In Friday’s $9,000 Open Handicap Trot, Hello Carlo ($10.20), a Carry The Message gelding out of the Supergill mare Last Turn, won in a season’s best 2:00.2 to register his second win of the year for owner Mario Caponi of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

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Capably driven by reinsman Russell Swartz, Hello Carlo leaving from Post 4, settled in fifth in the field of seven. First over by the half, Hello Carlo and Swartz made a strong backside brush to pass tiring leaders as they hit the three-quarter pole with the lead in 1:30.2. A :30 last quarter-mile put the winner 1-3/4 lengths ahead of second place finisher Carolina Raider and driver Troy Boring. A Work In Progress (Ken Holliday) came in third.

“Front end speed wasn’t holding up tonight,” said Swartz. “Being first over really wasn’t a bad place to be.”

Trained by Larry Clabaugh, the $4,500 share of the winning purse put Hello Carlo’s season bankroll at $13,470, and $94,620 lifetime.

In the $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace, Pembroke Primo, ($9.40) a six-year-old Ditch Em offspring, rallied from last place to win her third Open in a row in 1:59.2 for owners John Cummings, Sr. and Mark Jakubik.

Masterfully driven by regular driver Kevin Cummings, Pembroke Primo used a :29 last quarter-mile to edge second place finisher Parking Place (Russell Swartz) by one-half length. Sun Belle Perfect (Ron Beback, Jr.) came in the show spot.

The $4,500 share of the winning purse put Pembroke Primo’s season bankroll at $15,660, and $211,344 lifetime.

The $26,000 Niatross Final is Saturday’s headliner with Runrun Big Eagle (Russell Swartz) the 5-2 early morning favourite.

(Buffalo Raceway)