Ever since arriving from Scioto Downs in Ohio on June 28, Milliron Pete has sure made himself right at home at Buffalo Raceway. And while adjusting to his surroundings in Western New York, he's finding the winner's circle is a pretty good place to hang out as well.
For the fourth time in five starts at the Hamburg half-mile oval, Milliron Pete (Jim McNeight) showed he's not camera shy either by taking a half-length victory in the $10,500 Open Pace in 1:55 over the fast track Saturday night (July 25).
While Milliron Pete ($9.60) has new stomping grounds, he has passed just about every test put in front of him. Starting out in a $4,800 conditioned race on June 28 at Buffalo Raceway, Milliron Pete has stepped his way up the ladder and it landed him on the top rung, the Open Pace. Posting a one and a half length victory in 1:55.2 on July 18 in a $7,800 conditioned pace, the jump in class was well deserved.
Big Bossman did much of the dirty work in Saturday's race by setting fractions of :27.4, :57.1 and 1:26.1. Milliron Pete, who was assigned the inside post, drafted along perfectly in second and scooted through in the passing lane to stun Big Bossman (Jack Flanigen). Western Alumni (Ron Beback Jr.) took the show position.
Trained by McNeight and owned by the Eim Racing, Milliron Pete (American Ingot-Komoda Dragon) has now posted six victories in 26 tries in 2015. Saturday victory sent the five-year-old gelding's earnings to $34,816 this year and $57,481 lifetime.
In the $9,500 Open II Pace, Cobble Beach (Kevin Cummings) reverted back to his front-running style and it resulted in an impressive four length win in a sizzling 1:53.1.
Scoring the from six post, Cobble Beach had to tussle with Mister Icon for the lead to the opening quarter, but once getting there, it was all over. Cobble Beach motored to the half in :56.2 and blistered a :28.1 last panel to put the remaining five horses in surrender mode. Mister Icon (McNeight) finished a distant second while I C D Moolah (Beback Jr.) was third.
Owned and trained by James Clouser Jr., Cobble Beach (Artiscape-Mirmattculous) has now posted four wins in 24 starts this season, moving his earnings to $41,810. The five-year-old gelding upped his career bankroll to $142,852.
The 2015 season comes to a close Sunday afternoon when an 11-race card goes to the post at 1:05 p.m.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)