City Kid showed who the 'man' was on Friday night (March 17) at Buffalo Raceway by winning the featured $8,200 trot by a length over The Bronx Bumper in a seasonal-best 1:58.2 on the fast track.
After a pair of narrow defeats the past two weeks, City Kid ($14.40) finally had his photo opportunity thanks to a pylon-skimming journey over the Hamburg half-mile oval.
Lenny Mac, the lone mare in the event, set the tempo in the race with fractions of :29.4, :59 and 1:28.4. She had to deal with The Bronx Bumper, who pestered her on the outside the entire mile while City Kid enjoyed the ground-saving trip.
Turning for home, City Kid (Larry Stalbaum) dropped to the passing lane to rustle the lead, but had to hold off a stubborn The Bronx Bumper (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Lenny Mac (Kevin Cummings), who finished a game second and third, respectively.
Owned by Marissa Russo and trained by David Russo, City Kid (Cincinnati Kid-Salagadoola) is a nine-year-old gelding who now has earned $14,990 in 2017 and $203,580 lifetime.
Morrill Jr. finished the evening with a four-bagger while David McNeight III had a pair of victories. Jeff Amann notched a training double.
Racing will resume on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with a 12-race card slated. The night will be highlighted by the World Harness Handicapping Challenge at Buffalo Raceway.
There's a $10 entry fee for The Challenge, which includes past performances for both the Buffalo Raceway and The Meadowlands cards.
The winner of the Buffalo Raceway contest will receive $500 along with an entry into the World Harness Handicapping Championship at The Meadowlands in April along with two nights hotel accommodations.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)