Chuck ($8.50) used some deep-stretch fireworks to take the $21,918 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway on Friday, July 4 with a three-quarter length victory over the favoured Big Baller Beane in 1:56.4.
With the field chopped down to five due to the scratch of Newsboy, Big Baller Beane (Kevin Cummings) got early control of the lead. With Uncle Archie (Jim Morrill Jr.) making a break around the first turn, four trotters remained in contention.
Big Baller Beane showed the way through fractions of :28.4, :58.3 and 1:28. Chuck (Ray Fisher Jr.) waited patiently in fourth as Crazy Ritz (Jim McNeight Jr.) sat in the pocket. Wolinak (Dave McNeight III) went first-over just past the three-quarter marker and brought Chuck in tow. Turning for home, Chuck tipped three-wide for the stretch drive and was able to roll on by Big Baller Beane while Crazy Ritz was third.
Owned by Robert Slowey Jr. and trained by Ryan Swift, the win Chuck's fifth victory in his last six starts and seventh of the season in 15 attempts. The four-year-old homebred gelding by Mets Hall-Abby has now earned $68,404 on the season and $80,823 in his career.
In the $19,863 conditioned pace for the fillies and mares, Rightfully Mine ($17.80) skimmed the pylons the entire mile and managed to put a head in front of Mary Kat at the line in a seasonal best of 1:55.2.
Mary Kat (Dave McNeight III) stomped out the splits of :28.2, :57.1 and 1:26.3. The action picked up around the final turn as Firstofanera (Brett MacDonald) and Mary Kat battled nose-to-nose. Meanwhile, Rightfully Mine (Drew Monti) stayed steady along the pylons and had just enough zip late to shoot up the inside and edge out a heartbroken Mary Kat. The favoured Firstofanera was third.
Owned and bred by Monique Cohen and trained by Christopher Petrelli, the win was the second in 14 starts on the season for Rightfully Mine (American Ideal-Leah). The seven-year-old mare has produced $54,894 on the year and $341,638 lifetime.
Monti completed the program with four victories with Jim Morrill Jr. and Kyle Cummings getting two wins. Tom Mays and Petrelli each had two training scores.
Racing will resume at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. with 12 races on tap.
(Buffalo Raceway)