by Sam Pendolino, publicity director, Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — With Jim Morrill, Jr. in the sulky, Northwestern, a 6-year-old daughter of Western Hanover, romped to a handy 1:58.1 score in Wednesday’s (Feb. 21) tenth race at Buffalo Raceway, the $8,400 Open Pace for fillies and mares, which establishes a new season’s best.

Harnessracephotos.com – Paul White

Northwestern scores in 1:58.1 in the Buffalo feature.

Setting all the fractions in the race, :28.4, :57.2, and 1:27.4, Morrill and Northwestern beat second place finisher Catch The Dragon and reinsman Vern Smith by 1-1/4 lengths. Shaniaraider (J.D. Perrin) came in the show spot.

Owned by Howard Taylor of Penn Valley, Pa. and Abraham Basen of Las Vegas Nev., it was the third win of the season for Northwestern, and the $4,200 share of the winning purse put her lifetime earnings to $194,431. Paul Szalay, Jr. is the trainer.

Going off as the prohibitive favorite in the race, the winner paid $2.20 to win.

Racing will resume on Friday, February 23, 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. and Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Buffalo Raceway offers live harness racing on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 6:30 p.m. Simulcast action is also available each Wednesday thru Sunday, from America’s top racetracks.