After a pair of heart breaking half-length setbacks the past two weeks, Mr Ham Sandwich avoided disappointment again by rolling to a solid three-quarter-length victory over Black Is Back in the $10,600 Class AA-Open Handicapped Pace at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (May 1). Mr Ham Sandwich covered the mile in 1:54 over the "fast" track, the fastest time of the meet.
Sitting fourth after the half-mile station, driver David McNeight III put Mr Ham Sandwich on the rim and took command from pacesetting Thor De Vie with a quarter to go. Powerfully striding to a two-length margin heading for home, Mr Ham Sandwich had no issues in turning back Black Is Back while Thor De Vie finished in third.
Owned by Rose Campbell and trained by Russell Bratt, it was the third victory in 11 attempts for the seven-year-old stallion. Mr Ham Sandwich has produced $22,333 in earnings this season and $268,305 lifetime. He paid $5.20 to win.
Stormont Rare has tried his luck at Northfield Park and Saratoga Raceway but nothing seems to beat the friendly confines of Buffalo Raceway.
Pushing his record to perfect three-for-three at Buffalo Raceway on the 2021 campaign, Stormont Rare had to battle down the stretch before eventually holding on by a head over the pesky Majestic Kat in the co-featured $10,400 Class A-Open Handicapped Trot.
After reaching the lead approaching the opening panel, Stormont Rare set fractions of :29, :57.3 and 1:27.2 but had to brace for the battle in the lane from Majestic Kat. On even terms in the drive to the wire, Stormont Rare was able to nudge ahead in the end to notch the victory over Majestic Kat in 1:57.2. Mugshots Bro took third place.
Owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama, it was the third win in 10 appearances for the five-year-old gelded Stormont Rare (Glidemaster-Stormont Fred). The win increased his bankroll to $14,705 on the year and $65,379 lifetime. Jim Morrill Jr. drove the $4.40 winner.
Davis Jr. produced a triple while Kevin Cummings and Ray Fisher Jr. had driving doubles. Bratt and Maria Rice each had a pair of training wins.
Racing will resume on Wednesday night with an 11-race program to begin at 5 p.m. (EDT). There will be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 in the Pick 5 starting in the second race.
(Buffalo Raceway)