Gamesmanship toys with field in Open Trot at Buffalo
February 17, 2007,by Sam Pendolino
Hamburg, NY – Gamesmanship, an eight-year-old Yankee Glide gelding, went wire-to-wire in 2:01.4 to win the $10,000 Featured Trot for owners Marc L. Vogel & R. Scott Wagner on Friday night at Buffalo Raceway (Feb. 16). Capably driven by Ken Holliday, Gamesmanship made every pole a winning one beating six rivals for his second win of the 2007 season over a track rated good. Setting fractions of 30.1, 1:00.3 and 1:31.2 to the three-quarter mark, Gamesmanship and Holliday beat second place finishers Imagianthit and driver Keith Kash Jr. by 3 ¾ lengths. Crown Land (Jack Flanigen) came in the show spot.
Photo by Paul White, www.harnessracephotos.com
Gamesmanship was an easy winner in Buffalo Raceway’s Open Trot on Friday.
“The last two weeks, he just couldn’t handle the track,” said driver Ken Holliday. “Tonight he felt great and didn’t have any problems.”
The $5,000 share of the winning purse put Gamesmanship’s 2007 bankroll at $13,575 and $139,290 lifetime. Sherri Holliday, (Ken’s wife) who is having a fantastic year with 14 wins in 39 starts, is the trainer. Going off as the third choice in the betting, the winner paid $9.20 to win.
SA Lemon Chip Takes Open II Trot for New Owners
Recently claimed SA Lemon Chip won Friday’s fourth race, a $6,250 Open II Trot for new owners Denise & Russell Williams of Ransomville, NY. The six-year-old Pine Chip gelding driven by Kevin Cummings, scored a three-quarter-length victory over Striking Iliad and driver Jim McNeight in 2:04.1, a new seasons best, for his second win of the year.
“He still needs a couple of adjustments,” said winning driver Kevin Cummings. “But I like him so far.”
Leaving from postposition two in the field of seven, Sa Lemon Chip and Cummings fought hard to get the lead, which they did just past the quarter-pole. Once in front they took command of the race and left little doubt they were the best on this cold and windy night. R Hey Burner and driver Ken Holliday came in third.
The $3,125 share of the winning purse boosted SA Lemon Chip’s 2007 bankroll to $7,045 and $40,412 lifetime. Going off as the favorite in the race he paid $4.70 to win. John Cummings Sr. is the new trainer.
Four drivers recorded racing doubles. Besides Gamesmanship, Ken Holliday also took race number seven, (Mrs. Robinson, $2.80). Kevin Cummings other victory was in race number ten, (Rose Street Doll, $16.00). Vern Smith scored in the first with (Pinnacle Express, $4.20) and in the eighth with (Mr Trentonian, $8.70). Reinsman Keith Kash Jr. got closer to the 1,000 win plateau with his 985th win aboard (Kick Sand, $15.60) in the second, and then added (Cam’s Rawhide, $7.50) in the fifth.
Racing will resume on Saturday, February 17 with first post scheduled for 6:30 PM.