Hellrider takes a heavenly trip to Buffalo

HAMBURG, NEW YORK — It was a heavenly trip for Hellrider (Yankee Glide-My shooting star, $4.10) in Buffalo CircuitOn Friday afternoon (July 12), he co-featured the $9,000 Class B Harness Racing Trot, as he had no trouble in a one-length victory over Caviar’s Yankee in 1:59.0.

In the other $9,000 Grade B trotting event, the bar and another drop in class were the perfect remedy for heavy favourite Gracious Triumph ($2.10) as the mare beat the boys, holding off BJ’s Smitty by a length in 1:57.2.

Born A Rebel ($4.00) took the pace in the $9,000 Class B as he powered his way to the front early and then easily crushed Bold Bet by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:55.4.

In the first moto, Hellrider (David McNeight III) saw SS Tys Aflyin take an early lead. After a few strides, Hellrider pulled away and moved back into the lead, collecting fractions of :29.4, 1:00.1 and 1:29.4.

Hellrider took advantage of the finish line advantage but faced only a slight push late in the race from Caviar’s Yankee (Jim Morrill Jr.) but easily took the three-quarter length victory. Pennant Seelster (James McNeight Jr.) took the starting position.

Co-owned by Caprio Stable LLC and Maryanne Arena, the 7-year-old Hellrider is trained by Alana Caprio. The win, his third of the campaign, boosted his 2024 earnings to $18,542 and $84,513 lifetime.

Graceful Triumph (Triumphant Caviar-Sweet Touch), after two consecutive starts from the eighth post in Open II and Class A levels, finally got some class and relief at the post and took full advantage.

Starting on the inside, Gracious Triumph (Morrill Jr.) used his pylon position and posted splits of :29.0, :58.3 and 1:27.4. In the final stretch, BJ’s Smitty tried to reduce his lead but couldn’t close to more than a length, Ricky B Sharp (Mike Baumeister) took the starting position.

Trained by Shawn McDonough and owned by Harry Wortzman, 5-year-old Gracious Triumph earned her sixth win in 20 starts. The victory brings her 2024 total to $36,532 and her career earnings to $220,404.

Born a rebel (Better than cheddar-Outlawed Beauty) was on a mission from the start in the Class B pace as he was able to win a three-way scrum with Umberto and Leave And Roll. Taking the lead heading into the first panel, Born A Rebel (McNeight Jr.) posted splits of :29.0, :58.0 and 1:27.2.

Coming down the track, Born A Rebel was in overdrive while Bold Bet (Monti) and Umberto (McNeight III) could only watch in vain and had to settle for second and third.

Owned by David Del Pozzo and trained by Christopher Petrelli, the 5-year-old gelding Born A Rebel has now won three of his eight starts this year. The move boosted his seasonal earnings to $13,930 and $98,468 lifetime.

Racing continues on Saturday evening at 6pm with 12 races on the programme.

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, registrations, results and race replays, visit www.buffaloraceway.com.

For full race results click here: US Trot Results.

by Brian J. Mazurekfor Buffalo Raceway