Published:
April 12, 2025 08:14 pm EDT
Veteran pacer Littlebitaswagger made it five straight victories on Saturday (April 12) at Buffalo Raceway in the $15,278 conditioned pace as the 13-year-old won the stretch duel against Dogfight in 1:57.2.
Dogfight (Morrill Jr.) was in command through the opening three panels with splits of :29, :58.4 and 1:28.2. At the top of the lane, Littlebitaswagger and Monti couldn't wait any longer and began the chase. With momentum now on his side, Littlebitaswagger ($4.30) rolled on past Dogfight in the shadow of the wire to post the half length score. Confidence Man (Kevin Cummings) took the show position.
Owned and trained by Christopher Petrelli, Littlebitaswagger (Santanna Blue Chip-Aspirine Semalu) has six victories in 11 starts on the campaign. The triumph moved his 2025 winnings to $40,510 and to $478,888 in his career.
Everything went true to form in Buffalo Raceway's $17,361 pace on Saturday afternoon as the even money favourite Stranger Things ($4.20) popped the pocket and stormed to a length victory over Lanas Desire in a season's best 1:55.4 over the good track.
Lanas Desire (Drew Monti) took the early lead from the rail and collected fractions of :28.2, :58.2 and 1:27.2. But the dirty work on the front end didn't pan out as Stranger Things (Jim Morrill Jr.) tipped to the outside at the top of the lane and methodically stepped away for the victory. I Aint No Mack (Kyle Swift) earned third place honors.
Co-owned by Kathy Schoeffel and James Reuther, the nine-year-old Stranger Things (Western Terror-Southwind Prairie) notched his third win of the season in 11 outings. He increased his seasonal bankroll to $38,909 and to $430,534 lifetime.
In the second of two $15,278 events for the pacers on the program, Idealthecards ($17.60) dealt himself the winning hand by beating the front running Handsoffmytitos by quarter-quarters of a length in 1:58.1. Silverhill Blaze (Dan Yetman) was third.
Driven by Mike Baumeister, it was the first start of the season for Idealthecards (American Ideal-Jessalilmixup). Owned by Aubrey Ensell, trainer Terence McClory and Chris McClory, the six-year-old gelding has produced $159,653 in earnings during his career.
Monti finished the card with a driving triple with Morrill Jr. getting a double. David Russo recorded two training victories.
Racing will resume on Wednesday (April 16) afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a 12-race card scheduled.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)
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