HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Southern Palms was 'hands down' the best on Saturday night (May 5) in Buffalo Raceway's $10.400 Open Trot by wiring the field in a seasonal best 1:57.2. He easily beat Noble Legend by 2-1/4 lengths.

	Photo by Steve Roth
	Southern Palms pulls mild upset in Open Trot.

 

Starting from the three post, Southern Palms trotted smartly to the lead and notched fractions of :29.0, :58.4 and 1:27.4. In the drive to the wire, driver Kevin Cummings kept the upset minded Southern Palms ($15.20) on task and squashed the hopes of Noble Legend (Billy Davis Jr.) and Empire Earl N (Ray Fisher Jr.) who took second and third respectively.

 

Trained by Gerry Sarama and owned by Michael Torcello, it was the second straight pace-setting victory for the 5-year-old gelded Southern Palms (RC Royalty-Pacific Elegance). The win moved his 2018 bankroll to $14,278 and $208,379 in his career.

 

In the co-featured $9,600 pace, Upfront Countryboy went off as the 1-to-9 favorite and it was a drama-free journey in the 5-3/4 length romp over six other rivals.

 

Scoring from the rail, driver Shawn Gray put Upfront Countryboy ($2.30) right to lead and never looked back. After registering splits of :28.2, :57.3 and 1:26.2, he finished the mile in a throttled down 1:54.1 over the fast track. 

 

The best battle of the race was for the minor spoils as China Dream (Davis Jr.) nabbed second place over Linkjack Hanover (JD Perrin).

 

Photo by Steve Roth
Upfront Country doesn't disappoint as favorite.

Owned by William Emmons and trained by James Clouser Jr., it was the sixth win in 10 appearances for Upfront Countryboy (Dragon Again-Cambloid). The 9-year-old gelding has earned $22,157 this season and $385,157 in his career.

 

Cummings and Gray each had triples in the sulky while Monti and Davis Jr. had two victories apiece. Trainers Angelo Nappo, Clouser Jr. and Perrin each conditioned two winners.

 

Racing continues on Wednesday evening with an 11-race program scheduled for 5 p.m.

 

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