A jump in class didn’t seem to bother Miss Walker, a six-year-old Aces N Sevens offspring, out of the In Abercrombie mare In Chris Walker, who won in season's best 1:57 to register her fourth win of the year for owner Amanda Tobinski, in the $9,000 Filly and Mares Open Handicap Pace here at Buffalo Raceway Friday Night (April 2).
Capably driven by reinsman Jimmy Whisman, Miss Walker ($6.50), took the lead just past the quarter-pole, which was hit by eventual third place finisher Kelly (Jack Flanigen) in :28.3. Now with the lead, Miss Walker set the rest of the fractions in the race, :58.4 and 1:27.3 to the three-quarter mark. A :29.2 last quarter-mile put the winner 1-1/4 lengths ahead of second place finisher Sun Belle Perfect (Ron Beback, Jr.) at the finish line.
“She’s really good right now”, said Whisman. “Greg’s done a great job with her”.
Trained by Greg Luther, the $4,500 share of the winning purse put Miss Walker’s season bankroll at $19,318, and $75,343 lifetime.
In Friday’s $9,000 Open Trot, Jack Sparrow ($8.30) came from dead last in the field of seven and won in 1:59.3, a season’s best, to capture his third win of the 2010 campaign for owner Michael Calimeri.
With driver Jack Flanigen subbing for regular driver Jim McNeight, Jack Sparrow swung three wide at the top of the stretch, and beat second place finisher, and last week's Open winner Australian Stock (Kevin Cummings) by one length. Splendid Les (Ron Beback, Jr.) came in third.
“I got a really nice trip tonight”, said Flanigen. “He (Jack Sparrow) doesn’t usually get a second over trip from back there."
Trained by Jim McNeight, the $4,500 share of the winning purse put Jack Sparrow’s season bankroll at $22,230 and $258,382 lifetime.
Harness racing will resume on Saturday, April 3, with first post scheduled for 6:40 PM.
(Buffalo)