Stranger Things ($7.70) posted a seasonal best clocking of 1:53.3 and he needed every bit of that time to hold off a hard charging Itsallaboutfaith N in Buffalo Raceway's $21,918 Open Pace on Saturday, June 14.
There was a battle for the lead early as Egomania (David McNeight III), Admiral Hanover (Denny Bucceri), and the favoured John The Baptist (Jim Morrill Jr.) all duked it out for control. Just past the opening panel in a quick :27.2 over that fast track, John The Baptist took the top and rolled through the half in :56.1. But Stranger Things (Kevin Cummings) started his march first-over at that point, which eventually proved to be the winning move.
Midway down the backstretch the final time, Stranger Things powered his way to the lead with Itsallaboutfaith N (Kyle Swift) dropping into the pocket. Reaching the three-quarter pole in 1:24.3, Stranger Things enjoyed a 1-1/4 length margin at the top of the lane. Itsallaboutfaith N put in a wicked rally in deep-stretch but came up a head short in the photo as Stranger Things held on for the victory. Annapolis Hanover (Kyle Cummings) put in a strong effort but had to settle for third.
Co-owned by Kathy Schoeffel, James Reuther, and Roger Romesser, the nine-year-old gelding Stranger Things (Western Terror-Southwind Prairie) is trained by Angelo Nappo. The win pushed his seasonal bankroll to $88,494 and to $480,119 in his career.
Samuel Smith led all trainers on the card with three wins. His Panettone Hanover ($2.90) wired the field in the fifth race, Handsoffmytitos ($3.60) made it a double in the 10th race, and Sportskeeper ($2.40) won the 11th to complete the triple. Trainers Walter Whelan and Nappo each recorded two wins.
Morrill had four driving wins on the card with Drew Monti, Michael Whelan, and Kevin Cummings each getting doubles.
There were some bombs on the Saturday card. Bettors Victory opened the program with a $47.40 score. That was just the beginning as two big prices were part of the Pick 5 sequence. Counter Offer pulled a $33.20 stunner, which was followed by Silverhill Blaze's $95.50 shocker. As a result, there's a $2,602 carryover in the Pick 5 pool which begins in the second race on Wednesday.
Action will return on Wednesday, June 18 at 2:30 p.m. with a 13-race program slated. The New York Sire Stakes will be back as nine two-year-old filly pacers put their noses to the gate for the first time in their careers with $112,100 USD on the line. There's also a $20,000 USD Excelsior Series event.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)