by M. Kelly Young, executive assistant, the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State

Latham, NY — Trainer-driver Ray Schnittker went to Buffalo Raceway on Sunday with five horses to race in the New York Sire Stakes, which offered total purses of $294,944 to fields of 3-year-old trotting colts and fillies, and he left with three wins, one track record, and one filly prepared to go to the Hambletonian Oaks.

Schnittker, who grew up in nearby Pendelton, N.Y. and began his training and driving career at Buffalo Raceway, was in the sulky when his filly, Creditability, lowered the track mark to 1:59³, and dropped the previous record, set by Amazing Girl in 2001, by two-fifths seconds.

“She was a little tough in the turns,” Schnittker explained in the winner’s circle. “She’s really too big for this racetrack, but she is a really nice filly.”

Creditability, owned by Steve Jones, cut the mile and won by 10 lengths in race three, and paid $3.00 to win.

Buffalo Raceway/Debbie Palmer

Twin B Senorita and Ray Schnittker won a New York Sire Stakes division for 3-year-old trotting fillies in 2:01 on Sunday, in what could be her last stop before eliminations for the Hambletonian Oaks

Just two races later, a heavy rain fell, which caused a delay before the seventh race — and an immediate downgrade to a sloppy track. It was over this surface that Twin B Senorita and Schnittker scored a 2:01 victory in the 11th race. The filly, who was last year’s Sire Stakes Final winner, left the gate from post position six and was on top of the field before she raced into the first turn. The nine-length victory was her third of the year, and she paid $2.90 to win.

Before the race, Schnittker said this start would be her final test before deciding whether to send her to the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks, the top U.S. stakes for sophomore trotting fillies. With her dominating, nine-length victory, Twin B Senorita gave Schnittker no reason to doubt that she would go to the Oaks Eliminations, that will be raced on July 30 at the Meadowlands.

“I have to talk to the owners, but yes, I think she’ll be there,” Schnittker said.

Blue Chip Partners, James Burke, and John Hamilton lease the filly, and the she is the first horse both Burke and Hamilton have owned.

Schnittker’s other victory came with Hewitt Blue Chip ($3.20), in 2:00³, in the fifth race. He owns the gelding in partnership with Herb Burns and Steve Demeter.

Jeff Gregory, another driver who began his career at Buffalo Raceway, drove two winners on the card — both over the sloppy track.

Victory Speech, last year’s New York colt champion, won in 2:02. Because the colt broke stride in both his previous starts this year he surprised the bettors with his steady, pacesetting performance, and returned $8.90 to win. Michael Polansky owns the colt, who is trained by Dave Spagnola.

“He likes the front,” Gregory said. “The trainer put the trotting hopples on, and it seemed to do the trick.”

Later Gregory steered the filly College Credit ($2.80) under the wire first for owners Robert Guerrini, Nicola Oliva, and George Bullukian, all of Massachusetts. The filly has now won six of her seven starts this year, and boosted her career earnings to over $38,000.

Getthemoney scored the biggest upset of the day when defeating Schnittker’s heavy favorite, Connors Blue Chip, in the sixth race. Getthemoney and driver Rod LaFramboise waited patiently in the pocket, came out in mid-stretch, and blew past the pacesetter, Connors Blue Chip, with a :28 final quarter-mile and won by one length. Getthemoney delivered for his backers by paying $27.00 to win.

The victory even surprised owner-trainer Betsy Phillips, who bred the colt and raced his dam, Ampong.

“I can’t believe it,” she said. “He was just very good today.”

Also on the card, the colts Carie’s Credit ($2.80) and The Big Cat ($6.50) scored in 1:59⁴ and 2:02², respectively, and a Canadian shipper, Whitesand Samantha ($3.60), rounded out the list of winning fillies with a 2:00¹ victory.