Ontario-bred Deliciouslynaughty has certainly been a dominate damsel this season in New York. She proved it once again on Wednesday night (April 26), this time by finding a place in the Buffalo Raceway record book with a gutsy nose victory over Vla Faire in 1:54.2.
The time equalled the track record for aged pacing mares of 1:54.2, established by Majic Laughter and Case Solved in 2014.
It appeared that Deliciouslynaughty (Larry Stalbaum) was going to set the fractions in the $8,200 featured pacing event for the ladies by reaching the quarter pole in :28.1. After going by that station, Vla Faire, sitting third, tipped out and cruised to the lead, posting a half in :56.4 and hitting the three-quarter marker in 1:26.1.
In the stretch drive, it looked like Vla Faire (Wade Tomaszewski) might hang on for the victory but Deliciouslynaughty ($5.50) made one last gasp and managed to stick a nose in front at the wire. Mayabelle (Ray Fisher Jr.) took the show position.
"My mare kicked in at the last moment at the wire," Stalbaum said of pulling out the narrow win aboard Deliciouslynaughty. "I never thought about a track record. I was more worried about catching Vla Faire."
Deliciouslynaughty has been in the money in 14 of 16 races this season, including six victories. Bred by David Snowden of Bowmanville, Ont., the 10-year-old mare (Mach Three-Naught Enough Hare) has earned $35,606 in 2017 and $454,121 lifetime. She is owned by Stalbaum and trained by Kimberly Asher.
Fisher Jr. found the winner's circle four times while Stalbaum and Ron Beback Jr. doubled. Kimberly Asher and Jim Graham posted two training wins.
Racing will continue on Friday evening at 5 p.m. with an 11-race program scheduled. There's a Pick-5 carryover of $778, which begins in the second race.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)