Mcnatural L got the early jump on the field in Buffalo Raceway's $14,247 Class A Pace for fillies and mares on Wednesday afternoon (May 29) and never looked back in defeating Hurrikane Msrodine by a diminishing neck in 1:55.4 over the fast track.
Starting from the four post, Mcnatural L ($5) was able to grab the lead with ease. Guiding the pack through panels of :29.1, :58.1 and 1:26.3, Mcnatural L, Hurrikane Msrodine and Rightfully Mine broke away from the field with a quarter mile to go.
Going around the final turn, Mcnatural L (David McNeight III) enjoyed the lead and only had to deal with Hurrikane Msrodine (Jim Morrill Jr.) down the lane as Rightfully Mine (Billy Davis Jr.) dropped out of contention. Things got a little dicey approaching the line as Hurrikane Msrodine made a final thrust toward the lead but Mcnatural L held off that final burst.
Owned by the El Dorado Stables and trained by David McNeight Jr., six-year-old Mcnatural L (McArdle-Natural Paradise) earned his third win in 14 appearances this year. The victory pushed her seasonal earnings to $39,271 and career bankroll to $155,801.
In the second round of action in the Spring Up Series for non-winners of $8,000 USD ($10,000 USD for fillies and mares) in 10 or more starts before May 11, Golden Leader (Morrill) impressively buried the field in 1:56.1. Trained by Courtney Wright, the seven-year-old Big Jim mare cruised to a 4-1/4-length decision over Murrow Boy and returned $2.60 for the score.
In the second division, Good Lookin Woman (Kyle Swift) pulled off her second straight upset with a stunning rally to notch the $25.40 victory. Trained by Anthony Cummings, the nine-year-old McArdle mare beat longshot Union Station by a length in 1:57.2.
Morrill finished the afternoon with a driving triple with Drew Monti getting two victories. Sam Smith posted a pair of training victories.
Racing at Buffalo Raceway is set to resume on Friday, May 31 at 2:30 p.m. with 11 races scheduled. There's a $1,232 carryover in the Pick 5, which begins in the second race.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)