by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — Helena’s Hope ($11.00) and Kisses N Kicks ($3.70) were the queens in the finals of the inaugural Claiming Championship Series at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (May 4) as each found the winner’s circle in their respective divisions.

Steve Roth photos

Helena’s Hope took her division of the Claiming Series in 1:57.3.

Helena’s Hope took the $10,000 filly and mare pacing category for claimers $4,000-$7,000 in 1:57.3 while Kisses N Kicks captured the $8,000-$12,500 bracket in 1:57.3 for the distaff pacers in the race worth $14,800. Both winners posted seasonal marks in their victories.

The Claiming Series is based on gait, gender and claiming prices with horses earning points since the season began back in January. The top eight point earners in each division then battle it out for a purse that is approximately doubled than what they normally race for. The final five divisions will be held on Saturday night and a new Claiming Championship Series will begin next week and end in July.

In the first event, Helena’s Hope sat the pocket behind the heavily-favored Iwannabejustlikeu who cut the fractions of 28.2, 58.2 and 1:28.0. But in the stretch, driver Todd Cummings found plenty of room in the passing lane with Helena’s Hope to take the lead. They had to hold back the late charge of Delightful Caitlin (Ron Beback Jr.) who finished in second 3/4 lengths back. Iwannabejustlikeu (Ray Fisher Jr.) took the show spot.

Owned by Maurice Bazinet and trained by JD Perrin, it was the fifth victory in 13 starts for Helena’s Hope (Dream Away-Windy Witch). The 7-year-old mare has made $17,150 in 2016 and $148,951 lifetime.

Kisses N Kicks (#1A) wired the field in her Claiming Series in an identical 1:57.3.

Kisses N Kicks went out and put up fractions of 29.0, 59.3 and 1:29.2. She looked like she was in a heap of trouble coming around the final turn as Heavenly Place and Voltina (Kevin Cummings) were converging in. But driver Jim Morrill Jr. kept Kisses N Kicks on task and they managed to hold on for the victory.

Kisses N Kicks (Life Sign-Kissing Rain) is owned by Courtney McNeight and trained by David McNeight Jr. The win was the fourth of the year for the 8-year-old mare, moving her bankroll to $22,200 this season and $217,801 in her career.

Kevin Cummings and Todd Cummings each doubled in the bike while trainer Allan McCarty had two victories.

Racing will continue on Friday night with an 11-race card set for 5 p.m.