Fox Valley Veto ($8.90) figured things are cheaper by the dozen as for 12th time this season, a track record has either been tied or broken at Buffalo Raceway.
Going gate-to-wire, Fox Valley Veto broke the all-aged trotting standard at Buffalo Raceway with a splendid 1:56 victory over the fast track in the $11,500 Open Trot on Friday night (July 20). The winning time eclipsed the old mark of 1:56.1 set in 2014 by Gural Hanover and tied this year by Chelseas Chance and BZ Glide.
Starting from the three post, driver Billy Davis Jr. and Fox Valley Veto fired off the starting gate and assumed the top position quickly. Empire Earl N (Drew Monti) also tried a leave attempt but broke stride and that miscue extinguished his hopes.
With fractions of :29.1, :58 and 1:27.1 on the board, Fox Valley Veto wasn't home free turning for the finish line. Southern Palms (Kevin Cummings) and the first-over Barn Winner (Ray Fisher Jr.) each were within striking distance but couldn't cut into the lead and settled for second and third, respectively.
Co-owned by the Vogel And Wags Nags Stable and Jack Rice, Fox Valley Veto (Pizzazzed-Yankee Victory Om) is trained by Maria Rice. The victory was his fifth of the season in 21 attempts, upping his earnings to $50,709 for 2018 and $441,441 lifetime.
The track record was just the start of a great night for Davis Jr. as he finished the program with five victories while Monti added a pair. Rice and David Russo had productive evenings with training doubles.
The 2018 season comes to a close on Saturday night with a 10-race card slated for 6 p.m.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)