HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Under Paid was overlooked in Buffalo Raceway's $10,000 Class AA-Open Handicapped Pace on Saturday night (March 20) as he went from last to first in the stretch to post the $11.20 upset in a seasonal best 1:56.0.

Photo by Bill Burke
Under Paid rallies late to take the $11.20 upset victory.

 

Sitting fifth in the field of five turning for home, Under Paid (Ray Fisher Jr.) found wiggle room down the lightning lane and chugged his way to the lead in the shadow of the wire to stun the remaining four participants. He beat Stratosphere (Drew Monti) by a half length while Allstar Energy (Ron Beback Jr.) took the show spot.

 

Weekend Atnannies set the tempo of the race with fractions of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:27.0 over the fast track. Turning for home, the field fanned out with all having a legitimate chance but Under Paid squeezed through along the inside and used a :28.3 final stanza to collect the victory.

 

Owned by Jennifer Rogowski and trained by Ryan Swift, it was the second victory in four attempts in 2021 for Under Paid. The 5-year-old horse (Rocknroll Dance-Upfront Cruzin) has earned $10,612 this season and $118,144 in his lifetime.

 

In the sub-featured $8,880 Class A Pace, Southwind Onyx ($6.50) tipped three-wide in the stretch and barreled past Thor De Vie late to take the neck score in 1:56.1. A final quarter mile of :28.2 was the key to the victory.

 

Following the first over cover of Thor De Vie at the top of the lane, driver Kyle Cummings and Southwind Onyx were much the best and won drawing away. Thor De Vie (David McNeight III) hung on for second while the pace-setting Ohio Prince (Fisher Jr.) was third.

 

Co-owned by trainer Tammy Cummings and Michael Blidy, it was the first victory in five starts for the 6-year-old gelded Southwind Onyx (Bettor's Delight-Its Only Rocknroll). The win upped his earnings to $8,336 on the campaign and $124,142 in his career.

 

Racing will continue on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. with an 11-race card scheduled. There will be a $3,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick 5 which starts in the second race.

 

For more information including the latest news, race replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com