Franks Watching ($15.00) has taken his time in getting his 2022 campaign underway and after witnessing his effort in Buffalo Raceway's $15,000 Open Trot on Saturday afternoon (April 23), it was well worth the wait.

Making his seasonal debut last week with a solid second place finish in the Open II-III Trot, Franks Watching (David McNeight III) looked to be in mid-season form by wiring the field in 1:57.2 over the fast track. He easily turned aside Castyourcrown (Jim Morrill Jr.) by 1-3/4 lengths while CR Blazin Beauty (Kyle Cummings) finished in third.

Putting 11 victories in the win column last season, Franks Watching used four qualifiers in March and April in preparation for making his debut last week. 

Scoring from the four post, Franks Watching took command early and set fractions of :30, :58.3 and 1:28.2. Turning for home, Castyourcrown and CR Blazin Beauty had every opportunity to try and track down Franks Watching but those bids came up woefully short.

Owned by Mary Warriner and trained by Ryan Swift, it was the first win in two appearances on the season for the five-year-old gelding Franks Watching (Pilgrims Chuckie - Winning Blade). The win moved his seasonal bankroll to $10,325 and $93,922 lifetime.

The $14,000 Open I-II Handicapped Pace saw Stop Action ($17.20) spring the upset by beating Timeto Communicate by three quarter lengths in 1:55. The victory gave McNeight III a sweep of both featured events.

Stop Action got the perfect trip in the top pacing event. Sitting in the pocket following Timeto Communicate, who put up fractions of :29.4, :58.2 and 1:27, Stop Action tipped to the outside down the lane and cruised past the pace setter to collect the win.  A :28 final quarter mile sent Stop Action to the winner's circle. My Money Honey (Kyle Cummings) finished in third.

Owned by Super Mile LLC and trained by Angelo Nappo, the five-year-old gelded Stop Action (Somebeachsomewhere - The Show Returns) has now produced four victories in 11 tries on the year. The win upped his bankroll to $23,631 and $100,675 in his career.

Buffalo Raceway's leading driver, Drew Monti, finished the day with five victories. Nappo had a pair of training wins.

Live harness racing will continue on Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. with an 11-race card set. There's a guaranteed pool of $5,000 in the Pick 5 which begins in the second race.

(Buffalo)