Trotter breaks own record in Buffalo

HAMBURG, NEW YORK — The ink had barely dried in the Buffalo Circuit book of records, but Double Class (Course included-Double Ivory) broke his own harness racing record he set a week earlier for 4-year-old geldings with a thrilling 1:56.1 victory over Power And Grace in the $14,000 Open I-II Handicap Trotting Stakes on Saturday night (July 20).

Last Saturday, Double Class ($11.40) set the fastest time in this category with a trip of 1:56.2. He needed every moment this time to unseat Power And Grace, elected Trotter of the Meeting just minutes before post time.

Power And Grace (Drew Monti) took the early lead, but a parked E Street took the lead at the quarter pole in 28.2 seconds. Power And Grace didn’t want to be part of the pocket and regained the lead by picking up fractions of 58.0 seconds and 1:26.4 seconds.

In what will likely go down as one of the best races of the 2024 season at Buffalo Raceway, Double Class (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Power And Grace broke away from the pack and went evenly matched down the stretch. Neither trotter was willing to give an inch, but Double Class had just enough of a final push as they neared the finish line to edge Power And Grace and set the new track record. R Royal Port (Kyle Swift) took show honors.

Owned and trained by James Clouser Jr., Double Class has now earned $44,205 on the season and $82,705 on the year. This is his fifth win in 21 appearances.

In the $14,000 Open Pace, Blazing Light (Sweet Lou-Light Up) and driver Kyle Cummings kept pace with Davey Day Trader before rallying on the “Lightning Lane” to take the win in 1:54.3.

Davey Day Trader (James McNeight Jr.) started the race with comfortable times of 29.1, 58.2 and 1:26.3. But a wall of horses began to bear down on Davey Day Trader. Blazing Light ($16.00) found the open road in the passing lane and passed Davey Day Trader with Scribblers (Drew Monti) taking third.

Owned by Kyle Cummings and trained by Tammy Cummings, it was the third win in nine starts for the 6-year-old gelding Blazing Light. The victory increases his 2024 earnings to $25,098 and his career earnings to $157,518.

Buffalo Raceway handed out awards Saturday night, with Power And Grace named Trotter of the Meet. The 8-year-old mare (The road to the holidays-Mark Of Honour) is owned by Hartel Maintenance Inc., Lormer McClure, Brett MacDonald and Reg Higgs. Trained by Ronald MacDonald, he won six of 15 races at Buffalo, earning $58,820.

Egomania won the Pacer of the Meet title. After winning all three rounds of the Spring Up Series, David Russo’s trainee then won the finals. Owned by Anthony Barone, Egomania won six of 14 attempts and earned more than $47,000 in winnings.

Samuel Smith won his second consecutive Trainer of the Meet award after recording 59 wins through Friday and nearly $500,000 in purses.

The final live racing schedule of 2024 will take place on Sunday with seven races scheduled for noon. Additionally, the simulcast center will also close after the action on Sunday afternoon.

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by Brian J. Mazurekfor Buffalo Raceway