by Brian Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
Hamburg, NY — Sportsmuffler ($6.60) silenced her competition in Buffalo Raceway’s featured $10,400 Open Pace for the mares on Wednesday night (April 4) by romping to a convincing six-length decision over Hey Kobe in 1:57.2 over the fast track.
Watching the action from third for more than a half-mile, driver Drew Monti and Sportsmuffler figured that was enough. The tandem tipped first over with a quarter-mile to pace and easily brushed to the lead.
From there, it wasn’t a matter of who was going to win, it was a question by how much. Sportsmuffler left little doubt as a :27.4 final split slammed the door on any possibilities the five other entrants had of posting the victory.
Hey Kobe (David McNeight III) finished in second with Krystal C (Jim Morrill Jr.) taking third.
It was the first victory in three tries in 2018 for the 6-year-old mare Sportsmuffler (Sportsmaster-Whatifthere’smore). Owned by Rose Campbell and trained by Mike Carrubba, the win moved her seasonal earnings to $6,509 and $219,369 lifetime.
Monti led the driver’s parade to the winner’s circle as he steered home four while Ray Fisher Jr., Billy Davis Jr. and Morrill Jr. all doubled. Darrin Monti had a pair of training victories.
Racing will resume on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with a 13-race program on tap. There’s a $902 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the second race.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, simulcast schedule, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.