Hamburg, NY — Mugshots Bro wasted little time in getting the lead and never looked back after that, convincingly taking Buffalo Raceway’s $11,500 Class A-Open Handicap Trot on Friday evening (July 16) in a seasonal best of 1:56.2.

Mugshots Bro made every pole a winning one in the final Open Trot of the meet at Buffalo Raceway. Bill Burke photo.

Usually a dead closer, trainer-driver Shawn McDonough decided to fire Mugshots Bro ($10.80) off the starting gate from the outside post seven, and that maneuver proved to be the right call.

After setting fractions of :29.2, :59.4 and 1:28.3 over the fast track, Mugshots Bro put up a :27.4 last quarter, which more than sealed the deal. He romped to an easy two-length victory over CR Blazin Beauty while Allie was third.

Mugshots Bro, a 9-year-old Jailhouse Jesse-Photo Emmy gelding, earned his fourth win in nine starts on the season for owners Herman Niedhammer and Herman Niedhammer Jr. The victory upped his seasonal earnings to $27,991 and $245,963 lifetime.

In the sub-featured $8,600 Class A-B Handicap Trot, Noble Legend (Jim Morrill Jr.) went off as the 1-9 choice and had to work hard until the very last step to beat Art Of Duty by a head in 1:57.3.

Setting the tempo with splits of :29, :58.3 and 1:27.2, Noble Legend ($2.30) appeared to have things under control heading down the lane, but started to get a bit leg weary. Art Of Duty (McDonough) in the meantime still had plenty of trot from the garden spot, but just couldn’t squeak past Noble Legend at the finish. Simonthediamond (Dan Yetman) finished in third.

Maria Rice trains Noble Legend for Vogel & Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock. The 9-year-old Kadabra-Lovin It gelding has four victories in 20 attempts on the year, and his bankroll moved up to $24,690 on the campaign and $344,074 lifetime.

Morrill completed the night with a driving triple while Kyle Cummings collected a double. Judith Blaun had a pair of training victories.

The 2021 season will come to a close on Saturday night (July 17) at Buffalo Raceway as an eight-race card is scheduled for 6 p.m. Various year-end awards will be announced during the evening and free programs will be handed out to all those in attendance.

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