Beddanburg remained razor sharp on Friday, May 17 as the four-year-old gelding was victorious for the fourth time in his last five starts with a half length win over Sportsmanship in Buffalo Raceway's co-featured $12,328 pace.
In the highlighted $12,328 trot, after a narrow three-quarter-length loss last week, Poets N Pirates made sure he didn't suffer the same heartbreak again as he romped to an easy five-length decision over Lunar Credit in 1:59.1.
Beddanburg, who has been in the money 11 out of 13 attempts this season, was overlooked on the betting board despite his gaudy statistics as he returned a healthy $19.60 for the triumph.
The race set up perfectly for Beddanburg (Kyle Swift). Lagging behind in sixth, Seafarer was first over and brought along Beddanburg for the ride. With Ys Lotus setting the fractions of :28.3, :57.1 and 1:26.1, it was time for the closers to take over.
As Ys Lotus was calling it a day at the top of the lane, Beddanburg swung to the outside and easily gained the lead. But things weren't done yet as a hard-charging Sportsmanship (Joseph Chindano Jr.) came flying late but just missed in shocking Beddanburg. My Money Honey (Kyle Cummings) took the show position.
Owned by David Del Pozzo and conditioned by Christopher Petrelli, Beddanburg (Artspeak-Seaside Rory) notched his sixth win of the season in 13 tries. The win increased his bankroll to $38,043 on the campaign and $63,706 lifetime.
Poets N Pirates (Kevin Cummings) was sitting fourth as a battle between Cartier Zette, Crazy Brother Jim and Hellrider was on. When things settled down, Cartier Zette got the edge and posted fractions of :28.2, :57.3 and 1:29. But the front three were about to wave the white flag and were in retreat mode.
Passing the three-quarter marker, Poets N Pirates took command and despite drifting out down the lane, his lead was large enough that it made little difference in the end. Lunar Credit (James McNeight Jr.) took the second-place spot with Bridge Works (Monti) rallied for third.
Owned by Michael Torcello and trained by Samuel Smith, six-year-old Poets N Pirates (Spring Goal-Kandys LC) picked up his second victory in 15 starts this year. The score moved his 2024 earnings to $30,035 and $191,159 in his career.
There were two legs in the Spring Up Series for trotters who are non winners of $17,123 (mares $20,548) in 2024 and have at least 10 starts.
Caviars Yankee ($4.30) took the first division as Dan Yetman guided him to a two-length victory over Daisys Duchess in 2:00.4. Jumpinthejailhouse ($2.50) buried the field in the second race as John Cummings Jr. steered him to a five-length victory in 2:00.3. They toppled Retha Babe and Finnick Odair who finished in a dead heat for second.
Racing will resume on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with a 13-race program.
(Buffalo Raceway)