HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Luck was on the side of Red Clay on Friday the 13th at Buffalo Raceway.

 

After making a costly break while leading the pack last week, Red Clay was on his best behavior this time around and scored a neck victory in 1:59.2 over Lucky Pablo in the featured $8,200 trot. 

 

Sitting sixth and last past the half mile pole, Red Clay started his march to top as Lucky Pablo set the splits of 29.3, 59.4 and 1:30.2 over the fast track. At the top of the stretch, driver Shawn McDonough and Red Clay went three-wide, stayed on gait, and put a neck in front just before the wire. Lucky Pablo (Jim Morrill Jr.) was a broken hearted second and Striker Ace (Ray Fisher Jr.) third.

 

Co-owned by Patricia Cappotelli and trainer Carmen Cappotelli, Red Clay (American Mike-Ersa Kash) is a 6-year-old gelding who won for the first time in his third start of the campaign. His seasonal earnings moved to $5,142 and $30,956 lifetime.

 

McDonough, Morrill Jr. and David McNeight III finished the evening with a driving doubles while trainer John Mungillo had a pair of victories.

 

Racing will continue on Saturday at 6 p.m. with an 11-race program scheduled. The Pick-5, which begins in the fifth race, will have a carryover of $1,217.

 

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