by Sam Pendolino, Publicity Director/Public Relations, Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — In a featured $8,000 Open pace on Saturday night at Buffalo Raceway, driver Jim McNeight made it to the winner’s circle for the fourth time when he steered Harness The Power’s, Invader Hall to victory, the eleven-year-olds third win of 2006.

“It was all the horse tonight,” said McNeight. “It wasn’t the bike, it wasn’t the drive, he’s (Invader Hall) as game as they come.”

The race unfolded with the betting favorite, Yorkem N and driver Jim Morrill Jr. making an unexpected break just as they took the lead past the quarter-mile station. This put eventual second place finisher Liebeck and driver Kevin Cummings who left from the rail on the lead controlling the race. McNeight and Invader Hall pulled to the outside heading to the half-mile mark, where they engaged the frontrunner Liebeck. It was almost a match race from that moment on, where Invader Hall would prevail by a nose in 1:57.4.

The $4,000 paid out to the winner, boosted Invader Hall’s 2006 bankroll to $15,980 and his lifetime earnings now stand at $748,539. He paid $7.10 to win. Finishing third was National Artchive and driver Todd Frocione.

Western Prize takes second leg of the March Madness series for Colts & Geldings

Dave Krol’s Western Prize and reinsman Jim McNeight turned the tables on last week’s winner Meigs Noble Sammy and driver Jim Morrill Jr., who unfortunately made a break in stride heading into the first turn. Western Prize, leaving from postposition three stayed in that position behind frontrunners Long Live America and Caribbean Spur.

McNeight pulled the three-year-old son of Western Ideal to the outside heading to the half-mile station. A strong 29.1 last quarter enabled “Prize” to beat Long Live America who finished second with John Cummings Jr. aboard.

The winner paid $11.40 to win and his time of 1:58.1 is a new lifetime mark over a track rated “fast”.

“Everything went good this week,” commented McNeight. “Last week we got into some traffic trouble. He finished real strong and hopefully he (Western Prize) draws well for the final.”

Finishing third was Mizuno and driver Tom Agosti. Meigs Noble Sammy, who was trying for his fifth win in a row, recovered well enough to finish fourth.

It’s McNeight again in the $7,200 fifth race!

Jim McNeight, who won all three featured race’s Saturday night, guided Harness The Power’s Stylish Lavros N to his first victory in 2006. The six-year-old In The Pocket horse came flying down the stretch to beat five rivals in 1:58.2.

“I caught a real nice second over trip,” said McNeight. “He (Stylish Lavros N) didn’t get to show his stuff last week because we had some bad cover.”

The $17.00 win mutual was the best win price of the night, and coupled with second place finisher, favorite Jimmy Crack Cohen and driver Jim Morrill Jr., the exacta paid $39.20. Dr Stewart and Ken Holliday finished third.

Racing will resume on Wednesday March 22, with first post scheduled for 6:35 PM (EST). It’s your last chance to qualify for the Meadowlands Handicapping Contest. Top two finishers make it to the finals to be held on Saturday, April 1st .