by Sam Pendolino, publicity director, Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — In the featured $9,000 tenth race trot on Friday (May 25), Gamesmanship won his third race in a row and his winning time of 1:58.4 established the fastest trotting mile of the season at Buffalo Raceway.

Harnessracephotos.com – Paul White

Gamesmanship edged Imagianthit by a head in 1:58.4.

Owned by Marc Vogel and R. Scott Wagner, it was Gamesmanship’s sixth win of the 2007 campaign, and the 8-year-old Yankee Glide gelding was capably driven by reinsman Ken Holliday.

Leaving from post five in the field of six, Gamesmanship and Holliday settled in fifth as Prime Interest (Jack Flanigen) set the early fractions in the race, :29, :58.3, and 1:28.4.

Just past the stands for the first time, Holliday pulled Gamesmanship first-over to the outside, with the favorite in the race, Imagianthit and driver Keith Kash, Jr., hot on his heels. These two trotted past the tiring leaders and put on a thrilling stretch drive that saw Gamesmanship edge Imagianthit by a head. Cade Callihan (Tom Agosti) came in the show spot.

“He doesn’t like coming first-over,” said Holliday. “He would much rather be on the lead, but tonight I didn’t have much of a choice.”

The $4,500 share of the winning purse put Gamesmanship’s 2007 bankroll at $38,055 and $163,770 lifetime. Sherri Holliday (Ken’s wife) is the trainer. Going off as the third choice in the betting, Gamesmanship paid $10.80 to win.

In the co-featured $7,500 Open II Trot, driver Kevin Cummings put the 6-year-old CR Aviator gelding Speed Pilot on the lead and then set all the fractions in the race, :28.3, :57.3, and 1:28.1, in what was a wire-to-wire victory.

Speed Pilot won by three-quarters of a length over second place finisher Hippique (Phil LaFramboise) in 1:59, which establishes a new season’s best. Mutual Funs (Ken Holliday) came in third.

“He was real sharp coming off of the bigger track at Tioga,” said Cummings. “He felt great and took the turns just perfect.”

Francis Rapone, and Thomas, Betty Lou and Christopher Buckley own the winner, who won for the second time this year. Louis Rapone, Jr. is the trainer. The $3,750 share of the winning purse boosted Speed Pilot’s 2007 earnings to $10,715 and $78,177 lifetime. The winner paid $7.20 going off as the second choice in the betting.

Racing will resume on Saturday, May 26, with first post scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

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.

Buffalo Raceway offers live harness racing on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, starting at 6:30 p.m. Simulcast action is also available each Wednesday thru Sunday, from America’s top racetracks.