It was a photo finish but Bet On Blake ($6.90) showed he was worthy of a wager as he nipped Boston Delight by a head in 1:56.4 in the $12,329 Class B Pace at Buffalo Raceway on Friday afternoon, June 28.
Bet On Blake (Denny Bucceri) stalked behind the tempo-setting Boston Delight (Joseph Chindano Jr.) through fractions of :29, :58.3 and 1:28.3 over the fast track. Down the stretch, Bet On Blake dipped into the passing lane and just squeaked past Boston Delight as the finish was determined by a photo. Confidence Man (David McNeight III) took the show position.
Owned by Michael Torcello and trained by Samuel Smith, the six-year-old gelded Bet On Blake (Betterthancheddar-Lady Lynnly) earned his fifth victory in 20 appearances on the season, with the lion's share of the purse pushing his 2024 earnings to $37,552 and lifetime bankroll over the $200,000 mark.
Also campaigned by Torcello and Smith, Blogmaster was the 'master' in the first of two Class B trots as he used a first-over journey and pulled off the $25.60 shocker by defeating Ricky B Sharp by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:59.4.
SS Tys Aflyin (Joseph Chindano Jr.) set the splits with :29, :58.3 and 1:28.3 times. With Hellrider (David McNeight III) and favourite Jacked (Kyle Swift) following SS Tys A Flyin along in second and third, that trio wouldn't hit the ticket. Blogmaster (Drew Monti) was able to march to the lead from his early position in fifth and never looked back while Ricky B Sharp (Michael Baumeister) rallied for second-place honours and Jumpinthejailhouse (John Cummings Jr.) closed for third.
Blogmaster made his third trip to the winner's circle through 19 seasonal starts. The six-year-old Glidemaster-JJs Jordyn gelding now has $38,834 earned on the campaign and $166,686 in his career.
In the second Class B division for the sidewinders, All About Thechase won the battle of attrition and topped The Gogester by a length in 2:00.
The second bracket had Ruff Tough Tested (James McNeight Jr.) and Come Home For Life (Dan Yetman) each jumping off stride, which allowed Classic Sunny (John Cummings Jr.) to establish the lead from the seven post. With fractions of :29.3, 1:00 and 1:29.4 on the board, Classic Sunny showed the way but All About Thechase (Mike Caprio) was in perfect striking range down the stretch. Going widest off all in the lane, All About Thechase was able to turn back the late challenge from The Gogester (Michael Baumeister) in the passing lane while Classic Sunny held on for third place.
Owned by the Caprio Stables LLC and conditioned by Alana Caprio, All About Thechase (Conway Hall-Highway Cash) collected his first victory in six tries on the campaign. The win took the eight-year-old gelding's 2024 earnings to $9,247 and lifetime bankroll to $142,020.
Kyle Swift picked up a driving triple on the matinee card with Kyle Cummings picking up two. Ryan Swift had three training victories while Kris Rickart and Smith each had a pair.
Racing will return on Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m., with a 13-race card to be presented.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)