Joesstar Of Mia A made his seasonal debut an impressive one as he collected the victory in Buffalo Raceway's $15,500 Open Pace on Saturday evening in 1:54.1 over the fast track. He turned back Secrecy by a 1-1/4 lengths with Stop Action rolling into third.
With a qualifying victory of 1:58.4 last week over the Buffalo Raceway surface, Joesstar Of Mia A showed he was ready to go upon first asking in 2023.
A early decision by driver Jim Morrill Jr. may have keyed the win. Starting from the seven post, Joesstar Of Mia A could have easily dropped into fourth place before the quarter pole but Morrill decided to move on to the lead with him. It turned out to be the proper and smart move.
Hitting the opening quarter in a snappy :27.1, Joesstar Of Mia A had nothing but clear sailing the rest of the way. With panels of :56 and 1:25.2 and no pressure coming from behind, Joesstar Of Mia A coasted home to the solid victory.
Owned by Dowse Racing Inc. and trained by Gareth Dowse, the 10-year-old Joesstar Of Mia A (Roll With Joe-Star Of Mia) took home the $7,750 first-place cheque. The win moved his career earnings to $579,880.
There were three $15,000 divisions of the Jumpstart Series for horses with a Trackmaster Rating of 77 or less. Filly Speaks ($4.80) was the fastest in the trio of events with a 1:56.3. Other winners in the opening leg were Fox Valley Charliz ($6.20, 1:57.3) and She Can Party ($6.90, 1:57.4).
Morrill had a super Saturday night as he completed the program with five winners while David McNeight III had three. James Clouser Jr. posted a training double.
Racing will resume on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with an 11-race card. There's a $2,665 carryover in the Pick 5, which begins in the second race.
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