HAMBURG, N.Y. --- After making two starts at Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland to begin his 2017 campaign, Studio City had a successful return to familiar territory, that being Buffalo Raceway on Friday evening (April 21) and captured the featured $8,200 trot with a length victory over Noble Legend in 1:59.2.

 

Photo by Steve Roth
Studio City makes successful return to Buffalo Raceway.

Studio City, who had five wins on the Western New York circuit in 2016, made two uneventful starts at Rosecroft earlier this month before shuffling off to Buffalo.

 

It was a mad scramble for the lead in the early going as Kahoku, Noble Legend and Studio City battled for command. 

 

Noble Legend won the dash to the quarter pole, parking out Kahoku along the way while Studio City ($7.70) tucked into the pocket. With fractions of 28.4, 57.4 and 1:29.0, the race eventually boiled down to that trio who pulled away from the pack.

 

Studio City (Larry Stalbaum) rolled to the lead from the passing lane while a stubborn Noble Legend (John Cummings Jr.) settled for second and a tiring Kahoku (Kevin Cummings) hung on for third.

 

Co-owned by Scott Woogen and Lisa Denison and trained by Lisa Lederhouse, the 8-year-old gelded Studio City (Conway Hall-Yagot Prestige) has now earned $5,660 in his young 2017 season and $274,370 lifetime.

 

David McNeight III swept the mid daily double with Mr Bricks ($64.50) and Hunter Valley ($85.50) to produce a massive $1433.00 payoff. The big bombs also created a $1712 carryover in the Pick-5 going into Saturday night's 11-race program which begins at 6 p.m.

 

Larry Stalbaum had a triple with Drew Monti, Jim Morrill Jr., and Ray Fisher Jr. all doubling in the bike. Trainers Kim Asher and Darrin Monti each had a pair of winners.