Sr Radar wasn't on the radar of many fans in Buffalo Raceway's $10,500 Class A Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday night (Feb. 27), but those who had him on their screens were rewarded handsomely with a $53.50 win ticket.
In the other main event, HP Sissy ($7.30) dashed through the snow in gate-to-wire fashion and easily took the $10,500 Class A Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares.
Scoring from the three post on the flurry-filled evening, Sr Radar was pushed right to the lead by driver Mike Baumeister. After registering fractions of :29.4, 1:00.4 and 1:33.1, Sr Radar then braced himself for late charges down the stretch.
Those rallies came fast and furious, as Are You In (John Cummings Jr.) and Kickinitwithkohler (Denny Bucceri) both made valiant efforts down the lane, but Sr Radar managed to cling to a neck victory in 2:05.4. Are You In took second while Kickinitwithkohler was third.
Owned and trained by Brittney Ohol, it was the second win in six tries this season for the six-year-old gelding Sr Radar (Iron Duke-Sweethomeourbama). The victory pushed his seasonal winnings to $13,325 and $110,715 lifetime.
HP Sissy (Bucceri) found things much easier in the co-feature, as she had little problem in wiring the field by 3-1/4 lengths.
Pacing right to the lead off the wings, HP Sissy cruised on the front end with splits of :30.1, 1:01.4 and 1:32. It appeared that Aritzia Hanover and You Mach Me Crazy were poised to make bids at the top of the stretch, but HP Sissy stayed on task and never was threatened at the finish line.
HP Sissy (Up The Credit-Monica Blue Chip) is a six-year-old mare owned by John and Sally Finocchario and trained by Mike Ohol. She has now produced $18,138 in 2019 earnings and $269,274 in her career.
In the $15,000 final of the Opportunity Knocks Series, Keystone Royce (Bucceri) collared the pace-setting Capital Account (Drew Monti) and scored a two-length victory. Quick Trot (Jimmy Whittemore) took the show position.
Keystone Royce (Western Hanover-Keystone Romona) is an 11-year-old gelding that is owned by Lav Racing Stable and trained by George Anthrop. It was the second trip to the winner's circle for Keystone Royce this year. It moved his seasonal bankroll to $12,720 and $229,640 lifetime.
In the $7,500 Opportunity Knocks consolation event, Ugly Betty (Billy Davis Jr.) pulled a $11.20 surprise.
Davis and Bucceri each had four-baggers in the bike while Monti had a double. Jeff Amann had a training double.
Racing will continue on Saturday evening (March 2), when a 13-race card goes to the post starting at 6 p.m. There will be a $649 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the second race.
For more information including the latest news, race replays, results, entries, upcoming promotions and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.
(Buffalo Raceway)