Big Baller Beane ($8.60) got to the lead early and never looked back in capturing the $21,918 Open Handicap Trot at Buffalo Raceway on Friday afternoon, May 30.
Driven by Kevin Cummings, Big Baller Beane handily beat the heavily favoured Dealin With Dewey (Brett MacDonald) by three lengths in a seasonal best 1:56.3 over the fast track.
With the field scratched down to six with Paya Tuesday being excused, Big Baller Beane wasted no time in setting up shop on the point. Trotting through splits of :29.1, :59. and 1:27.4, Big Baller Beane had a healthy 1-1/2-length edge at the top of the lane and was able to extend that advantage in crossing the finish line. Dealin With Dewey had to go three-wide approaching the final marker in an attempt to catch Big Baller Beane but the margin was much too large in hopes of getting the comeback win. Double Class (David McNeight III) took third place.
Owned by Kathy Schoeffel, James Reuther and Roger Romesser, Big Baller Beane (Father Patrick-Global Desire) is trained by Angelo Nappo. The five-year-old gelding earned his third win of the season in 16 starts and the score jumped his 2025 earnings to $61,219. A 14-time winner from 80 career starts, he is approaching the $250,000 mark in lifetime earnings.
In the $19,863 conditioned pace for the fillies and mares, Canadian-campaigned Firstofanera ($5.50) arrived at Buffalo Raceway off a sparkling 3-1/2-length in 1:54 at Flamboro Downs and that effort carried across the border as she wired the field in 1:55.2. Firstofanera, driven by Brett MacDonald for his father Ron, beat a pesky McVera (Jim Morrill Jr.) by a neck while Sweet Gadgets (Steven Hudon) was third.
Just like in her last start at Flamboro, Firstofanera blasted off from the five-hole and immediately took control of the front end. After fractions of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:26.4, Firstofanera had only to deal with the pocket-sitting McVera down the stretch. But the threat was mild at best as Firstofanera stayed strong and held back the never say die McVera.
Owned by her driver along with Hartel Maintenance Inc. and Shen Guo, the five-year-old JK Endofanera-Do Me First mare now has four wins in 21 attempts on the year, upping her seasonal bankroll to $30,812 and lifetime earnings to nearly $140,000. The victory was her 16th in 80 career starts.
Racing will continue on Saturday afternoon with a 13-race program to be presented.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)