After three second-place finishes in his last four starts in Buffalo Raceway's Open Handicap Trot, Big Baller Beane ($9.40) got the job done at last on Friday afternoon, May 16 with a three-quarter length victory over El Toro Loco in a season's best 1:57.3 over the fast track.
With a $22,222 purse on the line, El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) rocketed off the starting gate from the six spot and showed the way with fractions of :28.4, :58.2 and 1:28.2. The race began in earnest at the final panel as El Toro Loco was surrounded by pocket-sitting Dougadougadew (Kyle Cummings) on the inside and first-over Big Baller Beane (Shawn McDonough) on the outside. The threesome paced together through the lane, but approaching the finish line, Big Baller Beane was able to grab the lead away from El Toro Loco while Dougadougadew had to settle for a tough luck third.
Owned by Kathy Schoeffel, Jim Reuther and Roger Romesser, the five-year-old gelded Big Baller Beane (Father Patrick-Global Desire) is trained by Angelo Nappo. The victory was his second in 14 attempts on the campaign and his 13th lifetime, lifting his bankroll to $234,984.
In the sub-featured $20,139 conditioned pace for the fillies and mares, Oaxacan Dream N (David McNeight III) got a 'dream journey' and easily disposed of her four rivals in taking the 1-3/4-length win over Scenic Adventure in a seasonal best of 1:55.3. The nine-year-old Big Jim-Verde Lima mare is conditioned by Maria Rice and owned by Vogel & Wags Nags. Rightfully Mine (Kyle Swift) took the show position.
Four Finger Floyd (James McNeight Jr.) threw a monkey wrench into the fourth race results as he posted a $68 victory. The major upset produced an 8-5 exacta of $907, the 8-5-all trifecta returned $4,685 while the 8-5-6-all superfecta paid $15,093.50. The stunner also helped in producing a carryover of $1,046 in the Pick 5 for Saturday starting in the second race.
McNeight III completed the afternoon with three wins with Kyle Cummings and McNeight Jr. getting two apiece. Thomas Mays had a training hat trick.
Racing will resume on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. with a 12-race card set to go postward.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)