There was nothing unusual about Stranger Things ($4) in Buffalo Raceway's $14,400 pace on Saturday afternoon (July 16) as the razor sharp six-year-old gelding held off Black Is Back by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.2 over the fast track.
With a pair of victories and a second place finish in his last four appearances, Stranger Things (Shawn McDonough) happily sat in the pocket as Black Is Back (Drew Monti) cut the mile with fractions of :29, :58.2 and 1:27.2. Barreling down the home stretch, Stranger Things tipped to the outside and easily coasted past Black Is Back, thanks to a :27.4 last panel. McSpidey (Kyle Cummings) rallied late to collect the third place cheque.
Co-owned by Virginia Schoeffel, Kathy Schoeffel and James Reuther, Stranger Things (Western Terror - Southwind Prairie) is trained by Angelo Nappo. Thanks to four wins in 13 tries in 2022, Stranger Things has produced earnings of $32,645 this year and $165,006 in his career.
Flying Finn N ($2.80) is going to hate to see the Buffalo Raceway season come to a close after winning the $12,400 pace by three-quarters of a length over Paprike Blue Chip in a seasonal best 1:54.3. It was his second straight victory in as many starts since arriving from Yonkers Raceway in early July.
Scoring from the rail, Flying Finn N (Kyle Cummings) was 'flying' off the gate and posted splits of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:26.2. Paprike Blue Chip (Drew Monti) was sitting in the pocket just waiting to pounce on the pacesetter in the lane but Flying Finn N never wavered and rolled to the triumph.
Owned by William Emmons and trained by James Clouser Jr., the seven-year-old gelded Flying Finn N (Bettors Delight - Circus Flyer) earned his fourth win in 23 attempts on the year. The victory jacked his earnings to $33,775 on the campaign and $164,828 lifetime.
Kevin Cummings finished the afternoon with a driving triple while Kyle Cummings had two wins.
Live racing has now concluded for the 2022 season but the simulcast centre will remain open through Sunday's action.
(Buffalo)