Show Stopping sure did steal the show on Saturday night (July 8) at Buffalo Raceway by breaking a long-standing track record in winning the featured $9,000 Preferred Pace in 1:53.4.
The time beat the old mark for the aged pacing horses (five year olds and up) of 1:54, established way back in 2008 by Civil Attack.
"I didn't realize it was a track record until I was told about it," winning driver David McNeight III said after the big $33.00 upset victory aboard Show Stopping. "I got a good trip behind Lucky McTrucky. I knew it was going to be close at the finish. Trainer Matt Tumolillo had him ready to race."
Tumolillo, who has just started to spread his wings as a first year trainer, said, "I wasn't even thinking about a track record, I was just thinking about getting the win." Tumolillo's small stable now has hit the board in six of eight starts including a pair of victories this season. He said, "I've had my training license for a while but this is the first time I am putting it to use."
Lucky McTrucky (Kevin Cummings) did the dirty work in helping Show Stopping break the record. Setting fractions of :28.1, :56.3 and 1:25.1, Lucky McTrucky was begging for the line but Showing Stopping edged out late in the stretch and took the victory by a narrow nostril. Lucky King (Ron Beback Jr.) took the show position.
Show Stopping (I Am A Fool-Posterone) is a seven-year-old horse that is owned by Robert Izzo. He now has six wins in 21 starts this year, earning $42,196 and $151,089 lifetime.
Ray Fisher Jr., Jim Morrill Jr. and McNeight III all completed the night with doubles. Gerry Sarama conditioned a pair of winners.
Racing will continue on Sunday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. with 10 races on the card. The program will feature action in the New York Sire Stakes for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters along with events in the Excelsior A and B Series. There's also a $799 carryover in the Pick-5, which begins in the second race.
(Buffalo Raceway)