Hamburg, NY — Treasured Tee ($6.78) was able to overcome the outside seven post and score a 1-1/4 length victory over Chapter Twelve in Buffalo Raceway’s featured $11,500 trot on Friday afternoon (April 10) in 1:59.0.
With Chapter Twelve and Vondell Kemp cruising to the top two spots in the early going, Treasured Tee (Drew Monti) managed to secure a spot behind the pace setters, settling into third place.
With fractions of :29.1 and 1:00.0 in the books over the fast track, Treasured Tee was first on the rim heading to the three-quarter marker and stuck a neck in front of Chapter Twelve (Kevin Cummings). Down the stretch, Treasured Tee continued to distance himself from the field and strolled off to the easy score. Chapter Twelve held on for second place honors while Vondell Kemp (Ray Fisher Jr.) was third.
Owned by Drew Monti and trained by Darrin Monti, it was the first victory in five appearances this season for the 11-year-old Treasured Tee (Yankee Glide-Platinum T). The win increased his 2026 earnings to $10,880 and to $454,777 lifetime.
It was only fitting that the opening round of the April Reins Claiming Series was contested in the rain. The seven divisions went for $12,500 apiece with a $7,500 claiming price. A total of ten horses changed barns during the initial round of action.
The longest shot amongst the seven winners in the opening round was actually the fastest as Mister Marvalous posted a surprising $23.62 victory in 1:55.2 for David McNeight III, one of three for him in the Series.
A trio of horses were claimed after scoring wins as Sharky Bear ($3.32, 1:55.4), Alexa’s Sunshine ($3.98, 1:58.1) and Governor JK ($5.35, 1:56.2) all found new homes.
Other winners included April Hill High ($7.80, 1:58.2), Out On Bail ($10.88, 1:57.0) and My Little Friend ($16.82, 1:58.1).
The April Reins Claiming Series will resume next Friday (April 17) with the claiming tags going up to $8,500.
McNeight III and Monti each collected four victories on the program with Brett MacDonald getting two. Samuel Smith collected four training victories and Rachelle Mungillo had a double.
Racing will resume on Saturday (April 11) afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a 12-race program scheduled. The $15,500 Open Trot and Pace highlight the card and will go off as the seven and ninth races respectively.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com