In the $9,000 Open Trot, Jack Sparrow, a six-year old chestnut gelding by Humorous Harry out of the Overcomer mare Marie Adonno, made it back to the winner’s circle after a long layoff due foot problems, and won in 1:59.1 for owner Michael Calimeri of Falconer, New York
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Driven by trainer/driver Jim McNeight, Jack Sparrow ($5.40), settled in fourth in the field of seven as Australian Stock (Kevin Cummings) set the early fractions, :29.1 and :59.1. Getting good cover on the outside, Jack Sparrow and McNeight were in perfect position to battle newcomer Pathway Dot Com (John Cummings, Jr.) through the lane to the finish line. Jack Sparrow prevailed by a neck with Sir Prize Hall (Jack Flanigen) coming in third.
“He’s been off with a quarter crack and it’s been a long time off,” said McNeight. “He felt real strong like his old self, and I couldn’t be happier.”
The $4,500 share of the winning purse boosted Jack Sparrow’s season bankroll to $31,680 and $194,792 lifetime.
In the $9,000 F&M Open Pace, Spacie Jessie, a six-year-old Space Shuttle mare out of the Unique Concept mare Chip O The Ram, won in 1:57.3 for owner/driver James M. Dunn of Orchard Park.
It was the seventh win of the season for Spacie Jessie ($35.20), who went postward as the longest shot in the field of seven. The early fractions were set by eventual third place finisher Party News (Ray Fisher, Jr.) who hit the quarter in :29.1, and the half in 1:00.1. It was a long grind on the outside, but the gutsy “Jessie” covered the last quarter-mile in :28.2 to beat Memphis Glow (Jimmy Whishman) by two lengths.
“She was at Tioga last week, and it put some speed in her,” said Dunn. “She raced great considering the slow early fractions.”
Trained by Ron Beback, Jr., the $4,500 share of the winning purse put Spacie Jessie’s 2009 bankroll at $40,145 and $143,774 lifetime.
(Buffalo Raceway)