Western Alumni turned in the fastest mile of the season at Buffalo Raceway winning Saturday night’s $10,500 Open Pace in gate-to-wire fashion in 1:54.
Starting from the two post, Western Alumni (Jim McNeight) went right to the lead and forced the remaining field of six to try and track him down. It didn't happen. Western Alumni ($10.80) put up solid fractions of :28.4, :58 and 1:25.4 and used a final :28.1 panel over the fast track to hold off the mild rally of second-place finisher Cobble Beach (John Cummings, Jr.) while Giant Sculpture (Shawn Gray) took the show spot.
Owned by North Creek Racing LLC and trained by Jerry Nugent, Jr., it was the second victory of the season for Western Alumni (Western Hanover-Countryview Miss). The seven-year-old gelding has now bankrolled $16,346 in 2015 and $226,644 lifetime.
In the quarterfinals of the Niatross Knockout Claiming 'B' Series, Jettison (Gray) had the fastest winning time of the four divisions with a 1:57.2 tour over the Buffalo Raceway half-mile oval. Jettison returned $4.00 for the victory.
Dedalos ($6.20), the winner of the 'A' series earlier this season, took his bracket with a 1:58.1 clocking for driver Kevin Cummings.
Driver Drew Monti took two legs with Nora Lee ($4.30) capturing her division with a 1:58.1 mile while Full Circle Spirit ($5.40) was on top at the end in his race with a 1:58.2 mark.
The top four finishers in each division will return this Saturday night for the semi-final round.
Racing will resume at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday evening with a 12-race program slated to get underway at 6:35 p.m.
(Buffalo Raceway)