Buffalo Raceway will kick off the final week of its 2016 season on Wednesday night (July 20) with two-year-old colt and gelding pacers ready to clash in three $36,566 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes.
Trainer Ron Burke is bringing in four promising youngsters, and they all have been tabbed the morning line favorite in their respective divisions. He's bringing in Rock It Scott, Major Key, Miso Fast and Offdahook Bluechip to the Hamburg half-mile oval for the event.
With 10 track records either tied or broken this season at Buffalo Raceway, the standard for the two-year-old colt and geldings is on the line. Hes Watching holds the colt mark of 1:55.4, established in 2013, while Roadside Delight has the gelding mark of 1:56.3, set in 2010.
In the first division, Burke has an entry of Rock It Scott (Roll With Joe-Vanite Semalu) and Major Key (Art Major-Capri Hanover).They are the 2-1 top choice.
Matt Kakaley gets the call aboard Rock It Scott, who easily wired the field at Saratoga on July 8 in the sire stakes. Starting from the rail, Rock It Scott won by four and a half lengths in 1:54.3. They'll get the inside post once again in hopes of an instant replay.
Kevin Cummings will be behind Major Key, who was seventh in the only start of his career after drawing the seven post. Major Key will get a better starting position this week as he got the four slot.
The main competition could come from Windsong Napoleon (Art Major-Bunny Dearest) with Jody Jamieson in the bike. Windsong Napoleon lost by a neck in 1:53.1 on July 11 at Mohawk Racetrack. The Carl Jamieson-trained colt will start from the five post.
In the second leg, Miso Fast (Roll With Joe-Sakura Hanover) headlines the field after burying the field on July 8 in the sire stakes at Saratoga Raceway. He posted an impressive three and a half-length decision in 1:54.3. Kakaley will steer Miso Fast, the 8-5 morning line choice, from the six spot.
Leading driver at Buffalo Raceway, Jim Morrill Jr. will try and contend with Outkast Blue Chip (Rock N Roll Hanover-ArmbroSavannah). In his career debut, Outkast Blue Chip started from the seven position and managed to work out a fourth-place finish. They'll try their luck from the three hole this time around.
The final division finds Offdahook Bluechip the 5-2 choice after a fast closing second-place finish to Music In Art on July 8 at Saratoga. Starting from the three post with Kakaley in the sulky on Wednesday, Offdahook Hanover (American Ideal-StefaniBlue Chip) should be loving the long stretch at Buffalo Raceway.
Zampara put in a stellar performance in a $15,000 Excelsior ‘A’ Series event at Saratoga on July 8 with a wire-to-wire victory in 1:54.3. Pat Lachance will guide Zampara (American Ideal-Valobesta) from the inside post and could be tough from the pylons.
Outrajus Blue Chip had tough luck in his career debut. He was interfered with at the start and lost all hope, but finished sixth after trailing by more than 14 lengths. Morrill Jr. will drive Outrajus Blue for trainer Aaron Lambert.
There will also be three $15,000 Excelsior ‘A’ Series races and two $6,500 contests in the Excelsior ‘B’ Series on the card.
The Claiming Championship finals will also be contested. The first bracket is for filly and mare pacers ($8,000-$12,500 claiming price) who will tangle for the $14,800 purse, while the other final features the filly and mare pacers ($4,000-$7,000 claiming price) who will go for $10,000.
The 12-race program will get underway at 5 p.m.
(Buffalo Raceway)