by Sam Pendolino, publicity director, Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — Veteran reinsman Brian Allen was the hot driver on Friday, June 20, steering three fillies to victory as the 3-year-old trotters made their yearly trip down Interstate 90 in the New York Sire Stakes program, with each division worth approximately $35,000.

What made this accomplishment even more noteworthy was the fact that two of the three winners were with extreme longshots on the toteboard.

In race seven, Credit Victory ($51.50), a Credit Winner offspring, won in 2:00.4 for owner-trainer Harald Lunde. It was the first lifetime win for Credit Victory, who came from dead last at the half and swept by the entire field with a :28.4 last quarter to win by a half-length over Pose For Me (Chuck Connor, Jr.). Tierra (John Stark, Jr.) came in third.

“She’s a really nice, honest filly,” said Allen. “She’s got a great gait and she’s always going to get some money.”

The $17,730 share of the winning purse boosted Credit Victory’s 2008 bankroll to $25,799 and $33,676 lifetime.

Race ten saw Allen triumph with Sweet Night ($61.00), a daughter of Malabar Man, who won in 2:02.2 for owners Paolo Rosanelli and John Siena.

Leaving from post five, Allen left quickly from the gate with Sweet Night and received a perfect two-hole trip, as eventual second place finishers Happy Ticket and driver Jim Raymer cut all the fractions, :31.2, 1:00.4, and 1:31.4. Big Z Miranda (Ray Fisher, Jr.) came in the show spot.

“When the favorite (Lola Seelster) broke, it put us in a good spot,” said Allen. “She’s a really good filly who’s just learning how to race.”

Trained by Larry Remmen, Sweet Night, who did not race as a 2-year-old, now has $24,603 in the bank.

Allen’s third NYSS win came in race 11, where he guided Southwind Martini ($6.90) to a 2:03 victory for the Southwind Farms.

The daughter of one of New York’s top trotting stallions, Conway Hall, came from 5-1/2 lengths back at the half to score a head victory over second place finisher Perfect Score (Howard Okusko, Jr.). Nirvana Blue Chip (Jim Raymer) came in third.

“She has a little trouble in the turns, but she’s a really nice filly,” said Allen. “She’s only going to get better. With two wins in two Sire Stakes starts, her future looks good for the final.”

Trained by Jonas Czernyson, it was the fourth win of the year for Southwind Martini, and the winner’s share of $17,730 put her 2008 bankroll at $54,593 and $70,118 lifetime.

The other NYSS division winners were Parcc Side ($2.60) for driver Jim Morrill, Jr., Winbak Dream ($4.70), also for Morrill, and Fancy Wine ($57.50) for amateur driver Alan Schwartz.

Racing will resume on Saturday, June 21, with first post scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Five divisions of NYSS worth approximately $42,000 each are up for grabs for the colts and geldings.

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.