Hamburg, NY — Chuck ($8.50) used some deep stretch fireworks to take the $16,000 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway on Friday afternoon (July 4) with a three-quarter length victory over the favored Big Baller Beane in 1:56.4 on the fast track.
With the field chopped down to five due to the scratch of Newsboy, Big Baller Beane got early control of the lead. With Uncle Archie making a break around the first turn, four trotters remained in contention.
Big Baller Beane showed the way through fractions of :28.4, :58.3 and 1:28.0. Chuck (Ray Fisher Jr.) waited patiently in fourth as Crazy Ritz sat in the pocket. Wolinak went first over just past the three -quarter marker and brought Chuck in tow.
Turning for home, Chuck tipped three wide in the stretch drive and was able to roll on by Big Baller Beane (Kevin Cummings) while Crazy Ritz (James McNeight Jr.) was third.
Owned by Robert Slowey Jr. and trained by Ryan Swift, it was Chuck’s fourth victory in his last five starts and seventh of the season in 15 attempts. The 4-year-old gelded Chuck (Mel’s Hall-Abby Master) has now earned $49,220 on the season and $58,220 in his career.
In the $14,500 pace for the fillies and mares, Rightfully Mine ($17.80) skimmed the pylons the entire mile and managed to put a head in front of Mary Kat in a seasonal best of 1:55.2. The favored Firstofanera (Brett MacDonald) was third.
Mary Kat (David McNeight III) stomped out the splits of :28.2, :57.1 and 1:26.3. The action picked up around the final turn as Firstofanera and Mary Kat were nose to nose. Meanwhile, Rightfully Mine (Drew Monti) stayed steady along the pylons and had just enough zip late to edge out a heartbroken Mary Kat.
Owned by Monique Cohen and trained by Christopher Petrelli, it was the second win in 14 starts on the season for Rightfully Mine (American Ideal-Leah). The 7-year-old mare has produced $36,507 on the seasonal and $312,820 lifetime.
Monti completed the program with four victories with Jim Morrill Jr. getting two wins. Tom Mays and Petrelli each had two training scores.
Racing will resume on Saturday (July 5) at 2:30 p.m. with 12 races on tap.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com