Track record smashed in NYSS

HAMBURG, N.Y. — What a way to start your harness racing career – a victory in the New York Sire Stakes for the 2-year-old filly pacers, a healthy $26,750 first place check and a spot in the Buffalo Raceway record book.

It was quite a debut for Vivians Dream (American Ideal) at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday (June 22) to say the least.

The hot, steamy afternoon was like a dream come true for Vivians Dream ($7.90) as she took her $53,500 division with an impressive 3-3/4 length win over Beantown Babe in 1:54.4. Her time easily erased the old mark of 1:55.2 shared by A Girl That Twirls and April Angel in a dead heat on July 7, 2021, in the NYSS for the freshmen pacing fillies.

While driver Jim Morrill Jr. and trainer Cory Mumford enjoyed the effort put in by Vivians Dream, the tandem wasn’t done yet. Doing Marvelous made it a clean sweep for the duo as she took the $54,500 bracket of the Sire Stakes with a head win over Seafood Beauty in 1:58.4.

The afternoon was cut short however as heavy rain and lightning forced officials to call off the final five events. But fortunately, all the Sire Stakes and Excelsior races got in before the severe weather rolled in.

Vivians Dream, starting from the inside, was able to take control early. With the favored B On The Hunt finding trouble negotiating the first turn on a leave attempt, Vivians Dream set sail with splits of :28.2, :57.1 and 1:26.4 over the lightning fast track.

There was little drama down the lane as Vivians Dream threw down a :28 last panel to squash the hopes of the rest of the field. Beantown Babe (Marcus Miller) was second best with Alabama Hannah (Tyler Buter) finishing in third.

Vivians Dream, who came into the rest off two impressive qualifying wins at Harrington, is owned by Forrest Bartlett.

Doing Marvelous (Bolt The Duer-Marvalous Joy) was just marvelous down the stretch and held on to defeat Seafood Beauty (Jordan Stratton) by a head.

Bama Breeze looked like the one to beat after posting splits of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:28.1. But those fractions proved to be too ambitious as she became leg weary down the stretch. Doing Marvelous in the meantime was able to gobble up the four-length disadvantage she had coming into the last panel and held off a hard charging Seafood Beauty. Turn On The Charm (Bruce Clarke) finished in third. The winner paid $3.10 to win.

Owned by Frank E. Chick, Doing Marvelous has now earned $30,175 on the season. It was her first win in two 2022 appearances.

In the $15,000 Excelsior A Series, Flippin Awesome (American Ideal, Drew Monti) came from a dozen lengths back at the half mile marker to collect the $30.40 victory over Southwind Rye in 2:01.

Surr’ La Faire (So Surreal, Wade Tomaszewski) captured the non-betting $6,400 Excelsior B race with a 2:04.4 triumph.

Racing will resume on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. with a 10-race card scheduled.

For non-betting race results, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway