The record book hasn't been safe recently at Buffalo Raceway and Ontario-owned Winkys Pride sure is helping in re-writing it.
For the second time in three weeks, Winkys Pride ($3.90) set a new standard in winning the $10,500 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (June 24), going the mile in 1:57. The time broke the all-aged mares trotting record and aged (5+) mare mark of 1:57.2 established by her on June 10.
It was the ninth time in 2015 that a track record has either been tied or broken at the lightning-fast Hamburg half-mile oval located at the Erie County Fairgrounds.
Driver Drew Monti was all smiles in the winner's circle with Winkys Pride after the victory, saying "Wow, another track record, but it was tougher than I expected."
Being assigned the six post, Winkys Pride went right to the top and posted splits of :29, :58.3 and 1:28.1. But it was the hard-charging Serious George (Shawn Gray) that made Winkys Pride work hard late and hold on for the half-length win. Studio City (Ron Beback Jr.) finished in third.
Owned and trained by Robert Hummel of Puslinch, Ont., Winkys Pride (Amigo Hall-Winkys Smile) is a seven-year-old mare who now has four victories in 2015, earning $22,427 along the way. She has made over $200,000 lifetime.
In the $9,500 Open II Pace for the fillies and mares, Kisses N Kicks ($7.70) roared down the stretch and nipped the pacesetting Infrontigo Hanover by a nose in 1:56.4.
With Infrontigo Hanover putting up fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:27.4, she looked home free until Kisses N Kicks (David McNeight III) arrived on the scene at the top of the stretch. Using a 28.3 last panel, Kisses N Kicks got up in the shadow of the wire to pin the disappointing setback on Infrontigo Hanover (Jim McNeight). Country Delight (Jack Flanigen) took the show spot.
Owned by Courtney McNeight and trained by McNeight III, the seven-year-old mare earned her seventh win in 21 starts this year. Kisses N Kicks (Life Sign-Kissing Rain) now has bankrolled $37,553 this season and $171,640 lifetime.
Kevin Cummings finished the night with three victories while David McNeight III and Jim McNeight doubled.
Racing will continue on Friday night with a 10-race program scheduled to go to the post at 6:35 p.m.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)