Wilberforce was a force to be reckoned with in Buffalo Raceway's $13,000 Class A-Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday evening (Feb. 26), as he struck to the lead and hung on the rest of the way to take a three-quarter-length decision over Daylon Phantom in 2:01 over a 'sloppy' track.
After being parked at the start of the race, John Cummings Jr. made the decision to march forward with Wilberforce and it proved to be the right call.
With splits of :29.1, :59.3 and 1:30, Wilberforce ($8.60) was strong enough down the stretch and was able to hold back the late surge of Daylon Phantom (Renaldo Morales III), while Noble Legend (Billy Davis Jr.) took the show spot.
Co-owned by trainer Kris Rickert and Dale Wareham, it was the fourth victory in eight starts this season for the eight-year-old gelded Wilberforce (Caviar Crown-Rose Run Imprint). The win moved his earnings to $33,950 on the campaign and $321,222 in his career.
Fox Valley Veto ($3.60) has been battling in the Open Trot to start the 2020 season at Buffalo Raceway, but got a much appreciated drop in classification. He responded nicely in the $10,000 Class A division with a solid 2-1/4 length victory over Are You In.
It took a three-wide move to the opening panel to vault Fox Valley Veto (Davis) into the lead and he never looked back from there.
Setting fractions of :30.3, 1:02 and 1:32.1, Fox Valley Veto tripped the timer in 2:01.3 and never was threatened as Are You In (Kevin Cummings) and Catch The Bouquet (Drew Monti) settled for second and third respectively.
Co-owned by Vogel & Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Adelphia Bloodstock, Fox Valley Veto (Pizzazzed-Yankee Victory Om) is trained by Maria Rice. The win upped the nine-year-old gelding's earnings to $5,650 and $532,638 lifetime.
Machs Echo ($7.90) got a perfect pocket trip and turned it into a narrow nose victory over Sarah Cola in the $10,000 Class A-Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares.
Jag Out (Kevin Cummings), who finished third, set the tempo with fractions of :29.1, :59 and 1:29.1. She couldn't hang on, however, as Machs Echo (Jim Morrill Jr.) attacked from the passing lane while Sarah Cola came on the outside. It was a photo finish with Machs Echo managing to nose out Sarah Cola.
Owned by Finocchario's Dream Stable and trained by Mike Ohol, it was the first win in four attempts this season for Machs Echo (Mach Three-Rocket Time). The six-year-old mare has now produced a bankroll of $9,200 in 2020 and $104,571 lifetime.
John Cummings Jr. had a triple in the bike while Monti and Kevin Cummings each had a pair of wins. Gerry Sarama had a training triple and David Russo a double.
Racing will continue on Saturday evening (Feb. 29) at 6 p.m. with a 13-race program on tap.
For more information, including the latest news, race replays, results, entries, simulcast schedule and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.
(Buffalo Raceway)