Under Paid was overlooked in Buffalo Raceway's $10,000 Class AA-Open Handicapped Pace on Saturday night (March 20) as he went from last to first in the stretch to post an $11.20 upset in a seasonal-best 1:56.
Sitting fifth in the field of five turning for home, Under Paid found wiggle room down the open stretch and chugged his way to the lead in the shadow of the wire to stun the remaining four participants. He beat Stratosphere by a half length while Allstar Energy took the show spot.
Weekend Atnannies set the tempo of the race with fractions of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:27 over the "fast" track. Turning for home, the field fanned out with all competitors having a legitimate chance, but Under Paid squeezed through along the inside and used a :28.3 final quarter to collect the victory.
Owned by Jennifer Rogowski and trained by Ryan Swift, it was the second victory in four attempts in 2021 for Under Paid. The five-year-old horse (Rocknroll Dance-Upfront Cruzin) has earned $10,612 this season and $118,144 in his lifetime. Ray Fisher Jr. sat in the sulky.
In the sub-featured $8,880 Class A Pace, Southwind Onyx tipped three wide in the stretch and barreled past Thor De Vie late to take the neck score in 1:56.1.
Following the first-over cover of Thor De Vie at the top of the lane, driver Kyle Cummings and Southwind Onyx were much the best and won drawing away. Thor De Vie hung on for second while the pacesetting Ohio Prince was third.
Co-owned by trainer Tammy Cummings and Michael Blidy, it was the first victory in five starts for the six-year-old gelded Southwind Onyx (Bettors Delight-Its Only Rocknroll). The win upped his earnings to $8,336 on the campaign and $124,142 in his career. He paid $6.50 to win.
Racing will continue on Wednesday evening (March 24) at 6 p.m. (EDT) with an 11-race card scheduled. There will be a $3,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick 5, which starts in the second race.
(Buffalo Raceway)