by Sam Pendolino, Publicity Director/Public Relations, Buffalo Raceway

Hometown favorite and track record holder El Paso Hanover won Saturday’s $9,000 Open Pace giving Jim Morrill win number six on a night where he won seven out of the thirteen races on the card.

In what was unquestionably the best race of the meet so far, “El Paso” nosed out last weeks Open winner Dr Stewart and Ken Holliday, and Sid The Squid and Kevin Cummings. It was a photo finish that saw all three horses just noses apart.

The race unfolded where “El Paso” leaving from post three, battled with Kelly Mota N to the quarter-pole in 28.4. “El Paso” now in front, got a bit of a breather going to the half-mile station in 58.4. Dr Stewart is now sitting fifth and Sid The Squid is lying in the fourth position. The three horses hooked up around the far turn heading for home and put on a stretch drive that will be remembered for quit some time.

David Krol of Alden, New York owns the eight-year-old Western Hanover gelding. Tim Dunlap trains him. Going off as the prohibitive favorite, “El Paso” went wire to wire in 1:57.4 and paid $3.00 to win over a track rated “good”.

On this frigid fifteen-degree night, where the wind chill was below zero, Morrill commented, “I think he should have won easier, but he was having trouble taking in the air.” It was the first win of the season for “El Paso” and boosted his lifetime earnings to $126,694.

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Jim Morrill wins seven out of thirteen races.

Besides winning the feature, Jim Morrill had six other wins on the card. In race number three, Jim guided Falconbridge N to victory in 1:56.4 to register the fastest time of the meet. It was the third win of the season for this Falcon Seelster ten-year-old gelding.

John R. Curran of Red Hook, New York is the owner and Michael Rashkin trains him. He paid $3.00 to win. Going Postal with Kevin Cummings in the sulky finished second while Angeloftheknight N came in third.

Jim Morrill other winners were: MB Babylone, a $5.20 winner in the fifth, Meigs Noble Sammy $5.00 in the sixth, Yorkem N, $2.80 in the seventh, Batgam, $5.30 in the tenth, and Another First, $14.00 in the twelfth.

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Chief Operating Officer Jim Mango encouraged so far.

After four nights of racing, chief operating officer Jim Mango has seen an increase in handle vs. this same time last year. The quality of racing has improved immensely, as last nights best time of 1:56.4 in extreme weather conditions would indicate. He’s also very pleased with the feedback from owners and patrons about their dinning experience in the clubhouse.

Racing will resume on Friday, February 24 with first post scheduled for 6:35 PM (EST). Don’t forget that Wednesdays will be added to the schedule staring on March 1^st.