With early afternoon rain showers and temperatures in the low 50s, it put Buffalo Raceway's half-mile oval in the sloppy category. But the off going sure didn't bother Nutmegs Yankee one bit as she took a one and three-quarter length victory over Dontch Remember in the featured $9,000 pace for the mares on Wednesday evening (March 16).
Heavenly Place (David McNeight III) set the tempo off the pylons, putting up splits of :31.4, 1:02.4 and 1:32.4 and was breezing along smartly. But things were about to change in the last quarter-mile.
Nutmegs Yankee (Truman Gale), who drafted along behind the pacesetter, was just waiting patiently for the passing lane to open up. And when it did, it was over. Nutmegs Yankee ($5.00) exploded past Heavenly Place and pulled away to the victory, winning in 2:01.2. Dontch Remember (Billy Davis Jr.) rallied for place position while Heavenly Place held on for third.
Owned by Mark Jakubik and trained by Angelo Nappo, Nutmegs Yankee (Real Desire-Salty Yankee) now has two victories on the campaign and pushed her seasonal earnings to $9,798. The eight-year-old mare increased her career winnings to $384,866.
Jennifer Falcone registered her first career training victory as Ugly Betty (Davis Jr.) won for her in the second race on the program. Ugly Betty ($6.40), who covered the mile in 1:58.3, is co-owned by Falcone and Margaret Payne.
Kirk Desmond and Russell Bratt conditioned a pair of winners.
Todd Cummings and Drew Monti each scored three victories in the bike and Billy Davis Jr. added a double.
(Buffalo Raceway)