Hellrider ($4.10) got a trip from heaven in Buffalo Raceway's co-featured $12,329 Class B Trot on Friday afternoon, July 12 as he had no issues in cruising to a length victory over Caviars Yankee in 1:59.
In the opener, Hellrider (David McNeight III) watched the front-stepping SS Tys Aflyin (Mike Baumeister) jump out to an early lead. After a couple of strides, Hellrider tipped out and fired right back to the top and collected fractions of :29.4, 1:00.1 and 1:29.4. Turning for the wire, Hellrider enjoyed the advantage and only had to deal with a mild rush at the end from Caviars Yankee (Jim Morrill Jr.), but easily notched the win by three-quarters of a length. Pennant Seelster (James McNeight Jr.) took the show position.
Co-owned by Caprio Stable LLC and Maryanne Arena, the seven-year-old son of Yankee Glide-My Shooting Star is trained by Alana Caprio. The victory, his third of the campaign from 13 starts, increased his 2024 bankroll to $25,392 and lifetime earnings to $95,368.
In the other Class B trotting event, the inside post position and another drop in class was the perfect remedy for the heavily favoured Gracious Triumph ($2.10) as the mare beat the boys, holding off BJs Smitty by a length in 1:57.2.
Gracious Triumph, after two consecutive starts from the eight post in the Open II and Class A levels, finally got some class and post relief and took full advantage of it. Starting from the inside, Gracious Triumph (Morrill Jr.) used her pylon position and stepped off fractions of :29, :58.3 and 1:27.4. Down the homestretch, BJs Smitty (Kevin Cummings) tried to cut into her advantage, but just couldn't get any closer than a length. Ricky B Sharp (Mike Baumeister) took the show position.
The win was the sixth in 20 outings for the five-year-old Gracious Triumph (Triumphant Caviar-Sweet Touch), who is trained by Shawn McDonough and owned by Harry Wortzman. The victory improved her 2024 earnings to $49,775 and career bankroll to $233,651.
Born A Rebel ($4) took the Class B pace as he battled his way to the front end early and then easily crushed Bold Bet by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:55.4.
Born A Rebel (McNeight Jr.) was on a mission right off the bat as he was able to win a three-way scrum with Umberto (McNeight III) and Leave And Roll (Joseph Chindano Jr.). Reaching the lead approaching the opening panel, Born A Rebel put up splits of :29, :58 and 1:27.2. Going down the lane, Born A Rebel was in overdrive as Bold Bet (Drew Monti) and Umberto could only watch and had to settle for second and third place.
Owned by David Del Pozzo and trained by Christopher Petrelli, the five-year-old gelded Born A Rebel (Betterthancheddar-Outlawed Beauty) has now been victorious three times in eight starts on the year. The win jumped his seasonal earnings to $19,081 and lifetime stash to $113,581.
Racing continues on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with 12 races slated.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)