by Sam Pendolino, publicity director, Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — It isn’t often that the longest shot on the board takes the featured race of the week, but that’s exactly what happened at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (Feb. 24).

Harnessracephotos.com – Paul White

Arturo’s Reactor (Kevin Cummings) won the $8,500 featured pace in 1:58.

Michael Gentner’s Arturo’s Reactor, a 5-year-old gelded son of Arturo, won the $8,500 featured pace in 1:58, going off at 10-1 odds and paying a hefty $23.00 to his lucky backers. Capably driven by reinsman Kevin Cummings, Arturo’s Reactor made every pole a winning one.

Leaving from the rail in the field of seven, Cummings and Arturo’s Reactor quickly took command of the race going to the quarter pole, which they reached in :29.2. The half was hit in :59 and the three-quarters in 1:28.3.

“We needed a couple of weeks to straighten him out,” said Cummings. “Getting the early lead helped.”

A neck behind in second was Red Bullet and driver Jim Morrill, Jr., who rallied from last place throughout the mile, while Northern Raucous (Ken Holliday) came in the show spot.

It was the second win of the season for Arturo’s Reactor and the $4,250 share of the winning purse boosted his 2007 bankroll to $8,250 and $67,679 lifetime. Carl Cummings is the trainer.

Seano paces to fastest mile of the meet

A jump up in class didn’t bother Seano and driver Jerry Nugent, Jr., who crushed a field of $15,000 claimers in the co-featured $7,200 eighth race in 1:57, which was the fastest mile of the night and the meet so far.

Owned by the Nasty Boys Stable of Buffalo, N.Y., the 6-year-old bay gelding of Artiscape won for the third time this season.

Leaving from post position three in the field of seven, Seano and Nugent got into a heated exchange for the lead with Cannae Sandra and driver Kevin Cummings. Both horses and drivers wanted the lead badly, but Seano and Nugent prevailed and hit the quarter-mile in a quick :28.2. With the pedal to the metal, they reached the half-mile in :56.2, and the three-quarters in 1:26.2.

They now had a six length lead over eventual third place finishers Cannae Sandra and driver Cummings. Finishing second, seven lengths behind, were Invader Hall and driver Jim Morrill, Jr., who were the favorites in the race.

“This is a really good horse who loves the front end,” said a jubilant Nugent. “He has a good future ahead of him.”

The $3,600 share of the winning purse put Seano’s season bankroll at $6,800 and $60,346 lifetime. He paid $6.50 to win as the second choice in the betting. Jerry Nugent, Jr. is also the trainer.

Racing will resume on Wednesday, February 28, 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.