Free Flyin Ticket took off early and was flying high the rest of the way in posting a lopsided 10-length victory over Ruthmae Hanover in Buffalo Raceway's $11,500 featured pace for the filly and mares on a perfect spring afternoon Wednesday (April 12).
One-sided victories are becoming the norm for Free Flyin Ticket. In her last decision back on March 15, she was a gate-to-wire winner by 10-1/4 lengths in 1:56. While slightly slower this time around with a 1:57 clocking, it was by far more dominating.
Scoring from the inside, driver Kyle Cummings pushed Free Flyin Ticket right off the starting gate and enjoyed a comfortable two-length advantage hitting the opening quarter in a rather leisurely :30. But a :28.1 second panel spelled doom for the rest of the field as Free Flyin Ticket hit the half in :58.1 and opened an eight-length lead.
There was no contest after that as Free Flyin Ticket was up by an insurmountable 15 lengths with a final pole to go and jogged home a 10-length winner. Ruthmae Hanover won the photo over Ashlees Delight for second place.
Owned by Beasty LLC, the six-year-old Free Flyin Ticket (Betterthancheddar-Free Ticket) is trained by James Clouser Jr. It was her second win of the campaign in 12 starts, pushing her 2023 earnings to $24,405 and lifetime bankroll to $278,379. She paid $5.20 to win.
There were five divisions of the Jumpstart Series for horses with a Trackmaster Rating of 70 or less. There were no shockers in the $10,000 events as things held pretty much true to form.
Bet Im Lucky was the fastest on the afternoon with a 1:56.3 time under the guidance of McNeight III and paid $6.40 to win.
Seafood Sweetheart made it five victories in a row as driver Joseph Chindano posted the extremely popular $2.10 in 1:57.2.
Others finding the winner's circle in the series were Chipper Daisy ($5.90 to win, 1:59.1 winning mile), Machbook Pro ($3.40, 1:59.4) and Artistic Spirit ($4.00, 1:58.3).
Jim Morrill Jr. continued his torrid streak as he notched another five victories on the day -- his second five-bagger at the Hamburg half-mile oval on the past two cards. McNeight III and Keith Kash Jr. had doubles on the program.
Jennifer Giuliani had a triple on the training side while Samuel Smith and Jim Graham each had two wins.
Racing will resume on Friday afternoon (April 14) at 2:30 p.m. (EDT) with a 12-race card to be presented.
(Buffalo Raceway)