All-age trot record rewritten at Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. —Deswanslittlelorie (Swan For All-Devoutly Hanover) broke the all-time Buffalo Raceway trotting record on Saturday night (July 15) with a 1:55.3 time over a harness racing track listed as sloppy. The 6-year-old mare erased the previous mark of 1:56.0 set by Fox Valley Veto on July 20, 2018, and also wiped out the mare trotting standard of 1:56.1 turned in on June 1, 2018, by Chelseas Chance.

Ironically, Deswanslittlelorie unofficially broke the Buffalo Raceway track mark with a 1:55.1 trip on June 24, but since it was in a qualifier, the time didn’t register as a record.

After settling in briefly from third, Deswanslittlelorie ($2.90) zoomed to the top with driver/trainer Joe Chindano Jr. guiding her through fractions of :28.4, :57.3 and 1:26.2. In the lane, the only question remained was what the final time was going to be and Deswanslittlelorie trotted home smartly for the new track record. She easily beat Bacardi (David McNeight III) by 10 lengths with Gracious Triumph (Shawn McDonough) taking third.

Co-owned by Fox Valley Racing Inc. and RBH Ventures Inc., it was the third win of the season in 14 starts for Deswanslittlelorie. The victory increased her earnings to $24,055 on the campaign and $237,124 in her career.

One Off Delight A ($5.50) made it two straight victories, this time in the $15,500 Open Pace with a three quarter length victory over Villiam in 1:55.0.

It’s been a perfect combination for One Off Delight A and driver Jim Morrill Jr. thus far. Last week, Morrill Jr. guided the 9-year-old gelding to a two length win in 1:53.1 so the twosome got reacquainted this time around with a jump into Open company.

Stop Action, fresh off two straight victories, set the fractions off the rail, putting up splits of :28.4, :58.0 and 1:26.4. But the closers started to swoop in around the final turn, putting Stop Action’s lead in peril.

It didn’t take long for them to overtake Stop Action. One Off Delight A floated four-wide at the top of the stretch and Morrill Jr. let him confidently pace onto the lead. Villiam (Chindano Jr.) never gave up but had to settle for a tough second place finish while Gunslinger Hill (David McNeight III) rallied for the show spot.

Trained by Samuel Smith and owned by Mike Torcello, the 9-year-old gelded One Off Delight (Bettor’s Delight-Tiger Su) has posted three wins in 22 outings in 2023. The victory increased his seasonal bankroll to $48,060 and $349,767 lifetime

In the $15,500 Open Trot, Con Air Hall got some much needed post relief and parlayed that into a 2-3/4 length victory over Jacked in 1:57.2.

After a pair of gate to wire victories, Con Air Hall ($5.80) received the seven and eight posts in his next two tries, not conducive positions for his front running style. So getting the four hole this week, Con Air Hall knew he had a shot at the lead.

When the wings of the starting gate opened, Con Air Hall and Johnny Boy were involved in a early speed duel. But approaching the opening quarter pole, Johnny Boy relented, allowing Con Air Hall to take command.

With splits of :29.1, :58.4 and 1:27.4 on the board, Con Air Hall (Morrill Jr.) turned for home with a six length and strolled off to the dialed down decision. In the battle for the minor awards, Jacked (David McNeight III) took that battle while Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.), last week’s Open winner, was third.

Owned by Ronald Viele and trained by Jennifer Giuliani, it was the sixth win in 21 attempts on the season for the 10-year-old gelded Con Air Hall (Groton Hall-Charm’s Chip). The victory moved his seasonal earnings to $46,169 and $352,379 in his lifetime.

Racing will resume on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a 13-race card scheduled. The New York Sire Stakes returns for the final time this year. It’s a unique ‘doubleheader’ as there will be a pair of NYSS events for the 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters along with two NYSS races for the 3-year-old filly trotters. On top of that, there’s four $20,000 Excelsior Series battles with all of the stakes racing coming in the first eight on the program.

Buffalo Raceway closes out the 2023 campaign on Saturday, July 22. For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway