HAMBURG, N.Y. --- The last time Sweetnsinful was at Buffalo Raceway, it was on July 12, 2013 in the New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old filly pacers. It was a day many will never forget as she was involved in one of the most horrific accidents ever seen at the Hamburg half-mile oval.
This season she returned and this time was involved in a race many will remember.
Sweetnsinful came out swinging and absolutely destroyed the 3-year-old filly pacing track record with a 1:54.1 clocking to highlight the two $60,200 division of the New York Sires Stakes at Buffalo Raceway Wednesday night (June 18). Besides the 3-year-old filly standard, it was the fastest mile ever by any pacing filly or mare over the track.
The time smashed the all-time 3-year-old filly pacing mark of 1:55 set by New Album in 2011 and the all-aged female record of 1:54.2 registered earlier this season by Majic Laughter.
"She was involved in that bad accident last year as a two-year-old. I was worried she might remember that," winning driver Jimmy Whittemore said of Sweetnsinful. "But she just flew around the track tonight. She's a really nice filly."
Sitting third at the half, Whittemore sent Sweetnsinful ($13.00) first over and never looked back when getting the lead just before the three-quarter pole. Spreester (Jim McNeight) tried in vain in the stretch to get past Sweetnsinful but the 28.0 final panel was too much. The margin of victory was 1-1/4 lengths. Anegada (Jack Flanigen) managed to get the show spot.
Sweetnsinful (American Ideal-Ali Badali) is owed by Connie and Homer Hochstetler and is trained by Homer Hochstetler. It was her first win in three starts in 2014 and fifth in 12 lifetime starts. She has now earned $32,536 this year and $252,533 lifetime.
In the $60,200 first division, Blush Hanover ($3.10) and driver Jim Morrill Jr. got up in the shadow of the wire and snatched the victory away from front-running Barefoot Beauty (Doug McNair) by a head in 1:55.1. Barefoot Beauty had posted the fractions of 27.4, 57.0 and 1:25.4.
Blush Hanover began the first-over trip just before the half mile marker and used a steady grind get into contention at the three-quarter pole. From there, it was a classic stretch battle with Blush Hanover and Morrill Jr. just squeaking by Barefoot Beauty to record the win. Just Add Vodka (Kevin Cummings) rallied late for third.
"She was very good," Morrill Jr. said of Blush Hanover. "She was nice and in control all the way. She fought hard right to the end."
It was the fourth win in seven career starts for Blush Hanover (Art Major-Brissonte Hanover), all coming in 2014. She is owned by Stake Your Claim Stable, Seth Coen and George Derocker with Linda Toscano the trainer. Blush Hanover's seasonal and lifetime bankroll is now at $70,442.
In the $12,800 Excelsior A division, Whimsies (Ray Fisher Jr.) went the mile in 1:58 and returned $24.80.
Mark McDonald made his first trip ever to Buffalo Raceway and found the winner's circle in his first attempt by driving Anty Entity to an $11.60 victory. They covered the mile in 1:57.4 in the the first division of the $6.500 Excelsior Series B classification. The second division saw Raye With An E post a $48.80 victory in 2:00.4 for David McNeight III.
In the $10,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace, You're Too Funny (Jim Morrill Jr.) scored the $7.20 win in 1:55.
By Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway