Wine Guide, a seven-year-old Artiscape gelding, out of the Western Hanover mare Western Reserve, won the $26,000 Niatross Final in 2:01, to register his first win this season for owner David Bratt, at Buffalo Raceway
Saturday night.
It’s a rag to riches story that’s almost hard to believe. Two weeks ago, Wine Guide finished fifth at 19-1 in on one of the elimination legs. That meant he did not qualify for the next leg. But wait, Fast And Steady, who did qualify, was claimed out of that race, and instead of going on to the next and final leg, the connections decided to run him in a $10,000 claimer instead. This meant that there would be a draw for that position from the four horses which finished fifth in each elimination. That horse was Wine Guide. In the last leg, Wine Guide finished fourth at 21-1, which enabled him to race in the final.
Wine Guide ($33.00) who was masterfully driven by reinsman Jimmy Whisman, settled in fifth as Clear For Flight (Josh Marks) cut all the fractions in the race, :29.1, :59.1, and 1;30.1. As the field hit the top of the stretch, Wine Guide, who saved all the ground the entire race used a :30 last quarter-mile and the passing lane to edge out second place finishers Rock N Roll Pan and driver Jamie Dunlap by a nose. Another nose back in third was Full Of Speed and reinsman Ray Fisher, Jr.
“I knew the early fractions would be fast,” said Whisman. “So I just sat on the rail and bided my time. When we hit the top of the stretch, I tucked in the passing lane, and asked him [Wine Guide] for everything he had. The kid [19 year-old trainer Shawn McDonough] has done a great job with him.”
It was just the second lifetime win for trainer McDonough.
The $13,000 share of the winning purse put Wine Guide’s seasons bankroll at $14,730, and $65,587 lifetime.
The Niatross Knockout Series was so successful that management has decided to start another series as soon as possible.
(Buffalo Raceway)