In the $9,000 Open Handicap Trot, A Work In Progress, a six-year old chestnut gelding by SJs Caviar out of the Lindy Lane mare Angela Lane, went coast to coast in a season’s best 2:00.1 to register his second win of the year, for owner Betty Tauber of East Brunswick, New Jersey, at Buffalo Raceway, Friday night, February 5
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The favourite in the betting, A Work In Progress ($4.40), leaving from post three in the field of eight, and with regular reinsman Ken Holliday in the bike, cut all the fractions in the race, :30, 1:00.3, and 1:30.3. A :29.3 last quarter mile put the winner one length ahead of second place finishers Hello Carlo and driver Russell Swartz at the wire. Jack Sparrow (Jim McNeight) came in third.
“He really had things his own way with an easy lead,” said Holliday. “He’s a pretty handy horse, and felt real strong tonight”.
Trained by Ken’s wife Sherri, the $4,500 share of the winning purse boosted A Work In Progress’ season bankroll to $9,720 and $109,259 lifetime.
In the $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace, Newberry Winner ($22.60) and driver Jamie Dunlap, made a three-wide sweep of the field around the far turn heading for home, and beat second place finisher All Deuce (Ray Fisher, Jr.) by two lengths in 1:59.3.
Trained by Neal Russo, it was the second win in a row, and third of the season for Newberry Winner, who is owned by Howard M. Ouriel of Rochester New York.
(Buffalo Raceway)