while Davis Jr. and Drew Monti tripled. Clouser Jr. had four winners on the training side with JD Perrin adding three.

 

Racing will return on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. with a 12-race program slated.