Noahs Mill saved ground and used a pocket trip to register a neck victory over Iluvtomakemoney in Buffalo Raceway's featured $12,300 Class AA-Open Handicapped Pace on Saturday evening (July 3).

Starting from the pylon post and fresh off a strong 3 3/4-length win last week, Noahs Mill followed behind pacesetter Iluvtomakemoney through panels of :28.3, :57.3 and 1:25.2 over the fast track. Turning for home Iluvtomakemoney, who has now finished second in three consecutive starts in Open company, looked strong on the lead but couldn't hang on as Noahs Mill dove into the open stretch and rallied for the score in 1:54.2. Southwind Onyx took the show position.

Conditioned by Jennifer Giuliani and owned by Terence Miller, it was the third victory in 18 outings for the 6-year-old Noahs Mill (Camluck-Tarport Baccarat). The win moved his winnings on the season to $24,822 and $128,423 in his career. Kevin Cummings drove the $7.80 to win.

After stringing together four victories in a row earlier this season, R J P was stuck in a mild slump with two straight setbacks. He broke out of those doldrums in the $10,500 Class A-AA Handicapped Pace with a hard-fought three-quarter length decision over a tough luck Thor De Vie in a seasonal best of 1:54.4.

Setting out to take command early in the race, R J P ($19.80) stepped off fractions of :28.1, :57 and 1:25.4. Things got dicey in the lane as pacers were coming from all angles, but driver Denny Bucceri kept R J P on task and held off a charging Thor De Vie and Dojea Solo who placed second and third respectively.

Co-owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Jack Piatt and Purnel & Libby, R J P (Somebeachsomewhere-Vysoke Tatry) is trained by Jim Clouser Jr. The victory improved his 2021 bankroll to $33,466 and $353,705 in his career.

London Seelster fired off to the lead and never looked back in posting the victory in the $10,500 Class A pace in a seasonal best time of 1:54.4.

Scoring from post 3, London Seelster had little resistance in clearing to the lead and put up splits of :29.1, :58 and 1:26.3 along the way. There were no serious challengers down the stretch as London Seelster crossed the finish line a comfortable two lengths in front. Mr Ham Sandwich was able to nudge out Hold The Gold for second place.

Co-owned by McNeight III and James Costa, the 7-year-old gelded London Seelster (Camluck-Legacy) is trained by Cassandra Johnson. The win moved his seasonal earnings to $19,327 and $205,249 lifetime. Dave McNeight III drove the $5.40 to win.

McNeight III had a driving triple and Kevin Cummings doubled.

Racing will continue on Wednesday evening (July 7) with a 12-race card set for 5 p.m. (EDT). The New York Sire Stakes will make its final final appearance of the 2021 campaign. The 2-year-old filly pacers will take the center stage with a pair of $50,000 events and two $15,000 Excelsior A races. There will be a $6,300 Excelsior B contest that will be a non-betting affair slated to go off at 4:30 p.m. (EDT).

(Buffalo Raceway)