No respect. That's what Western Alumni has to be feeling the past two weeks in the $10,500 Open Pace at Buffalo Raceway. While his feelings may be hurt, the victories keep on coming.
For the second consecutive week, Western Alumni has proved the betting public wrong, this time registering a one and a half length win over Salazar in 1:54.3 on Saturday night (May 10).
Last Saturday, Western Alumni went gate-to-wire to win and return $10. This time, it was a first over brush that sent the six-year-old gelding to a $14.20 victory.
Western Alumni was first over at the three-quarter marker and took over the lead midway around the final turn. Salazar (Ron Beback Jr.), who got shuffled in traffic just past the half, charged late in the lane to finish second as Western Alumni had more than enough in the tank to spring the upset once again. Sand Savage (Drew Monti) took the third-place position.
The win was the second in 11 tries in 2014 for Western Alumni (Western Hanover-Countryview Miss). He is owned by North Creek Racing LLC and is trained by Jerry Nugent Jr. The win increased his earnings to $20,520 this season and $162,294 lifetime.
Jim McNeight drove Western Alumni to the victory. It started a streak of four straight wins for McNeight on the card.
While McNeight enjoyed a nice stretch, driver Shawn McDonough was even better as he finished the night with five winners.
Racing returns to Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night with a 13-race program set to begin at 5 p.m.
(Buffalo Raceway)