Some hot fractions on the front end and a short field helped spur the always-closing Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) to the victory in Buffalo Raceway's $13,000 Open Trot on Wednesday night (Feb. 19).
With a short field of six, Lougazi ($4.80) was in perfect striking range throughout the main event and rolled onto the win late as he caught the pace-setting Rockefeller Lindy (David McNeight III) in 1:58.2 over the good track.
"It was a short field and I never thought they'd go to the half in :58.3," a surprised but pleased Fisher Jr. said after Lougazi's win. "I thought they might walk it to the half and then sprint home but it actually worked out the opposite."
Rockefeller Lindy put up stout fractions of :29.1, :58.4 and 1:28.2 which was perfect for Lougazi. Tipping three wide, Lougazi was flying and easily cruised past Rockfeller Lindy in notching a half-length triumph in 1:58.2 while Daylon Phantom (Renaldo Morales III) captured third.
Owned by Mary Warriner and trained by Ryan Swift, it was the second victory in four attempts for the six-year-old gelded Lougazi (Lous Legacy-Winning Blade). The win increased Lougazi's yearly earnings to $17,810 and $216,293 in his career.
Bred For Greatness (Jim Morrill Jr.) has been nothing but great thus far in 2020 as he made it three straight victories in as many starts with a convincing two length win over Noble Legend in the $10,000 Class A Trot.
After settling into third off the starting gate, Bred For Greatness ($3.90) started the first-over grind just before the half and finally caught the tempo-setting Noble Legend just past the three-quarter pole.
In the stretch, Bred For Greatness pulled away slowly but surely and enjoyed a two-length advantage over Noble Legend (Billy Davis Jr.) in 2:00 while Catch The Bouquet (Jim McNeight Jr.) finished in third.
Co-owned by trainer Mike Ohol and Steven Gross, the six-year-old gelded Bred For Greatness (Federal Flex-Wendy Woo) has produced $12,400 in earnings this season and more than $130,000 lifetime.
In the $10,000 Class A-B Handicap Pace for the filly and mares, Sarah Cola ($10.60) produced her second consecutive wire-to-wire win with a half-length score over Jag Out in 1:58.4.
Taking off from the three post, Sarah Cola (McNeight III) stuffed an early lead attempt from Jag Out (Drew Monti) and that proved to be the right move.
Posting splits of :29.2, 1:00.1, and 1:29.3, Sarah Cola was never in serious trouble on the front end and held back a mild threat from Jag Out late while Machs Echo (Morrill Jr.) rounded out the top three.
Sarah Cola (No Pan Intended-Saramotion) is an eight-year-old mare that is co-owned by trainer Jim Graham and Giuseppe Micchia. It was her second victory in four attempts this year, pushing her earnings to $11,428 and $173,709 in her career.
Morrill Jr. scored a four-bagger in the sulky while Davis Jr. and Fisher Jr. doubled. Swift and Ohol each had training doubles.
Live harness racing will continue at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday evening with a 13-race program set for 6:00 p.m.
(Buffalo)