Mugshots Bro made it five straight victories, including three in a row in Buffalo Raceway's $15,000 Open Trot, on Friday afternoon (June 10) by slapping another tough-luck loss on CR Blazin Beauty in 1:57.1.
In what has been a recurring scenario between the two trotters, Mugshots Bro, driven by Jim Morrill Jr., has gotten the upper hand three straight times on CR Blazin Beauty, who has had to settle for second-place on each occurrence.
CR Blazin Beauty notched splits of :28.3, :58.1 and 1:27.3, but those reasonable fractions still weren't enough to hold off Mugshots Bro as he roared past late and captured the neck decision. Simonthediamond took the show position.
Co-owned by Herman Niedhammer and Herman Niedhammer Jr. and trained by Shawn McDonough, the 10-year-old gelded Mugshots Bro (Jailhouse Jesse-Photo Emmy) earned his fifth victory in six attempts this year. The win jacked up his 2022 earnings to $33,665 and lifetime bankroll to $315,050. Mugshots Bro paid $3.20 to win.
In the $11,300 Open II Trot, it was literally 'ladies first' as the lone mare in the race Mystical Sarabi was determined to set the fractions, and it worked out perfectly with a 1-1/2-length victory over Call My Broker in 1:59.1.
Off the gate, Mystical Sarabi fired to the lead from the pylons but had company on the outside as Schnickel Fritz and Franks Watching made attempts to grab the top. But with those efforts rebuffed, Mystical Sarabi managed to post splits of :29.3, :59.3 and 1:29.3.
In the stretch, Mystical Sarabi had no intention of giving up her lead as Schnickel Fritz and Franks Watching were forced to wave their white flags. Call My Broker and Sanchez Rocks closed smartly near the wire and finished in second and third, respectively.
Owned by Tronolone Racing and trained by Frank Mays, Mystical Sarabi (Swan For All-Foxy In Diamonds) earned her second win of the season in 11 starts. The five-year-old mare has now earned $22,852 on the campaign and $63,233 lifetime. Dan Yetman drove the $5.40 winner.
Morrill Jr. finished with a driving triple on the program with Monti posting a double. McDonough had three training victories.
Racing will resume on Saturday afternoon (June 11) with a nine-race card set to kickoff at 1:30 p.m. (EDT).
Buffalo Raceway announced that starting with the Wednesday card on June 15, there will be a 10 per cent increase in purses.
Also for the next two weeks, Buffalo Raceway will have programs on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons with post time each day at 1:30 p.m. The regular Wednesday, Friday and Saturday schedule will resume on Wednesday, June 28.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)