Alexas Sunshine, the lone mare to reach the $41,096 final of the April Reins Claiming Series at Buffalo Raceway, got to wear the crown as she beat the boys on Friday afternoon, May 1.
Claimed in all three preliminary events of the series, Alexas Sunshine showed why she was a dynamic damsel and well worth the weekly tag after finishing with a pair of wins and a second in the opening rounds. She topped off the barn changes by taking the first-place prize in the finale for trainer Taylor Fritz.
With co-favoured stablemate Mister Marvalous (David McNeight III) taking early control of the race, Alexas Sunshine was content sitting in fourth for driver Wade Tomaszewski and letting her barn buddy do the dirty work on the front end. After fractions of :28.1 and :57.3 through the opening half over the "good" track, Alexas Sunshine began her first-over journey approaching the clubhouse turn the second time.
With clear sailing on the rim approaching the three-quarter pole, Alexas Sunshine took dead aim on Mister Marvalous, who hit the beam in 1:27.3 and was bracing for the onslaught that was about to begin.
Turning for home, Alexas Sunshine swooped past Mister Marvalous but had to contend with Skyline Blue Chip (Braiden Rhoades) and Caviart Val (Drew Monti), who were gobbling up real estate in the homestretch. But the wire came just in the nick of time for Alexas Sunshine as she hit the line in 1:57.2. Skyline Blue Chip had to settle for a tough luck second place a head back with Caviart Val less than a length behind in third. Mister Marvalous finished fourth.
Alexas Sunshine paid $4.48 to win.
The six-year-old Stay Hungry-Alexas Luck mare, who won her round two division also competing from the Fritz stable, is owned by Lucky Label Stable of Grove City, Ohio.
The win was her third in 15 tries this year and 20th career victory, lifting her bankroll to $224,525.
Tomaszewski finished the afternoon with three victories while Fritz had a training double on the 11-race card. Brett MacDonald tied for top driving honours on the day with three wins.
Racing returns on Saturday with a special 12 noon post time for the 12-race program. The featured Open Pace and Trot will take place in the seventh and eighth races, respectively.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)