Ugly Betty turned in another 'beauty' of a victory and Justgottogethere pulled a shocker to highlight the action at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (February 18).
It was an easy gate-to-wire win for Ugly Betty in the $9,500 conditioned pace for fillies and mares while Justgottogethere used a perfect pocket trip to register a $59.50 surprise in the co-featured $9,500 conditioned trot.
The program wasn't completed, however, as Buffalo Raceway was forced to cancel the races after the fifth race due to electrical issues. All wagers from race six through 13 have been refunded. The Pick 4 pays 3-All-All-All.
Ugly Betty ($6.10) started from the rail and never looked back in cruising to her second straight win, an impressive four and a half length decision over Memumsnotnice. Shawn Gray set sail from the rail with Ugly Betty and put up splits of :29, :58 and 1:27.3 en route to posting a seasonal best time of 1:57. Memumsnotnice hung on for place (Frank Milby) while Sadies Place (Draw Monti) finished in third.
Owned by Margaret Payne and Jennifer Falcone, Ugly Betty (Camluck-Red Road Rage) is a seven-year-old mare who is trained by Dennis Dylo. With the win, Ugly Betty has now earned $13,425 this season and $185,097 lifetime.
Driver Jim McNeight used the perfect game plan with Justgottogetthere to get the victory in the featured trot.
Dropping into the garden spot at the start behind the pacesetting Lutetium, Justgottogetthere and McNeight waited patiently until the top of the stretch. They then roared by the leg weary Lutetium to pull away for the stunning two and a half length win in 2:02.1. Fiorentina (Milby) showed late kick for second while Northern Spark (John Cummings Jr.) placed third.
The $59.50 win price by Justgottogetthere (Valley Victor-Maras Theme) spurred a $480.50 exacta and $4,390.50 trifecta.
Justgottogetthere is a six-year-old gelding owned by Antonietta Landi and the North Creek Racing Stable LLC. Jerry Nugent Jr. trained the the winner, now two-for-three on the season. The trotter's earnings climbed to $10,000 in 2015 and $148,482 in his career.
Racing continues on Friday night at Buffalo Raceway with a 13-race card scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)