by Sam Pendolino, publicity director, Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — Martin Scharf’s Muhammad Ali N won for the second time in two weeks, beating six rivals to take the $9,200 Open Pace at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (Jan. 27).

Harnessracephotos.com – Paul White

Muhammad Ali N was a winner in the Open Pace on Saturday.

Capably driven by Jim Morrill, Jr., the 9-year-old OK Bye gelding unleashed a powerful stretch drive to overtake eventual third place finisher Primus Sammy and driver Ken Holliday. The latter set the early fractions of :29.3, :59, and 1:29.3 to the three-quarter mark. Longshot Northern Raucous and reinsman Keith Kash, Jr. finished second, 1-3/4 lengths behind the winner.

“Taking the shortest route home worked out great tonight,” said Morrill. “Trainer Paul Szalay has done a great job with this guy.”

What driver Morrill was referring to was the decision he had to make going down the backstretch the second time, whether to go three wide to pass tiring horses, or to stay on the rail and hope not to get boxed in. He chose to stay on the rail and it was the right decision.

The $4,600 share of the winning purse boosted Muhammad Ali N’s 2007 bankroll to $10,225 and $286,624 lifetime. The winning time was 2:00.1 over a track rated good. Going off as the prohibitive favorite in the race he paid $3.20 to win.

Niarun makes it two in a row in $7,200 Open II Pace

A jump up in class didn’t faze Niarun and driver Vern Smith, who crushed the competition by scoring an impressive 8-1/2 length victory in the co-featured third race in 2:00.3.

Owned by Michael Torcello and Robert Hornberger, Jr., the 10-year-old offspring of former Buffalo Raceway record holder Dorunrun Bluegrass won for the second time this season in as many starts.

Leaving from post position three in the field of eight, Niarun quickly gained control of the race, reaching the opening quarter in :29.1. Threetimer (Jim Morrill, Jr.), the favorite in the race, was parked to the outside of the winner as he reached the half-mile station in 1:00.2. With the challenge on, Niarun and driver Smith kicked it in another gear and reached the three-quarter mark in 1:31.3 and now had a five length lead on the way to the easy victory. Finishing second was Red Bullet and reinsman Jim McNeight, while Mainline Hall and driver Kevin Cummings came in the show spot.

The $3,600 share of the winning purse put Niarun’s 2007 bankroll to $6,600 and $424,883 lifetime. He paid a nice $10.40 to win, going off as the third choice in the betting.

Racing will resume on Friday, February 2, 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 Fridays and Saturdays in January and February, starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday nights will be added to the schedule starting February 14. Simulcast action is also available each Wednesday thru Sunday, from America’s top racetracks.