Justgottogetthere pulled the surprise while Bazooka Terror used a new tactic to highlight their victories in the co-featured events at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (January 28).
In the $10,500 Open Trot, Justgottogetthere was thinking that down the stretch and 'just got there' in time in holding off a flying Second Hand News by a head to post the $39.00 upset victory in 1:59.3.
Bazooka Terror ($7.40) in the meantime is usually a hard-charging closer. Things were different in the $10,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace this week as driver Kevin Cummings took the six-year-old mare to the lead from the eight post and scored the front-running half-length win over Memumsnotnice in 1:57 over the "good" track.
Justgottogetthere (Jim McNeight) sat the pocket behind the pacesetting Lutetium, who set fractions of :29, :59.1 and 1:29.3 in the Open Trot. Taking the lead midway down the lane, Justgottogetthere had just enough left in the tank to fend off Second Hand News (Frank Milby), who was hindered just a bit at the top of the stretch by a breaking Southwind Warsaw. Lutetium held on for the show spot.
Owned by Antonietta Landi and North Creek Racing LLC, Justgottogetthere notched his 20th career victory and he has now earned $143,732 in purses. Jerry Nugent Jr. trained the winner.
Bazooka Terror took almost a quarter-mile to get to the top in the Fillies and Mares Open Pace and once she did, she proved more than capable of going gate-to-wire. After posting a brisk :28.3 opening panel, Cummings was able to control the tempo and never looked back. Memumsnotnice (Billy Dobson) made a mild rally late at Bazooka Terror, but finished a non-threatening half-length back at the wire while Up Front Cruiser (Milby) placed third.
The win was the second in three starts this season for Bazooka Terror and upped her seasonal earnings to $11,340. She is owned by Leonard Segall and is trained by James Clouser Jr.
Racing resumes on Friday night with another 13-race card slated for 6:35 p.m.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)