Hailstorm Volo, affectionately known as the “little guy” in the stables, won the $11,000 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway Friday night.
The five-year-old Calssic Photo gelding won in 1:59.3 over the fast track for owners Anthony Gruppo, Tim Bojarski, and Jack Flanigen. The victory was his first this season.
Leaving from the post three in the field of eight, trainer-driver Jack Flanigen put Hailstorm Volo on the lead and the gutsy gelding cut all the fractions in the race, on a cold windy night, :30, :59.2, and 1:30.1. A :29.2 last quarter-mile put the winner a neck in front of second-place finisher Keystone Orion (Ray Fisher Jr.) at the finish line. Columbia County (Jamie Dunlap) came in third.
The $5,500 share of the winning purse put Hailstorm Volo’s seasonal earnings $8,250 and his lifetime earnings at $98,540. The victory was his 13th in 57 lifetime attempts.
Driver Dan Noble led all drivers with five victories on the night. He drove winners Mighty Fella ($14.40), Yukons Luck ($8.20), Destinationunknown ($4.90), Rocknroll Band ($2.80), and Monsieur De Vie ($3.50).
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)