Hamburg, NY –  HP Sissy ($4.30) capped a great night for trainer Mike Ohol and driver Jim Morrill Jr. as she snagged a nose victory over Protect Blue Chip in Buffalo Raceway’s $13,000 Open Pace for the filly and mares on Wednesday night (March 4).

The narrow win by HP Sissy allowed Ohol and Morrill Jr. to combine for four victories on the 12-race program.

HP Sissy wins for Morrill Jr. and trainer Mike Ohol. Bill Burke photo. 

Going off as the favorite in a wide-open affair, HP Sissy scooted right to the lead and set the fractions of :28.0, :57.3 and 1:27.4.

Things got interesting in the lane as Protect Blue Chip (Billy Davis Jr.) and Blue Belle Bonnie (David McNeight III) all took dead aim at HP Sissy which produced the blanket finish.

The photo revealed that HP Sissy hung on to win by a nostril in 1:57.3 while Protect Blue Chip and Blue Belle Bonnie had to settle for the disappointing second and third place finishes respectively.

Owned by the Finocchario’s Dream Stable, it was the second win in three appearances for the 7-year-old mare HP Sissy (Up The Credit-Monica Blue Chip). The win took her seasonal earnings to $12,500 and $380,129 lifetime.

Julio’s Girl (McNeight III) used a slow and steady first over grind and eventually caught Hey Sweetie in the stretch to collect the $10.40 win in the $10,000 Class A-B Handicap for the distaff pacers.

With Hey Sweetie (Davis Jr.), putting up splits of :30.1, 1:00.1 and 1:29.4, Julio’s Girl started her march to the top before the half-mile station and finally reached the lead at the top of the lane to post the half length decision. Jag Out (Drew Monti) finished in third.

Julio’s Girl grinds her way to the winner circle for McNeight III. Bill Burke photo. 

Owned by William Emmons and conditioned by James Clouser Jr., it was the third victory in five attempts this year for the 7-year-old mare Julio’s Girl (Art Director-Prayer Answered). The triumph moved her bankroll to $10.940 this year and $156,958 in her career.

In the $10,000 Class A trot, Bred For Greatness ($11.80) continued his dominate start to the 2020 campaign by registering his fourth victory in five tries this season.

Bred For Greatness (Morrill Jr.), with a first over trip, took command from Noble Legend (Davis Jr.) and coasted to a solid 1-1/4 victory in 2:00.3 over the fast track. Mighty Nicky (Monti) took the show position.

Co-owned by trainer Ohol and Steven Gross, the 6-year-old gelded Bred For Greatness (Federal Flex-Wendy Woo) has produced $16,440 in earnings this year and $110,721 lifetime.

McNeight III had a double in the sulky while Clouser Jr. had a pair of training wins.

Racing will resume at 6 p.m. on Saturday evening with a 13-race program scheduled.

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