No Favouritism For Mach Stockn Barrel
No respect. That's about the best way to summarize Mach Stockn Barrel at Buffalo Raceway as for the fifth time in six starts, the four-year-old Ontario-sired gelding failed to go off as the post time favourite despite an impressive resume.
But for the fifth time in those six starts, Mach Stockn Barrel ($7.00) found his way to the winner's circle after registering a hard-charging length win in a career-best 1:55.2 in the featured $9,500 conditioned pace on Saturday night (April 18).
With eight victories now in 12 starts in 2015, Mach Stockn Barrel drew the seven post and watched Jokerman post some wicked fractions of :27.4, :56.1 and 1:25.4. It proved to be a perfect set up.
Mach Stockn Barrel, sitting last at the half in the field of seven, started making steady headway up the backstretch. Now gobbling up real estate on the outside past the three-quarter pole, Mach Stockn Barrel was locked and loaded. He used a powerful drive to the wire and blew past the stalling Jokerman (Jack Flanigen). Lucky Nadotremblay (Shawn Gray) rallied and finished in second while Jokerman held on for third.
Owned by Leonard Segall and trained by James Clouser Jr., Mach Stockn Barrel (Mach Three-Timeless Classic) has now earned $36,856 in 2015.
In the semi-finals of the Niatross Knockout Claiming 'B' Series, Dedalos ($6.30) and Secluded Island ($5.70) each posted wins.
Dedalos (Jim McNeight), who won the 'A' division back in March, had the fastest time of the two divisions with a 1:57.1 clocking, nipping Jettison (Cummings Jr.) by a nose. Tymal Torch (Gray) finished in third and will advance to next week's $24,500 (estimated) final along with Full Circle Spirit (Drew Monti), who took fourth.
Secluded Island, in the meantime, had a little bit easier time after romping to a two length decision over Feets Of Magic (Monti). Also moving on to the finals are third-place finisher Nighthawk Hall (Kevin Cummings) and K C Colt (Ron Beback Jr.), who rolled into fourth position.
A $10,000 consolation race will also be held next Saturday for those not making the championship event.
Racing will continue on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. with a 12-race card scheduled.
(Buffalo Raceway)