B Winner K survives late break in Meadows series

Washington, PA — B Winner K opened a daylight lead, then survived a late break and an inquiry as he captured a division of the Michaelrowyourboat Trot at The Meadows. Tommaso took Monday’s other $15,000, second leg split in the series for 3-year-old colts and geldings.

B Winner K had shown talent as well as gaiting problems since shedding the hopples he wore at 2. He appeared to be home free in Monday’s leg when he motored to the lead for Eric Ledford and drew off in the stretch. Yards from the finish line, however, he broke stride, prompting an inquiry that did not disturb the order of finish, which included Most Wanted Lindy 4-1/4 lengths back in second and TSM Photo Bugger third.

B Winner K scored in 1:57.4, equaling his career best. Jim Arledge, Jr. trains and Bob Key owns and bred the son of SJ’s Caviar-Brenda B Winnin.

Tommaso also endured gaiting problems, breaking stride before the start. Brian Zendt was able to gather the gelded son of Tom Ridge-Bellissimo, who looped the field on the outside when the leader, Mr Moonlight, tired in the lane.

Tommaso triumphed in 1:59.3, a career best, 1-3/4 lengths better than North Broadway. Mr Moonlight and Park Way dead-heated for show. Boots Dunn trains Tommaso for Dunn Stable.

Red Star Hottie, a 7-1 newcomer from Fraser Downs, took the $25,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace with a powerful front-end effort for Dave Palone in 1:52.2, a lifetime mark. Spring Break was a head back in second — her fourth consecutive place finish — while Cams Van Go finished a ground-saving third.

Ron Burke trains Red Star Hottie, a 5-year-old daughter of As Promised-Whitehorse Fever, for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

— Evan Pattak

WEG invaders take Western Fair features

London, ON — Two Woodbine regulars made successful appearances in the Preferred events at Western Fair Raceway on Monday.

The C$13,500 trot saw Twin B Rawley wear down last week’s winner Sand Wyndham to win by two lengths in 1:58.3. Sand Wyndham held for second while Southwind Califon took third.

Trainer Gord McKnight was at the lines behind the winner, a 6-year-old horse by Malabar Maple owned by Rusty and Deanna Spitzig. It was the first start at the London, Ontario oval for Twin B Rawley who has C$35,000 earned from 11 starts this year for C$222,000 lifetime.

In the Preferred Pace, Greystone Cash was also making his first start at Western Fair this year and he had the same result, winning by a head over pacesetter Acceptable Risk in 1:55.2. Park Shark was third.

Anthony Haughan was up behind the winner for owner Pat Ryan and trainer Bruce Goit. A 4-year-old son of Million Dollar Cam, Greystone Cash finished an impressive second in the recent C$80,000 Cam Fella Final at Woodbine.

— Western Fair Media Relations

Rip Rockin Lady scores at Monticello

Monticello, NY — There’s no doubt that some of the best drivers in the Midwest are coming east to compete at racetracks with slots and bigger purses. Add Tyler Buter to that list.

Monday the talented youngster reined Rip Rockin Lady to a gate-to-wire, 1:58 victory in the daily pacing feature and turned back Lucky Angel, who was driven by yet another Midwesterner, Brandon Simpson.

Rip Rockin Lady, a 5-year-old Keystone Raider mare, owned in Michigan by William and Carol Fuchs, James Marion and Lynette Buter, scored her third victory of the season.

For Buter it was his only drive on the card, and his second Mighty M triumph in five starts, although he’s been competing successfully at Yonkers Raceway, the Meadowlands and Pocono Downs.

The 25-year-old teamster, who has already reined 1,469 winners in his career, scored his 28th win of the season behind Rip Rockin Lady. Last year Buter had 350 winning drives and 309 the previous year. His career high of 444 driving victories came in 2007.

Certainly well known in Michigan and the Midwest, Buter’s talents are just beginning to get noticed by conditioners here on the East Coast. No doubt he’ll be heard from much more as the season progresses.

On another note, “Zeke” Parker added two more victories a to his career total as he advances toward the 10,000 win plateau. He scored a 2:00.1 triumph behind Horseman’s Financial Agency and Premier Racing Stables’ Sweet Precious One and then won with Vinnie Grippa’s An Electric Laugh in a time of 2:01.3.

Now with 9,972 driving victories, Parker needs just 28 more to join only eight others who have topped the 10,000 career win plateau.

— John Manzi