Goosebump Hanover had to battle to get to the lead but that was the only battle she faced the rest of the way in going wire-to-wire in 2:01.4 over the fast track to highlight the action in the New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old filly trotters at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (July 15).
It was the fastest of four divisions worth over $27,000 each but well off the track record of 2:00.2 set by Munis Bluechip back in 2009.
Go Mary Go (2:02.1) just kept right on going and never looked back to take her division while Dolly Drama PV (2:03.2) and Dizzy Broad (2:05.3) also found their way to the winner's circle on a picture perfect evening.
After Goosebump Hanover ($8.20) was challenged to the lead by Swing Royalty, it was all fresh air after that as she never was threatened to the finish line. Swinging Royalty (Chris Lems) was one and a half lengths behind at the wire with Threehundredlindys (Jim Morrill Jr.) taking the show spot.
"She was a little touchy at first," Buffalo Raceway's leading driver Kevin Cummings said of Goosebump Hanover's trip. "She settled in good after that but I had to ask her a little in the stretch. She was pretty much in hand at the finish."
Trained by Ron Burke and owned by the Burke Racing Stable, J And T Silva Stables, Crawford Farms and Joseph DiScala Jr., Goosebump Hanover (RC Royalty-Good Common Cents) earned her first win in two career starts.
It was also a gate-to-wire victory for Go Mary Go in the Sire Stakes opener. Driver Ray Schnittker scored a front-running win on July 3 at Monticello Raceway and used the same tactics to get the job this week.
Go Mary Go put up fractions of :29.4, 1:01.2 and 1:32.3 in posting the head victory in 2:02.1 over Posterity (Charlie Norris) while Royal Surprise (Dan Daley) finished in third.
"I'm impressed with her gate speed," Schnittker said of Go Mary Go (RC Royalty-Michelles Way), who is now two-for-two in her young career with both victories coming on a half-mile surface. She is trained and co-owned by Schnittker along with Hero Stables, Theodore Gerwertz and David Pepin.
Dolly Drama PV (Lucky Chucky-Massive Drama) won the battle of attrition in notching a huge $153.50 stunner for driver Jeff Gregory. She was the only trotting filly not to break stride in the race and that was the difference in going the mile in 2:03.2.
"She handled the turns perfectly," Gregory said. "Also, [trainer] Mark Harder put an open bridle on her and I think that really made a big difference."
Bundle Of Energy (Schnittker) recovered after a break at the start to take second place while Playtime Lima (Rick Zeron) was third.
It was the first career win for Dolly Drama PV, who is owned and bred by Peter Venturini.
Cummings made it a driving double in the Sire Stakes with a victory aboard Dizzy Broad (Broad Bahn-Portia) in 2:05.3.
Using a first over journey down the backstretch the final time, Dizzy Broad ($7.50) took advantage of a break by the pacesetting I Will Take Credit near the three-quarter pole and was able to hang on for the victory.
"I had to keep her mind on things in the stretch," Cummings said of the late going with Dizzy Broad, who is owned and trained by Noel Daley.
I Will Take Credit (Daley) regrouped in time to finish second while Crazyasclassic (John Cummings Jr.) took the show position.
In the $15,000 Excelsior 'A' Series races, Outside Court ($11.40) scored for Gregory in 2:03.4 while Lindylicious ($2.60) trotted the mile in 2:01.2 for Lems.
Lindas Choice ($8.80) was victorious in 2:05.2 in the $6,600 Excelsior 'B' Series with Gregory in the bike while Lucky Lana took the non-betting race for Norris in 2:05.3.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)