Hamburg, NY — A softer test and an inside post was the perfect recipe for Muskingum ($2.90) as the lone mare in the field showed the gentlemen how it is done by taking the $9,000 trot at Buffalo Raceway on Friday afternoon (June 21). She beat Spirit Of Success by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:57.4 over the fast track.

Muskingum found the winning recipe in the co-feature this afternoon at Buffalo Raceway.
Barnstormer Images photo.

The other $9,000 Class B trot saw Pennant Seelster skim the pylons and shock All About Thechase by two lengths in a seasonal best 1:59.3. He paid a whopping $43.60 for the inside winning journey.

In the tri-featured $9,000 pace, Better B Swift ($5.10) was really ‘swift’ when he needed to be and collared the pace setting RD Skippy in the shadow of the finish line, notching the neck victory in 1:59.0.

Muskingum, who previously raced in Open competition back in mid-May, has tumbled down the ladder the past three starts. Now arriving in the Class B level and drawing the pylons, Muskingum and driver Joseph Chindano Jr. took full advantage of the situation.

When the starting gate swung open, Muskingum was ready to go as she fired right to the top and collected fractions of :29.4, :59.4 and 1:28.3. With Spirit Of Success (Drew Monti) and Jumpinthejailhouse (John Cummings Jr.) chasing Muskingum turning for home, they had little response and had to settle for the minor awards.

Owned by Fox Racing Inc. and trained by Maggie Chindano, Muskingum (Triumphant Caviar-Abbey Craig) has now captured four victories in 15 tries on the season. The win pushed her 2024 earnings to $25,660 and $246,829 lifetime.

In the other main event for the sidewinders, Pennant Seelster (Kyle Swift) watched patiently in the pocket as SS Tys Aflyin (Chindano Jr.) set sail from the seven post.

Turning down the long home stretch, SS Tys Aflyin had plenty of contenders taking a shot but it was Pennant Seelster who motored on by from the ‘lightning lane’ to grab the upset victory. All About Thechase (James McNeight Jr.) rallied for second while SS Tys Aflin had to settle for third place.

Owned by Rose Campbell and trained by David Weston, it was the third trip to the winner’s circle in 16 starts for Pennant Seelster (Amanofmanymissions-Papi Levac). The victory jacked his seasonal winnings to $19,961 and to $187,527 in his career.

In the Class B Pace, there was a three-way tussle for early supremacy with RD Skippy (Kevin Cummings) managing to come away on top. With fractions of :29.0, 1:00.1 and 1:29.0 on the board, the final quarter mile was going to decide the race.

Better B Swift was ‘swiftest’ when needed in the Class B Pace today at Buffalo Raceway. Barnstormer Images photo. 

RD Skippy turned for home with the advantage, but Better B Swift (Monti) dipped into the passing lane and eventually wore down the pace setter. Silas Seelster finished in third but was disqualified for interference, thus bumping Silverhill Blaze (Jim Morrill Jr.) into the show position.

Owned by Keith Pinkowski and conditioned by Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr., it was the third win in 17 attempts on the campaign for the 7-year-old Better B Swift (Bettor’s Delight-Swift N Shout). His bankroll moved to $19,189 on the year and $181,163 in his career.

Racing will resume on Saturday (June 22) evening with a 14-race program set with a 6 p.m. post scheduled.

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