Im So Handsome had to battle to be the boss on the front, then won the war in Buffalo Raceway's $11,000 Class AA-Open Handicap Pace on Saturday night (Feb. 22).
Getting parked for over a quarter mile, Im So Handsome finally got to the pylons and paced home to score a length victory over Beachy Dream in 1:55, the fastest of the 2020 meet thus far.
Hold The Gold, who finished in third, parked Im So Handsome through a quarter in :28.3. It was then "catch me if you can" for Im So Handsome as went the half in a sizzling :56.3. No one had the answer, however, as Im So Handsome stayed strong in the stretch to collect the win.
Owned and trained by Tessa Perrin, it was the second win in four starts this year for Im So Handsome (Hot Pans-Cheyenne Rose). The decision moved his seasonal earnings to $13,000 and $273,240 lifetime. David McNeight III drove the $11.80 winner.
In the first of two $10,000 Class A paces, Southwind Onyx found the top to be the best spot for him with a one-and-a-half nod over the favoured Weekend Atnannies in 1:57.1.
A three-way scrum occurred at the start between Southwind Onyx, Weekend Atnannies and Utah Beach. When things finally sorted themselves out, Southwind Onyx set the fractions of :28, :57.2 and 1:27.2. Southwind Onyx had little trouble through the stretch as the five-year-old gelding turned back Weekend Atnannies and Carlos Danger.
Co-owned by trainer Tammy Cummings and Michael Blidy, it was the first win in four attempts in 2020 for Southwind Onyx (Bettors Delight-Its Only Rocknroll). The win jumped him seasonal earnings to $8,700 and $88,61 lifetime. Kyle Cummings drove the $10.60 winner.
In the second division, Lucky McTrucky watched pacesetter Burning Shore do all the dirty work then blew on by in the passing lane to register the neck win in the four-horse photo.
Burning Shore, who set the split of :29.3, :59.2 and 1:27.3, couldn't hold off the late charge of Lucky McTrucky, Blue On Black and Don McWhite who took the top three spots respectively.
Co-owned and trained by Perrin, Lucky McTrucky (McArdle-Truculent Lady) is an 11-year-old gelding who captured his first win of the campaign in three tries. The victory increased his earnings to $5,880 and $559,508 in his career. Ray Fisher Jr. drove the $21.40 winner.
Morales had a four bagger in the bike while Davis Jr. tripled and Denny Bucceri doubled. Maria Rice, Perrin and Angelo Nappo all posted a pair of training victories.
Racing will continue on Wednesday night (Feb. 26) with a 13-race program set for 5 p.m.
(Buffalo Raceway)