It's been quite a streak for Justgottogetthere in 2015 at Buffalo Raceway and the amazing journey continued on a crisp Wednesday night (May 20).
For the seventh time in 12 starts, Justgottogetthere landed in the winner's circle after hanging on for a nose victory over the fast-closing BZ Glide in the $9,500 Winners Over Trot. Besides the seven wins, Justgottogetthere has finished in second-place four times as well this season.
After being assigned the seven post, driver Jim McNeight and Justgottogetthere had to battle with Talladega Hanover to get to the top. Posting splits of :28.4, :59.4 and 1:29.4, there were several in perfect position ready to pick off Justgottogetthere in the stretch.
Northern Bullet was first over heading into the stretch with BZ Glide following his live cover in hopes of catching the front-stepping Justgottogetthere. Northern Bullet was the initial threat, but tailed off to finish third for Jack Flanigen.
Next up was BZ Glide. In his first pari-mutel start of the season, BZ Glide went three-wide in the lane and had plenty of trot. But, unfortunately, he ran out of real estate, finishing a nostril behind the big-hearted Justgottogethere ($5.30).
Owned by Antonietta Landi and the North Creek Racing Stable LLC, Justgottogetthere (Valley Victor-Maras Theme) tripped the timer in 1:59.1 over the fast track in registering the win. The decision upped the six-year-old gelding's earnings to $40,437 in 2015 and $178,919 lifetime. Jerry Nugent Jr. handled the training duties.
In the co-featured $9,500 Open II/optional claimer for the fillies and mares, Eyemajet was on engine in the stretch to take a narrow head win over Its De Lovely in 1:58.
The favoured A Cameo In Life cut the fractions of :29.4, :59.4 and 1:29.2, but Eyemajet, trained and driven by Shawn Gray, stalked the pace the final half-mile. In the stretch, A Cameo In Life threw in the towel while Eyemajet ($12.60) roared by the pacesetter.
The triumph didn't come easy as Eyemajet had to hold off the late charge by Its De Lovely (David McNeight III). Shes A Maniac (Jim McNeight) took the show spot.
The six-year-old mare Eyemajet (Jeremes Jet-Aahptometrist) now has three victories in 16 tries in 2015, earning $23,326 and upping her career bankroll to $214,177.
In the seventh race, Surfers Paradise pulled a shocker with a $222.50 win for driver Mike Caprio.
Racing will resume on Friday night at Buffalo Raceway with a 13-race program set for 6:35 p.m.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)