Livonjaxandqueens was the winning hand in Buffalo Raceway's $20,000 Open Pace on Saturday afternoon, March 29, by rallying past the pacesetting Villiam for a successful season's debut.
After turning in a 1:58.3 qualifier on March 19, Livonjaxandqueens, a winner seven times in 2024, showed he was ready for the top level pacers in his seasonal debut.
Villiam, victorious in his last two starts and the lukewarm favourite, was assigned the eight post and driver Joseph Chindano Jr. was able to scramble to the lead with him just before the opening panel. Bringing Livonjaxandqueens and James McNeight Jr. along in tow from the pocket, Villiam posted fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:27.3.
It was a two-horse battle turning for home with Livonjaxandqueens pulling the pocket on Villiam and he was able to eventually run down the leader, scoring the half-length victory in 1:56.1 over the 'good' track. Silverhill Blaze and John Cummings Jr. took third-place honours.
Trained by James Rothfuss, Livonjaxandqueens (American Ideal-Its De Lovely) is a five-year-old homebred, who has produced $192,436 in earnings thus far in his career for owner Howard Ouriel of Rochester, New York. He paid $11 to win.
Another one fresh off the bench for the Ouriel-Rothfuss connections was Andrews Ideal, who romped to a four-length victory in 1:57 at first asking, returning a healthy $33.20.
In the $18,571 Open I-II Handicapped Trot, Chindano Jr. made sure Grinder didn't have to 'grind' out a victory. Instead, he led gate to wire and easily topped Newsboy by two lengths in 1:58. A final half-mile of :57.4 sealed the deal for Grinder, who paid $8.40 to win.
Off the gate, Grinder had little trouble in getting to the point, putting up fractions of :29.4 and 1:00.1. With Newsboy (Drew Monti) and Crazy Ritz (McNeight Jr.) tracking behind in second and third, Grinder stayed strong on the front end and cruised home to the solid victory by 2-1/4 lengths.
Owned by the P T Stable of Brick, New Jersey and conditioned by Candace Brandstatter-Hall, the nine-year-old Andover Hall-Wishful Me gelding recorded his second win in nine attempts on the season. The triumph was his 28th lifetime and increased his bankroll to $356,565.
Starting this week, Buffalo Raceway will add Fridays to the racing calendar to go along with the usual Wednesday and Saturday programs. Post time each day will be 2:30 p.m. This Wednesday will have 10 events including the Open I-II Pace for the mares which will go off as the seventh race.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)