Poets N Pirates gets the ‘booty’ at Buffalo

HAMBURG, N.Y. — Poets N Pirates (Spring Goal-Kandy’s Lo) collected the ‘booty’ for the second straight week at Buffalo Raceway as he turned back the late charge from Stars An Stones in the featured $9,000 Class B harness racing trotting event on Friday afternoon (May 24). He managed to collect the neck victory in 2:00.3 over the fast track.

Starting from the rail after notching a convincing five length win in the same classification last week, Poets N Pirates (Jim Morrill Jr.) allowed Stars An Stones (Joseph Chindano Jr.) to take the early lead but quickly was able to retake the top.

With fractions of :30.1, 1:01,1 and 1:31.3. Poets N Pirates main concern down the lane only appeared to be the pocket sitting Stars An Stones. Those worries came to fruition late as Stars An Stones made a valiant effort approaching the finish line but came up just a neck short. Hellrider (David McNeight III) took the show position.

Owned by Michael Torcello and trained by Samuel Smith, it was the third win in 16 outings this season for the 6-year-old gelded Poets N Pirates. The victory upped his 2024 earnings to $26,684 and $187,808 lifetime. He paid $2.20 to win.

The second week of the Spring Up Series continued as trotters who are non-winners of $12,500 (mares $15,000) and have at least 10 starts during the year squared off once again. In the first $11,000 division, Heavens Fury (Muscle Mass) was victorious as John Cummings Jr. steered the 4-year-old mare to a length win over Gemini Eddie in 1:59.2. She paid $8.80 to win.

It was an incredible effort from Caviar’s Yankee (Triumphant Caviar) in the second division as the 6-year-old gelding was parked the entire mile but still managed to beat Retha Babe by a head in 1:59.2. Driven by Morrill Jr., it was the second straight triumph in the Spring Up Series for Caviar’s Yankee. He paid $7.50 to win.

It was a great afternoon for Morrill Jr. as he steered home four winners while Cummings Jr. doubled. Trainer Andrew Torre had a pair of training victories.

Racing will resume on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with an 11-race program set.

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by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway