Percys Z Tam snuggled the pylons in cutting the mile in Buffalo Raceway's $12,000 Class AA Open Handicap Pace on Saturday night (July 18) and needed every step of the ground-saving journey to collect a head win over Daylight Rush in a seasonal-best 1:55.
Zooming off the gate from post 4, Percys Z Tam sprinted to the cones and posted splits of :29.3, :58.3 and 1:26.3. Turning for home, Buffalo Raceway's Pacer of the Meet Daylight Rush took aim at Percys Z Tam, but finished a head short. China Dream skimmed the inside for third.
Mike Torcello owns the six-year-old gelded Percys Z Tam (American Ideal-Mintjulep Bluechip). Trained by Gerry Sarama, the win boosted Percys Z Tam's winnings to $32,590 this year and $217,986 lifetime. Kevin Cummings drove the $8.80 winner.
In the $10,000 Class A Pace, Atlantis took the lead just past the opening quarter and held off a late-charging Stratosphere by a neck in 1:54.2. In Runaway Bay N took the show position.
Sitting third approaching the first-quarter marker, Atlantis soon rushed to the front. Setting a :56.4 opening half, Atlantis then withstood the late bid from Stratosphere to notch his fourth victory of the campaign.
Owned by Torcello and trained by Sarama, Atlantis (Well Said-Plant A Kiss) has now pushed his 2020 earnings to $17,749 and $52,014 lifetime. Kevin Cummings drove the $12.40 winner.
Utah Beach had a similar journey as Atlantis and posted a neck score over Arch O Matic in 1:54.0 in the $10,000 Class A-B Handicap Pace.
Going first over to the opening quarter, Utah Beach enjoyed the front end trip as Arch O Matic rode the pocket but never could push by in the stretch. Andy's Ideal (Kyle Cummings) rallied for third place.
Owned and trained by Richard Roth, the six-year-old Utah Beach (Somebeachsomewhere-Pears N Amoretto) has put $23,900 in the bank this season and $223,841 in his career. David McNeight III drove the $4.50 winner.
Under Paid made his first appearance at Buffalo Raceway a memorable one as he set the track record for four-year-old pacing horses with a 1:53.4 clocking over the fast track. The time smashed the previous mark of 1:54.3 established in 2015 by Instant Riches.
It was also the first track record of the season at Buffalo Raceway and it came on closing night.
Racing in the $6,400 Class C optional claiming level, Under Paid, following the guidance of driver Denny Bucceri, posted splits of :28.2, :56.4, 1:25.1 in progress to the two-and-a-half length nod over Chanting Hanover.
Owned by Jennifer Rogowski, Under Paid is trained by Mike Ohol. He paid $23.00 to win.
The simulcast center at Buffalo Raceway will remain closed until Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Live racing is tentatively scheduled to resume in January 2021.
(Buffalo Raceway)