In the $9,000 Open Handicap Trot, Redneck Reindeer, a six-year-old gelding by Giant Hit out of the Balanced Image mare Spuds Better, won in 2:00.1 to register his seventh win of year, for owner Betty Tauber
of East Brunswick, New Jersey.
Driven by reinsman Ken “Doc” Holliday, Redneck Reindeer ($7.60), left from Post 6, and settled in fourth, as the favourite in the race Australian Stock (Kevin Cummings) cut the early fractions, :29.1 to the quarter, and 1:00.1 to the half. With a strong backside brush, Redneck Reindeer past the tiring leader and took command of the race hitting the three-quarters, with the lead in 1:30.2. A :29.4 last quarter-mile put the winner one-length ahead of Carolina Raider (Troy Boring) at the finish line. Craiger (Jim McNeight) completed the trifecta.
“He’s awfully sharp right now,” said Holliday. “I really didn’t do much but pull him.”
Trained by Ken’s wife Sherri, the $4,500 share of the winning purse boosted Redneck Reindeer’s season bankroll to $35,805 and $251,889 lifetime.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)