Spacie Jessie, a seven-year-old Space Shuttle mare out of the Unique Concept mare Chip O The Ram, went wire-to-wire in 1:56.3 to register her first win of the year, for owner-driver James M. Dunn, in the $9,000 Filly and Mares Open Handicap at Buffalo Raceway Friday night
Spacie Jessie ($21.20) leaving from the pylons in the field of six, set all the fractions in the race, :28.4, :58.4, and 1:28. A :28.3 last quarter-mile put the winner a neck in front of last week's Open winner Miss Walker (Jimmy Whisman) at the finish line. All Deuce (Jack Flanigen) came in third.
“After six months of hard work, she’s finally back,” said Dunn. “Last week she started to feel like her old self, and tonight we saw the old Spacie Jessie.”
Trained by Ron Beback, Jr., the $4,500 share of the winning purse put Spacie Jessie’s 2010 bankroll at $7,549 and $164,063 lifetime.
In the $9,000 Open Handicap Trot, Hello Carlo ($4.40), a Carry The Message gelding out of the Supergill mare Last Turn, won in 1:59 to register his fourth win of the season for owner Mario Caponi of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Capably driven by the meet's leading reinsman Jack Flanigen, Hello Carlo leaving from Post 5, shot right to the lead, and never looked back to beat second place finisher, 19-1 longshot Bedroom Photo (Ray Fisher, Jr.) by 2-3/4 lengths. Carolina Raider (Troy Boring) came in the show spot.
“Once we got to the front, it was pretty easy,” said Flanigen. “It was the first time I drove him, and he’s a very nice trotter.”
Trained by Larry Clabaugh, the $4,500 share of the winning purse put Hello Carlo’s season bankroll at $26,370, and $107,520 lifetime.
Racing will resume on Saturday, May 1, Derby Day, with first post scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your coupon for your free 2010 Derby glass.
(Buffalo Raceway)