Hamburg, NY — Sportsmanship ($51.50) was just an afterthought heading down the stretch in Buffalo Raceway’s co-featured $9,000 trot on Friday afternoon (May 10). But the determined 12-year-old gelding showed some serious ‘gamesmanship’ late and stunned the field with a nose victory over Kyuquot in a seasonal best 1:57.

Things weren’t as crazy in the other main event for the sidewinders, but still surprising, as Captain Krupnik ($21.20) pulled the mild upset with a half-length decision over Poets N Pirates in a season’s best 1:58.1.

Sportsmanship (James McNeight Jr.) seemed out of contention after the three-quarter marker as a wild battle was brewing on the front end. With Kyuquot (Mike Baumeister) finally establishing the slimmest of leads turning for home, Fireball (David McNeight III), Mr Ohanzee A (Joseph Chindano Jr.) and Bet On Blake (Kevin Cummings) weren’t done and were involved in the stretch drive. Unfortunately for them, no one thought about Sportsmanship, who was about to embark on a :28.4 last quarter.

Midway down the lane, Sportsmanship got into view and steamrolled toward the wire. The only question was if he was going to have enough real estate to nudge past Kyuquot, and he did, by a scant nose. Bet On Blake took third.

Sportsmanship rallied boldly to a 24-1 upset on Friday at Buffalo Raceway. Barnstormer Images.

Owned by Herman Niedhammer and trained by Thomas Mays, Sportsmanship (Sportswriter-Lady D M) has won three times in 13 attempts this season. The win increased his 2024 earnings to $16,011 and $425,414 lifetime.

In the other feature, Bridge Works got control of the front and parked Magic MVP to the half in :57.4. Favorite Flo Lashomb, who was in tow behind Magic MVP on the outside approaching the half, jumped it off and was out of contention.

Meanwhile, Captain Krupnik sat in the garden spot and blasted past Bridge Works (Kyle Swift) heading up the backstretch the final time. Poets N Pirates followed along, leaving these two to duke it out. Captain Krupnik (Drew Monti) was able to hit the line first as Poets N Pirates (Kevin Cummings) drifted out and couldn’t get any closer than a half length.

Owned by Benjamin Ortiz and conditioned by Shawn McDonough, the 8-year-old gelding Captain Krupnik (Conway Hall-Salt Hill Brigid) notched his third victory in seven outings this season. His bankroll moved to $15,297 on the season and $286,711 in his career.

Racing returns to Buffalo on Saturday evening (May 11) at 6 p.m. with an 11-race card set. There’s a $1,361 carryover in the Pick-5, which begins in the second race.

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