Seventier capped off a training triple for Samuel Smith winning the featured $15,571 conditioned optional claiming trot at Buffalo Raceway on Friday, July 10.
Seventier ($4.56) continued on his torrid tear as he won for the fourth time in his last five outings since joining the Smith stable off a May 27 claim. The eight-year-old gelding also has a second-place finish in that stretch while driven by Brett MacDonald.
There was hardball being played to the opening quarter-mile as Seventier, favoured Double Class (Shawn Gray) and Munk (David McNeight III) all battled for supremacy. When the dust settled, Double Class got the advantage while Seventier dropped into the pocket and Munk got the parking ticket.
With fractions of :29, 59.2 and 1:29.4 in the books, things got interesting in the lane. Double Class stayed on the point while Munk was able to stay in contention despite getting the outside trip. But Seventier waited patiently for the passing lane and was no match for the others in getting up in time for the victory. He won by three-quarters of a length over Double Class in 1:58.3. Munk was able to hold on for third despite the wicked journey.
Seventier (Chapter Seven-Southwind Cartier) is owned by El Dorado Stables of Ft. Myers, Florida and Michael Torcello of Hamburg, New York.
The win was the sixth in 12 tries this season for Seventier, now a winner of more than $40,000 in 2026 and more than $350,000 lifetime.
Smith won three of the first seven races, with back-to-back victories earlier courtesy of 14-year-old trotter Showmeyourguns ($7.68) and nine-year-old pacer Giveitatry A ($13.44), both driven by Shawn Gray.
Trained and driven by Cory Kreiser, Moved Bythe Spirit ($3.92) was scary good for the third straight week as he romped home once again in the co-featured conditioned optional claiming pace.
Moved Bythe Spirit was a 5-1/2-length victor at Northfield Park on July 24 and then captured his Buffalo Raceway debut on July 3, rolling to an eighth-length score. This time he pinned a four-length loss on Avion Seelster in 1:55 flat.
Those eye-popping wins caught the eye of trainer Taylor Fritz and the Lucky Label Stable, who claimed Moved Bythe Spirit for the $21,429 tag.
In the beginning part of the contest, Moved Bythe Spirit was able to gain control of the front end and put up fractions of :28.3 and :58.2 through the opening half. Down the backstretch the final time, Moved Bythe Spirit let it out a notch and took a 2-3/4-length edge into the final quarter-mile after three-quarters was clocked in 1:26.4. There wasn't any drama down the home stretch as Moved Bythe Spirit opened up a five-length lead and easily held off Avion Seelster (Andy Shetler) and Stonecold Cruiser (Drew Monti), who took second and third place, respectively.
Moved Bythe Spirit (Western Vintage-Lord I Apologize) was owned by Todd's Auto of Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania until the claim.
The victory was the seven-year-old gelding's sixth in 21 starts this year and 30th career success while the lion's share of the purse jumped his seasonal earnings past $40,000 and lifetime bankroll over $350,000.
MacDonald showed the way in the sulky with four victories on the 13-race card while Gray, Monti and McNeight III all doubled. Maria Rice notched two training triumphs.
Racing will return on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a 12-race program to be offered. There's a $556 carryover in the Pick 5, which begins in the second race.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)