Hot Patootie ($4.60) was sure a stubborn mare in the home stretch at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (May 24) and it paid off with a narrow nose victory over Classy Lane Rose in the $10,000 Open Pace for the ladies.
The win was the third straight for Hot Patootie (Larry Stalbaum), who covered the mile in 1:55.4 over the fast track.
Starting from the six post, it took Hot Patootie a quarter-mile to reach the top in :27.4. She was helped by the pocket-sitting Voltina, who blew the far turn the first time and scattered the field.
With a half of :56, Hot Patootie opened up a three length edge to the three-quarter marker but looked like she was going to drop anchor in the lane as Classy Lane Rose (Drew Monti) cut into the margin.
But Stalbaum kept the Hot Patootie afloat in the stretch and had just enough to hang on for the victory over a tough luck Classy Lane Rose. Squeeze This (Ron Beback Jr.) took the show position.
Owned by David Crumb and trained by Joe Skowyra, the five-year-old Hot Patootie (Hot Pans-Getting Better) now has six wins in 17 tries in 2017. The victory upped her seasonal bankroll to $22,578 and lifetime earnings to $85,767.
Jim Morrill Jr. had the hot hand in the sulky with four wins while Monti had a triple and Stalbaum added a double.
Racing will continue on Friday night at 5 p.m. with a 10-race card on tap.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)