It was a rare glimpse of an inside starting post for Credit List ($6) on a glorious Friday afternoon (May 26) at Buffalo Raceway and he took full advantage of the situation to wire the field in the $15,500 Open Trot. He turned back the last ditch effort from Deswanslittlelorrie to take the neck score in 1:59.2 over the fast track.
Since April 5, Credit List has been strapped with the five-hole or worse but he still managed to produce a pair of victories along the way. With a new view from the starting gate at last, driver Jim Morrill Jr. and Credit List weren't about to squander this golden opportunity.
It took little time for Credit List to set the tempo. Cruising off the starting gate, Credit List used fractions of :30, 1:00.1 and 1:30.1 to set up the final panel of the event. With things seemingly under control through the stretch, Deswanslittlelorrie made things a bit tense for Credit List as she came screaming down the lightning lane but came up a neck short behind. Kandy Sweet (Keith Kash Jr.) finished in third.
Owned by Room4040 LLC Stables and trained by Kevin Reynolds Jr., eight-year-old Credit List (Credit Winner-Ashlees Dream) made his sixth trip to the winner's circle in 2023 from 16 outings. The victory jumped his bankroll to $56,157 on the season and $336,482 lifetime.
In a $11,500 trot, Batting Stats ($11) improved his 'statistics' on the campaign with a 2-1/4 length victory over Cr Blazin Beauty in a seasonal best of 1:57.2. The victory gave Morrill Jr. a sweep of the featured trotting events and it was one of three on the program for Buffalo Raceway's leading driver.
After briefly relinquishing the early lead to CR Blazin Beauty, Morrill Jr. put Batting Stats back on the engine and notched respectable fractions of :28.2, :58.4 and 1:28.1.
Through the stretch, CR Blazin Beauty (Kevin Cummings) and Mugshots Bro (Joseph Chindano Jr.) all had legitimate chances of rallying, but Batting Stats had things well under control and the result was never in doubt. CR Blazin Beauty had to settle for second-place honours and Mugshots Bro rounded out the top three.
Owned by Michael Ohol Jr. and trained by Michael Ohol, six-year-old Batting Stats (Encore Encore-Batting Lashes) earned his fourth win of the season from 17 starts. The victory upped his earnings to $27,756 on the year and $273,699 lifetime.
Kevin Cummings had a driving triple with Kyle Cummings and James McNeight Jr. each getting doubles.
Live harness racing will resume on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with a 12-race card scheduled. There's a $679 carryover in the Pick 5, which begins in the second race.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)