Pocket rocket Rebellious wins Open Pace

HAMBURG, N.Y. — There was no rebel in Rebellious (Mach Three-Winbak Pam) at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (April 15) as he responded perfectly to harness racing driver Jim Morrill Jr.’s commands which led him to the victory in the $15,500 Open Pace in 1:55.3.

Smokin By N (Kyle Cummings) was able to take early control and set splits of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:27.3 over the lightning-fast track as Rebellious drafted along in the pocket. Turning for home, Morrill Jr. gave Rebellious the green light and ironically, he went ‘smoking by’ the pace setter and smartly pulled away to the two length win.

The 9-year-old Rebellious is co-owned by trainer Michael Deters and Joel Warner. It was his second decision in seven starts and jumped his earnings to $20.500 on the campaign and $545,338 in his career. He paid $2.70 to win.

If you didn’t know about Secrecy (Mach Three-Unsolved Mystery) before Saturday night, he sure made himself known in the sub-featured $13,500 conditioned pace. Dropping down from Open competition, Secrecy went the fastest mile in the 2023 meet at Buffalo Raceway with an eye-opening 1:54 clocking but it didn’t stand long as Tony Too Tall came along later in the evening with a 1:53.3. But Secrecy also caught everyone’s attention with a $23.20 win price.

Driven by Drew Monti, Secrecy shot right to the lead from the seven post and was able to set fractions of :28.2, :57.3 and 1:25.4. Heading down the home stretch, Stop Action (Kevin Cummings) and Casimir Richie P (Jim Morrill Jr.) were both within reasonable striking distance but Secrecy was much too strong and took the two length win.

Owned by Scott Rubman and trained by Russell Bratt, it was the third victory in 12 tries for the 10-year-old Secrecy. The win increased his seasonal bankroll to $35,820 and $262,976 lifetime.

The Jumpstart Series for horses with a Trackmaster Rating of 77 or less had three $15,000 divisions to spice up the program. Filly Speaks ($2.70) took the opener as the 5-year-old mare beat the gentlemen in 1:55. A 28.2 did the trick as she beat Myell’s Rockstar by two lengths. The second bracket saw Lanas Desire ($6.60) show plenty of heart and desire in the lane to hold off a stubborn Sleeping Single in 1:56.0. The final event saw Fox Valley Charliz ($5.90) make it two straight victories in the Series with a 1:55.4 triumph over Better Moonon Over.

Kyle Cummings finished the evening with a driving triple while Drew Monti and Morrill Jr. notched doubles. James Clouser Jr. had three training victories while Tammy Cummings picked up a double.

There’s a 12-race program set for Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. The $20,000 final in the Jumpstart Series horses with a Trackmaster Rating of 70 or less will be contested along with the $13,500 Open I-II Pace for the filly and mares.

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by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway