Mr Euroman N made his 2020 debut a successful one with a gate-to-wire win over Andys Ideal in Buffalo Raceway's featured $11,000 Class AA-Open Handicap Pace on Saturday night (March 14).
The score by Mr Euroman N capped a stellar night for driver Billy Davis Jr., as Buffalo Raceway's leading driver put together a five-win evening while trainer Maria Rice and co-owners Vogel & Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Adelphia Bloodstock enjoyed three victories on the 13-race program.
Starting from the pylons, Mr Euroman N stomped to the lead and posted fractions of :29.4, :58.2 and 1:27.2 over the fast track. In the stretch, Mr Euroman N found no takers and was in cruise control hitting the wire in 1:56. Andys Ideal was second with Iluvtomakemoney grabbing the show spot.
Mr Euroman N (Art Major-Little Big Sister), an eight-year-old gelding, saw his career winnings move to $164,055. He paid $10.60 to win.
In the first of two $10,000 Class A paces, Drunkonaplane made a big three-wide brush heading to the three-quarter marker and flew home a winner in 1:57. He beat Jims Great by a diminishing neck while Myells Rockstar was third.
Drunkonaplane ($3.60) is co-owned by Vogel & Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Adelphia Bloodstock. Trained by Rice, it was the third win in 10 tries for the six-year-old gelded Drunkonaplane (Rock N Roll Heaven-Ali Badali). He has now earned $16,218 this season and $151,821 lifetime. Billy Davis Jr. sat in the bike.
It was a cavalry charge down the stretch in the second division with a photo needed to decide the winner. In the end, Percys Z Tam and driver Kevin Cummings held on by a nose in 1:56.4 with Blue On Black and Santana Beach settling for the second- and third-place positions respectively.
Owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama, the six-year-old gelded Percys Z Tam (American Ideal-Mintjulep Bluechip) has now scored three victories in eighth starts this year. The win upped his seasonal bankroll to $15,890 and $201,286 in his career. He paid $9.20 to win.
Aaron Byron and Kevin Cummings had driving doubles on the evening.
Racing will continue on Wednesday evening (March 18) at 5 p.m. with a 13-race program scheduled. There will be a $5,000 guarantee in the Pick 5 which begins in the second race.
(Buffalo Raceway)