by Sam Pendolino, publicity director, Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — It was the 3-year-old filly trotters’ turn at the enriched New York Sires Stakes, with five races totaling $130,675 at Buffalo Raceway on Friday night (June 15) on a beautiful late spring night with a fast track.

Harnessracephotos.com – Paul White

Oh Oh Its Magic cruised to her fifth straight win in 2007.

Oh Oh Its Magic, capably driven by Jim Morrill, Jr., kept her perfect season intact by trotting the fastest mile of the night, 2:00.1, for owner Carolyn Atherton. It was the fifth win this year for the Credit Winner offspring. Her season’s earnings now stand at $155,463.

“This is a really good gaited filly,” said Morrill. “With all the breaking in the first turn, she acted real professional.”

Another Credit Winner offspring, Cocktail Hour, took race four, covering the mile in 2:01.3 with reinsman Ivan Davies in the bike. It was her second win in a row in Sires Stakes action, having previously won on June 6 at Saratoga. Owned by Douglas Hutchins, Cocktail Hour’s season’s bankroll now stands at $43,318.

“She’s just plain good right now,” said Davies. “You always have concerns about the first turn here at Buffalo, but she didn’t have any problems.”

Driver Chris Ryder, making his very first visit to Buffalo Raceway, left in good spirits as he guided Vanity Plates to her first win in 2007. The Conway Hall filly trotted home in 2:01.3 in race number seven for owners Ryder, Margaret Dey, Mathias Meinzinger, and the Crescent T Stables.

“She’s a really nice filly,” said Ryder. “This is my first time here at Buffalo, and if I keep winning big races like this, I’ll definitely come back.”

Race nine saw driver Charles Connor, Jr. steer the 3-year-old Credit Winner filly Angie Blue Chip to her fourth win of the year and first in Sires Stakes action in 2:01.1 for owners Fred Monteleone Stable and Salvatore Promuto. It was a come-from-behind victory that saw the winner edge second place finishers Rosy Prospect and driver Jim Morrill, Jr. by a nose.

“She’s really handy and she’s trotting up a storm right now,” said Connor.

In the final Sires Stakes race, hometown driver Ray Schnittker guided Chippewa Street to a one length victory over Mickalina Quinn and reinsman Keith Kash, Jr. in 2:00.2. It was the second win of the year for the Credit Winner offspring who was named for the local nightclub street in downtown Buffalo.

“I really got a great trip,” said Schnittker. “This filly is much better coming from behind and she’s really good on a half-mile track.”

Racing will resume on Saturday, June 16, with first post scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Fans may enjoy fine food and drinks while playing their favorite horses: call the clubhouse reservation line at (716) 646-6109, ext. 60149 to reserve a table. An operator will be available on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Buffalo Raceway offers live harness racing on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. (new starting time), and on Friday and Saturday, starting at 6:30 p.m. Simulcast action is also available each Wednesday thru Sunday, from America’s top racetracks.