Hamburg, NY — Star Power Hanover ($3.52) showed that last week’s 5-3/4 length victory was no fluke as he stepped up in class and took the $11,500 trot at Buffalo Raceway on Friday afternoon (April 17). He beat Mr Cool Seaeyre N by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:58.3 over the fast track.
Starting from the inside post, Star Power Hanover (Drew Monti) watched as Mr Cool Seaeyre N took the early edge but nixed the pocket trip and quickly zoomed back to the lead.
With fractions of :29.1, :59.1 and 1:29.0, Star Power Hanover had company on the outside with a quarter mile to go. Trump The Warrior was in serious contention on the outside at the top of the home stretch but broke stride, giving Star Power Hanover more breathing room to the wire. Mr Cool Seaeyre N (David McNeight III) managed to hold on to the non-threatening place position with Captain Chesley (James McNeight Jr.) getting third.
Owned by Michael Flanagan and trained by Rachelle Mungillo, it was the third victory in seven starts on the season for Star Power Hanover (Wheeling N Dealin-Star Hanover). The win jumped his seasonal bankroll to $15,804 and to $213,544 in his career.
There was plenty of action in the second leg of the April Reins Claiming Series. With the purses at $12,500 and the claiming prices sitting at $8,500, 11 horses changed barns on the card.
Governor JK ($3.40. 1:57.1) was extremely popular as he won for the second straight time in the April Reins Series. He had 13 claims placed on him with Super Mile LLC winning the shake as Angelo Nappo will handle the training duties.
Other winners who were claimed and victorious were Caviart Val ($8.44, 1:57.1) and Alexa’s Sunshine ($16.12, 1:56.2).
The fastest of the six April Reins Series races went to Target Aquired ($8.60) who covered the mile in 1:55.4. Others collecting wins but were not claimed either were Sportsmanship ($20.52, 1:56.0) and Dogfight ($7.48, 1:57.0).
Next Friday’s card (April 24) will have the third leg of the competition with claiming prices at $10,000.
Monti finished the program with three driving scores while Kyle Cummings notched a pair. Trainer Christopher Petrelli had three wins including two in the April Reins Claiming Series.
Racing will resume on Saturday (April 18) afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a 13-race card scheduled.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com