Poets N Pirates ($2.20) collected the 'booty' for the second straight week at Buffalo Raceway as he turned back the late charge from Stars An Stones in the featured $12,329 Class B optional claiming trot on Friday afternoon, May 24. He managed to score the neck victory in 2:00.3 over the fast track.
Starting from the rail after notching a convincing five-length win in the same classification last week, Poets N Pirates (Jim Morrill Jr.) allowed Stars An Stones (Joseph Chindano Jr.) to take the early lead but quickly was able to retake the top. Off fractions of :30.1, 1:01.1 and 1:31.3, Poets N Pirates' main concern down the lane only appeared to be the pocket-sitting Stars An Stones. Those worries came to fruition late as Stars An Stones made a valiant effort approaching the finish line but came up just a neck short. Hellrider (David McNeight III) took the show position.
Owned by Michael Torcello and trained by Samuel Smith the six-year-old gelding Poets N Pirates (Spring Goal-Kandys Lo) earned his third win in 16 outings this season. The victory upped his 2024 earnings to $36,198 and lifetime bankroll to $197,322.
The Spring Up Series continued for the second leg as trotters who are non-winners of $17,123 (mares $20,548) and have at least 10 starts during the year squared off once again. In the first $15,069 division, Heavens Fury ($8.80) was victorious as John Cummings Jr. steered the four-year-old mare to a length win over Gemini Eddie in 1:59.2.
Caviars Yankee ($7.50) turned in an incredible effort in the second division as the six-year-old gelding was parked the entire mile but still managed to beat Retha Babe by a head in 1:59.2. It was the second straight triumph in the Spring Up Series for Caviars Yankee, who was driven by Morrill Jr.
Morrill Jr. steered home four winners on the card while Cummings Jr. doubled. Trainer Andrew Torre had a pair of training victories.
Racing will resume on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with an 11-race program.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)