It was 'girl power' as Lenny Mac beat the boys in the $9,500 Open Trot while Itsonlyrocknroll A showed who the 'man' was in the $9,500 Open Pace to highlight Buffalo Raceway's card on Saturday (Jan. 20).
Also in the spotlight was driver Shawn Gray. After posting a four-bagger on Wednesday night, he remained on fire with a five-win evening. Trainer James Clouser impressed as well on the 13-race program as he sent four to the winner's circle.
In the opener over the good track, Lenny Mac (Gray) followed the tempo-setting Empire Earl N through the opening half mile of action in 1:01.1. Lenny Mac, the lone mare in the race, had enough of that position and slipped to the outside to slowly cut into the lead.
The always business-like Lenny Mac ($6.10) kept her head down and chugged her way past the faltering Empire Earl N in the stretch. At the wire, she was a head in front, holding off a late charge by Osprey Vision (Ray Fisher Jr.) in 2:00.3. Empire Earl N (Larry Stalbaum) finished in third.
Owned by William Emmons and trained by Clouser Jr., Lenny Mac (Kadabra-Lend A Hand) is a seven-year-old mare that has earned nearly $250,000 in her career.
The co-featured Open Pace saw Itsonlyrocknroll A wait patiently for the passing lane then cruise on by Heaven Rocks in 1:56.
Gray sent Heaven Rocks right to the front off the gate and put up splits of :29, :58.4 and 1:27.3. But the front end journey went to waste.
With a final panel to pace, Itsonlyrocknroll A (Stalbaum) sat in the garden spot and had plenty left in the tank to overtake Heaven Rocks (Gray) by a length. P L Jackson (Mike Micallef) took the show spot.
Itsonlyrocknroll A (Million Dollar Cam-Boldandbeautiful) is a seven-year-old gelding who is owned by Stalbaum and trained by Kimberly Asher. It was the second victory in as many starts in 2018 for Itsonlyrocknroll A, now a winner of $7,700 this season and $258,705 lifetime.
Stalbaum and Drew Monti each had two victories in the bike while Asher had a training double.
Live harness Racing will resume on Wednesday night at 5:00 p.m. with an 11-race program scheduled.
(with files from Buffalo)