by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — It’s been close but no cigar for Delightful Syd in the $10,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Buffalo Raceway the past two weeks. She’s been knocking on the door with a pair of narrow losses by less than two combined lengths.

Steve Roth photo

Delightful Syd captured Buffalo Raceway’s Fillies and Mares Open Pace.

But this week, Delightful Syd ($3.70) got the services of driver Jim Morrill, Jr. and it resulted in a hard-fought head victory over a game Heavenly Place in a seasonal best time of 1:57 on Wednesday night (April 16).

Morrill, making his 2014 debut at Buffalo Raceway, usually makes the Hamburg half-mile oval his personal playground and Wednesday night was no different as he registered five victories. Last season, he hit at a nearly 33 percent clip (58 wins in 183 starts) at Buffalo Raceway.

In the $10,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace feature, he gave Delightful Syd the perfect trip.

With Fiftyonefifty (Kevin Cummings) setting fractions of :29.1, :59 and 1:28.3, Morrill started his challenge with Delightful Syd before the half-mile pole, coming out first over. Just by the three-quarter marker, the 7-year-old mare took over the top and never gave it up. Heavenly Place (Drew Monti) put up a valiant fight, coming up just a head short at the wire to finish second while Ugly Betty (Jack Flanigen) placed third.

The victory was the second in seven starts this season for Delightful Syd, who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama. The win pushed her earnings to $13,760 in 2014 and $177,189 lifetime.

In addition to Morrill’s five wins, Kevin Cummings had a driving triple on the night.

Racing continues on Friday night at Buffalo Raceway with a 13-race program set for 6:40 p.m. For more information, including upcoming promotions, race replays, results and news, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.