Muskingum finds winning recipe at Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. — A softer test and an inside post were the perfect harness racing recipe for Muskingum (Triumphant Caviar-Abbey Craig) ($2.90) as the lone mare in the field showed the gentlemen how it is done by taking the $9,000 trot at Buffalo Raceway on Friday afternoon (June 21). She beat Spirit Of Success by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:57.4 over the fast track.

Muskingum, who previously raced in Open competition back in mid-May, has tumbled down the ladder the past three starts. Now arriving in the Class B level and drawing the pylons, Muskingum and driver Joseph Chindano Jr. took full advantage of the situation.

When the starting gate swung open, Muskingum was ready to go as she fired right to the top and collected fractions of :29.4, :59.4 and 1:28.3. With Spirit Of Success (Drew Monti) and Jumpinthejailhouse (John Cummings Jr.) chasing Muskingum turning for home, they had little response and had to settle for the minor awards.

Owned by Fox Racing Inc. and trained by Maggie Chindano, Muskingum has now captured four victories in 15 tries on the season. The win pushed her 2024 earnings to $25,660 and $246,829 lifetime.

In the tri-featured $9,000 pace, Better B Swift (Bettor’s Delight-Swift N Shout) was really ‘swift’ when he needed to be and collared the pace setting RD Skippy in the shadow of the finish line, notching the neck victory in 1:59.0.

In the Class B Pace, there was a three-way tussle for early supremacy with RD Skippy and driver Kevin Cummings managing to come away on top. With fractions of :29.0, 1:00.1 and 1:29.0 on the board, the final quarter mile was going to decide the race.

RD Skippy turned for home with the advantage but Better B Swift (Monti) dipped into the passing lane and eventually wore down the pace setter. Silas Seelster finished in third but was disqualified for interference, thus bumping Silverhill Blaze (Jim Morrill Jr.) into the show position.

Owned by Keith Pinkowski and conditioned by Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr., it was the third win in 17 attempts on the campaign for the 7-year-old Better B Swift. His bankroll moved to $19,189 on the year and $181,163 in his career. He paid $5.10 to win.

The other $9,000 Class B trot saw Pennant Seelster (Amanofmanymissions-Papi Levac) skim the pylons and shock All About Thechase by two lengths in a seasonal best 1:59.3. He paid a whopping $43.60 for the inside winning journey.

Pennant Seelster and driver Kyle Swift watched patiently in the pocket as SS Tys Aflyin (Chindano Jr.) set sail from the seven post.

Turning down the long home stretch, SS Tys Aflyin had plenty of contenders taking a shot but it was Pennant Seelster who motored on by from the ‘lightning lane’ to grab the upset victory. All About Thechase (James McNeight Jr.) rallied for second while SS Tys Aflin had to settle for third place.

Owned by Rose Campbell and trained by David Weston, it was the third trip to the winner’s circle in 16 starts for Pennant Seelster. The victory jacked his seasonal winnings to $19,961 and to $187,527 in his career.

Racing will resume on Saturday evening with a 14-race program set with a 6 p.m. post scheduled.

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by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway