Hamburg, NY — Livonjaxandqueens ($11.00) had the winning hand in Buffalo Raceway’s $14,000 Open Pace on Saturday afternoon (March 29), rallying past the pacesetting Villiam to score in 1:56.1 over a good track.
After turning in a 1:58.3 qualifier on March 19, Livonjaxandqueens, a winner seven times in 2024, showed he was ready for the top-level pacers in his seasonal debut.
Villiam, the lukewarm favorite after winning his last two starts, scrambled to the lead from his assigned post eight just before the opening panel. Bringing Livonjaxandqueens along in tow from the pocket, Villiam and driver Joseph Chindano Jr. posted fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:27.3.
It was a two-horse battle turning for home with Livonjaxandqueens and James McNeight Jr. pulling the pocket on Villiam and eventually collaring the leader and prevailing by a half length. Silverhill Blaze (John Cummings Jr.) took third-place honors.
Livonjaxandqueens, a 5-year-old son of American Ideal-It’s De Lovely owned by Howard Ouriel and trained by James Rothfuss, has produced $107,525 in earnings thus far in his career.
Another one fresh off the bench for the Ouriel-Rothfuss partnership was Andrews Ideal, who romped to a four-length victory in 1:57 at first asking, returning a healthy $33.20 to win.
In the $13,000 Open I-II Handicap Trot, Grinder (Chindano, $8.40) went gate-to-wire and easily topped Newsboy by two lengths in 1:58, sealing the deal with a :57.4 final half.
Off the gate, Grinder had little trouble in getting to the point, putting up fractions of :29.4 and 1:00.1. With Newsboy and Crazy Ritz tracking behind, in second and third, respectively, Grinder stayed strong on the front end and cruised home to a solid victory.
It was the second win in nine attempts on the season for Grinder, a 9-year-old Andover Hall-Wishful Me gelding conditioned by Candace Brandstatter-Hall for P T Stable. The triumph increased his 2025 bankroll to $23,640 and his lifetime earnings to $321,177.
Starting this week, Buffalo Raceway will add Fridays to the racing calendar to go along with the usual Wednesday and Saturday programs. Post time each day will be 2:30 p.m. This Wednesday’s (April 2) card will have 10 events, including the $12,500 Open I-II Pace for fillies and mares, which will go off as the seventh race.
For more information, including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.