by Brian Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
Hamburg, NY — It was ‘girl power’ as Lenny Mac beat the boys in the $9,500 Open Trot while Itsonlyrocknroll A showed who the ‘man’ was in the $9,500 Open Pace to highlight Buffalo Raceway’s card on Saturday (Jan. 20).
Also in the spotlight was driver Shawn Gray. After posting a four-bagger on Wednesday night, he remained on fire with a five-win evening. Trainer James Clouser impressed as well on the 13-race program as he sent four to the winner’s circle.
Steve Roth photo
Lenny Mac beats the boys in Buffalo Raceway’s Open Trot.
In the opener over the good track, Lenny Mac (Gray) followed the tempo-setting Empire Earl N through the opening half mile of action in 1:01.1. Lenny Mac, the lone mare in the race, had enough of that position and slipped to the outside to slowly cut into the lead.
The always business-like Lenny Mac ($6.10) kept her head down and chugged her way past the faltering Empire Earl N in the stretch. At the wire, she was a head in front, holding off a late charge by Osprey Vision (Ray Fisher Jr.) in 2:00.3. Empire Earl N (Larry Stalbaum) finished in third.
Owned by William Emmons and trained by Clouser Jr., Lenny Mac (Kadabra-Lend A Hand) is a 7-year-old mare that has earned $242,240 in her career.
The co-featured Open Pace saw Itsonlyrocknroll A wait patiently for the passing lane then cruise on by Heaven Rocks in 1:56.0. Gray sent Heaven Rocks right to the front off the gate and put up splits of 29.0, 58.4 and 1:27.3. But the front end journey went to waste.
With a final panel to pace, Itsonlyrocknroll A (Stalbaum) sat in the garden spot and had plenty left in the tank to overtake Heaven Rocks (Gray) by a length. P L Jackson (Mike Micallef) took the show spot.
Itsonlyrocknroll A (Million Dollar Cam-Boldandbeautiful) is a 7-year-old gelding who is owned by Stalbaum and trained by Kimberly Asher. It was the second victory in as many starts in 2018 for Itsonlyrocknroll A, now a winner of $7,700 this season and $258,705 lifetime.
Stalbaum and Drew Monti each had two victories in the bike while Asher had a training double.
Racing will resume on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. with an 11-race program scheduled.
For more information including the latest news, race replays, results, entries and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.