Protect Blue Chip ($3.80) was determined to set the fractions, and that strategy worked out nicely as she posted victory in Buffalo Raceway's $10,900 Class A-Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares on Wednesday evening (June 2).
Starting on the outside in the short field of five, Protect Blue Chip (Travis Henry) had to battle a bit with Yankee Secret before stomping to the top in a moderate :29.1 first quarter over the fast track. From there, Protect Blue Chip rolled to panels of :59.1 and 1:28.4 and was in no danger of losing the lead in the stretch, taking a three-quarter-length lead over Yankee Secret. Lady Dudette (Kyle Cummings) held on for the show position.
Co-owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphia Bloodstock, Protect Blue Chip is conditioned by Maria Rice. The win moved the six-year-old American Ideal mare's bankroll to $23,050 on the campaign and $152,455 lifetime.
Whos Got The Move ($10.20) used a perfectly-timed move executed by driver Ray Fisher Jr. to take the sub-featured $8,600 Class B Pace for fillies and mares in a seasonal best 1:55.3, easily disposing of She Can Party (David McNeight III) by 2-1/4 lengths while Good Lookin Woman (Drew Monti) finished in third.
After sitting third behind a tussle between Robintheatm (Jim Morrill Jr.) and the parked Wonderful World (Henry) through splits of :28.2, :56.4 and 1:26.2, Fisher pulled Whos Got The Move out just in the nick of time past the final quarter pole and never looked back.
It was the second win in 15 attempts this season for the seven-year-old Shadyshark Hanover mare, whom trainer Lynn Fisher co-owns with Richard Fisher. The victory improved her 2021 earnings to $21.752 and $165,057 in her career.
Monti and McNeight led all drivers with two wins apiece.
The first Friday night (June 4) card of the season takes place this week with a nine-race program slated for 5 p.m.
For more information, including the latest news, race replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.
(Buffalo Raceway)