After a two-race drought, Ugly Betty returned to her winning ways by posting an easy three and a half length victory over Vla Faire in the $9,500 Winners Over conditioned pace for the fillies and mares at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (May 6).
Battling the boys one week and being straddled with a bad post in her next start, Ugly Betty was primed for a big effort against the five other mares. She didn't disappoint.
Sitting sixth and last, Ugly Betty (David McNeight III) got into gear early and was pressing as the field reached the half in :58.2. From there, Ugly Betty ($4.40) remained on the outside and slowly pulled away from the pack, notching a 1:56 final time over the fast track. Vla Faire (Drew Monti) placed second while A Cameo In Life (Kevin Cummings) took third.
Ugly Betty (Camluck-Red Road Rage) is owned by breeder Margaret Payne and Jennifer Falcone. She provided Rex Clabaugh with his first career training victory. The seven-year-old mare has six wins in 14 appearances this season, winning $33,189 and pushing her lifetime earnings to $206,461.
In the $7,900 Open II pace for the ladies, Infrontigo Hanover (Jim McNeight) managed to grind out a neck victory over the pacesetting Kisses N Kicks (McNeight III) in 1:56.3.
After watching Kisses N Kicks put up fractions of :29, :59 and 1:28.3 from third-place, Infrontigo Hanover ($8.70) was the first to make a move in the field of six, tipping out at the three-quarter marker. She eventually wore down Kisses N Kicks midway down the lane to post the victory. Real Joy (Kevin Cummings) took the show position.
Owned by the Summer Wind Stable of New York and trainer Bob Gruber III, Infrontigo Hanover (Western Hanover-Ifyoucouldcwhati C) earned her second straight victory. Wednesday's win moved the seven-year-old mare's bankroll to $19,915 in 2015 and $163,536 lifetime.
Initial Strike got his 'initial' win for his new owners Mike Ohol Jr. and Steven Gross after posting a hard fought, half-length victory over Studio City in the $7,900 Open III trot in 2:00.1. The win was also the fifth consecutive for Initial Strike.
Hunter Valley, Leave York Mark and Fiorentina all tussled to the opening panel in a quick :28.4. The trio, however, were nowhere to be found in the end as the race set up perfectly for the closers.
Initial Strike ($7.30) was in the perfect spot in the drive for the wire. Driver Drew Monti went three-wide around the final turn with Initial Strike and had plenty of horsepower to smartly trot away for the decision. Studio City (Ron Beback Jr.) finished in second and September Hall (Shawn McDonough) took the show spot.
Trained by Courtney Ohol, the 10-year-old Initial Strike (Striking Sahbra-Donaver) now has registered five victories in 14 starts this season, earning $22,496 this year and $264,631 in his career.
McNeight III finished the evening with a driving triple.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)