by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — The top three in the Buffalo Raceway driver’s standings showed the way on Friday night (April 24) as the trio combined for seven victories on the 12-race card.

Drew Monti, who sits in third place in the rankings, had a triple and moved his seasonal total to 71. Last season, he posted 86 victories the entire season at Buffalo Raceway.

Leading driver Kevin Cummings had a double and now has 121 wins in 2015. Shawn Gray, who sits in second place with 72 trips to the winner’s circle, also had a double.

It was bombs away in the ninth race as Shawn McDonough drove Girls Luv Diamonds to a $72.00 victory.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s card, sometimes it’s all about timing and luck. For Eim Racing and trainer Bradley Jackson, it was perfect timing and the luck of the draw.

They won ‘the shake’ from multiple claims put in on Dedalos in last week’s semi-finals of the Niatross Claiming Knockout ‘B’ Series for $7,000 and are now in line for a couple of big paydays if things work out right starting Saturday.

Dedalos, who drew the three post, is the 3-1 choice on the morning line in the Niatross $24,500 championship which highlights the program at Buffalo Raceway.

After winning the Niatross Knockout Claiming ‘A’ Series back on March 7, Dedalos automatically earned a spot in the $25,000 Invitational set for Saturday (May 9) along with Goddess’s Justin, It Was An Honor and Delightful Caitlin.

But with a spot already secured in the Invitational, Dedalos and his new owners would love nothing better than winning both ends. Riding a three-race win streak in the series, Dedalos posted the fastest time in the semi-finals last week with a 1:57.1. But don’t expect things to be easy.

Jettison starts from the seven post. He’s been claimed in three consecutive weeks in the series and ends up in the finale for co-owners Curtis Edholm and the Ultra Racing Stable and trainer Darren Taneyhill. Jettison, pegged at 4-1 in the morning line, has had two wins and a pair of second place finishes in his last four starts. Unfortunately, his losses have come to Dedalos.

Secluded Island is a dangerous 5-1 and scores out of the six spot. He cruised to a two length win in the other semi-final race last week in 1:58 and has four victories in his last five starts.

The field from the inside out includes Full Circle Spirit (Ron Beback Jr.), Nighthawk Hall (Kevin Cummings), Dedalos (Shawn Gray), K C Colt (Jim McNeight), Tymal Torch (David McNeight III), Secluded Island (Jack Flanigen), Jettison (John Cummings Jr.) and Feets Of Magic (Drew Monti).

The top four finishers, as in the ‘A’ series, will advance to the $25,000 Invitational on May 9.

The $10,000 consolation race of the Niatross Knockout Claiming Series will go as the sixth race while the $9,500 conditioned pace is set for the second. Post time for the solid 12-race card is 6:35 p.m.

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.