Stop Action, Barn Hall grab co-features

HAMBURG, N.Y. — There was no stopping Stop Action in the $15,000 Open Pace at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday afternoon (May 7) as the 5-year-old harness racing gelding roared down the home stretch to pull off a $23.40 upset over the heavily favored McSpidey by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:56.2 over the fast track.

In the co-featured $15,000 Open Trot, it was a completely opposite affair as Barn Hall ($3.70) took command early and left all the closers in his wake in romping to a solid five length decision over Lougazi in 1:59.0.

Driver Kevin Cummings swept both co-main events and finished the matinee with three victories.

Stop Action sat off the pace as Pembroke Joey stomped out the fractions of :29.0, :58.1 and 1:27.0 and brought McSpidey along in the pocket. Hitting the three-quarter marker, Stop Action got into the mix with the threesome breaking away from the field.

Turning for home, it was no contest as Stop Action smartly pulled away from McSpidey (Kyle Cummings) and Pembroke Joey (Denny Bucceri) who could do nothing but watch in vain.

Owned by Super Mile LLC and trained by Angelo Nappo, it was the fifth win in 13 starts for Stop Action (Somebeachsomewhere-The Show Returns). The victory boosted his 2022 earnings to $30,931 and $107,975 lifetime.

Barn Hall caught an early break as Leaping Legend looked to race for the top but jumped it off. So now in front, Barn Hall enjoyed the fresh spring air around the Hamburg half mile oval and notched fractions of :30.1, 1:00.1 and 1:29.4.

Lougazi, the well-documented closer, was in reasonable striking distance for him but Barn Hall’s advantage proved to be too much to overcome. Mystical Sarabi (Dan Yetman) took the show position.

Co-owned by trainer Steve Pratt, Nancy Pratt, Purple Haze Stables and Out In The Country Stables, it was the first win of the season after two previous attempts for the 4-year-old Barn Hall (Conway Hall-Exotic Form). The victory moves his 2022 earnings to $11,500 and $136,246 lifetime.

Monti completed the day with a triple while trainer Joe Alba posted a double.

Racing will return on Wednesday afternoon with an eight-race card slated. Buffalo Raceway’s schedule expands to Friday afternoons this week at 1:30 p.m. along with the usual Saturday matinee.