Pennant Seelster ($10.00) and Classic Sunny ($8.20) learned a lesson that sharing can be good as the pair finished in a dead heat in Buffalo Raceway's $12,329 Class B Trot on a perfect Friday afternoon (July 19).
In the other $12,329 trotting division, Ricky B Sharp ($26.60) was able to grind out a first over trip and topped a hard charging Rough Tuff Tested by a length in 2:00.
The $12,329 Class B Pace saw Born A Rebel ($3.50) run his win streak to three in a row with a coast to coast victory over Century Grizzly in 1:55.3.
In the opener, Pennant Seelster ($10.00) had a brief bobble at the start and spotted the field a few lengths before driver James McNeight Jr. got him back on task. Meanwhile, Ideal Pack and Caviars Yankee played give and go to the opening quarter marker. With splits of :30.2, 1:01.1 and 1:31.2 posted, the real race was ready to start.
With Ideal Pack (Kyle Swift) turning for home first, Caviars Yankee (Jim Morrill Jr.) attacked from the passing lane with Pennant Seelster and Classic Sunny (Kevin Cummings) both flying on the outside. It was a bang bang finish as a photo couldn't separate Pennant Seelster and Classic Sunny at the wire in a final time of 2:00.2. Ideal Pack managed to hold on for third.
Pennant Seelster (Manofmanymissions-Papi Lavec) is owned by Rose Campbell and is trained by David Weston while Classic Sunny is co-owned by Anthony Alessi and Fred Yellen with Matthew Rosiek handling the conditioning duties.
In the other trotting co-feature, the favoured BJs Smitty was able to cut the fractions with times of :29.3, :59.3 and 1:29.3. But the closers soon arrived on the scene and were able to cut into the margin.
Ricky Be Sharp (Michael Baumeister) began his first over grind heading down the backstretch the final time and was able to reach the lead midway down the lane. Rough Tuff Tested (James McNeight Jr.) cut into the advantage but ran out of real estate and finished second. BJs Smitty (Cummings) was able to collect third place honours.
Owned by Jennifer Signor and conditioned by Jacob Baumeister, the triumph was the third victory in 27 appearances for the eight-year-old Ricky Be Sharp (American Native-Cosmetize). The triumph increased his bankroll to $53,854 and $239,915 lifetime.
Born A Rebel (McNeight Jr.) was able to retake the top early after Century Grizzly roared to the lead. The heavily favoured Born A Rebel notched fractions of :28.4, :58 and 1:27.3 and was bracing for any threats that were about to come his way.
Nothing materialized as Born A Rebel was able to easily hold back Century Grizzly (Kevin Cummings) by a comfortable three quarter lengths while Bold Bet (Drew Monti) took the show position.
Owned by David Del Pozzo and trained by Christopher Petrelli, the win was the fourth victory in nine attempts on the season for the five-year-old Born A Rebel (Betterthancheddar-Outlawed Beauty). The score moved his 2024 earnings to $25,246 and $119,746 lifetime.
Live racing will conclude this weekend with a 10-race program slated for 6 p.m. on Saturday (July 20) while there are seven races set for Sunday with a special post time of noon.
(With files from Buffalo)