Pickup Man Hanover scored his first career victory and also set a new track record along the way in his $33,600 division of the New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday evening (June 30).
Covering the mile in 1:56.1, Pickup Man Hanover (Billy Dobson) eclipsed the long standing divisional mark of 1:56.3 established by Roadside Delight in July 2010.
Other Sire Stakes winners included Hurrikane Chuck (Jim Morrill Jr.), who toured the Buffalo Raceway half-mile oval in 1:57, and JD (Mark MacDonald) posted a mild $10.20 upset with a 1:56 gate-to-wire score.
Pickup Man Hanover sat in third until just after the opening panel and breezed past El Pistolero, hitting the half in :59.4 over a fast track. After several breakers scattered the field, Pickup Man Hanover was more than able to hold off a mild bid from El Pistolero (Greg Merton) in the stretch. Jitterbug Flip (Fern Paquet Jr.) finished fifth, but was moved up to third via a pair of disqualifications.
"He was good in the turns," said Dobson. "I was surprised we got a track record."
Owned by Dennis and Simone Noud and trained by Monica Krist, Pickup Man Hanover (Huntsville-Pilgrims Witchie) increased his bankroll to $25,512.
The heavily favoured Hurrikane Chuck ($3.10) didn't disappoint in his bracket as he recorded a neck victory over KJ Hunter (Matt Kakaley) while Greg The Leg (Mark MacDonald) was third.
A big brush approaching the first half sent Hurrikane Chuck to the lead, but he wasn't out of the woods. Heading for home, KJ Hunter (Matt Kakaley) and Greg The Leg (MacDonald) made valiant efforts, but Hurrikane Chuck had just enough to secure the win.
Morrill said, "I used him (Hurrikane Chuck) twice in the race, and he gave me 150 per cent."
Hurrikane Chuck (Huntsville-All The Buzz), trained by John McDermott, has now earned $18,952 in his two career outings.
JD pulled a minor surprise by wiring the field in his leg as the heavy chalk, Blue Collar Man, broke stride. Pleaseletmeknow (Kakaley) took second with Howulikemenow Ray (David McNeight III) finished in third.
MacDonald stated after the race, "I was careful with him on the turns. He's a big horse so I kind of let him drift out to the 1-1/2-path, then I'd straighten him out."
Trained by Ray Schnittker, JD (So Surreal-Park N Orchard) put $16,750 in his bank account with the triumph.
Power Blu ($8.20) took a $15,000 Excelsior A bracket with a 1-1/2-length nod over Lanjo Lee, while Gussys Trump Card ($3.70) scored a neck victory over Jovian in 1:58.4 in the second division.
Mr Deal ($5.10) captured the lone $6,800 Excelsior B event with a solid 4-1/4-length romp over Stewardoftheland in 1:58.4.
Morrill finished the evening with four victories and MacDonald had a driving triple.
Racing will continue on Friday evening (July 2) at 5 p.m. with nine races on the docket. For more information, including the latest news, race replays, entries and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.
(Buffalo Raceway)