In the $9,000 Open Handicap Trot, Manfromnantucket, a five-year old gelding by Giant Hit out of the American Winner mare Yankee Blondie, won for the first time this year in 2:01.2 at Buffalo Raceway on Friday night (May 28)

Capably driven by reinsman Ron Beback, Jr., Manfromnantucket ($4.80), settled in fourth, in the field of eight, as Canaco Orville (Jim McNeight) hit the quarter in 29.2. Splendid Les (Kevin Cummings) came first-over and hit the half with the lead in 1:00, with Manfromnantucket right on his back getting a nice cover trip.

Beback swung his trotter three-wide just past three-quarters and had the lead entering the stretch. A :30.4 last quarter-mile put Manfromnantucket 3/4 lengths in front of Australian Stock (Ray Fisher, Jr.) at the finish line. Long shot Craiger (Jamie Dunlap) came in third.

“I got a great cover trip behind Splendid Les”, said Beback. “When I went three wide, he really responded”.

The $4,500 share of the winning purse boosted Manfromnantucket’s season bankroll to $8,340 and $94,119 lifetime. Owned and trained by Allan P. McCarty of Hamburg N.Y., Manfromnantucket is a half-brother to 2009 North American Horse of the Year Muscle Hill.

Live harness racing will resume on Saturday, May 29 with first post scheduled for 6:40 p.m.

(Buffalo Raceway)