Peace Talks walks the walk in $117,700 NYSS

HAMBURG, N.Y. — There wasn’t any negotiating with Peace Talks (American Ideal-Triple V Hanover, $5.50) in the $117,700 New York Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old filly pacers on Wednesday afternoon (June 12) at Buffalo Raceway. The reigning 2-year-old champion kept a tight hold of her crown and silenced her rivals with a 1-1/2 length victory over Leanne’s Choice in 1:54.4 over the fast track.

Peace Talks (Jim Morrill Jr.) had to work hard to get to the early lead as Bronx Barista played some hard ball before finally relenting. With sensible splits of :27.3 and :56.1 through the opening half posted by Peace Talks, Bronx Barista, sitting in second, broke stride coming out of the clubhouse turn, scattering the field a bit.

With a final panel to pace, Peace Talks still wasn’t home free as a wall of three damsels were able to regroup and make one final push. But those efforts didn’t materialize as Leanne’s Choice (Marcus Miller) took the place position and Blue Point (Kevin Cummings) was third.

Owned by Henderson Farms, Robert Mondillo, Fac Racing and Jeffrey Bell, Peace Talks now has two wins in three attempts this season. The victory jacked her seasonal earnings to $117,700 and $320,779 in her career.

There were a trio of $20,000 events in the Excelsior Series for the 3-year-old filly pacers.

The only mild surprise came in the opening division as Melanie’s Megan (American Ideal, $9.10) turned back OBJ by three quarters of a length in 1:55.4. Marcus Miller guided her to the win.

Shine On Susan (American Ideal, $4.30) found room in the passing lane and got past Chris’s Choice by a head in 1:56.1. Brett Beckwith steered her to the popular victory.

A Few Choice Words (Courtly Choice, $4.10) was the fastest in the Excelsior Series as she snapped Lady Saturn’s six-race win streak with a 1:55.2 tour around the Hamburg half-mile oval. Jim Morrill Jr. was aboard the winner who took the 3-1/4 length decision.

In the $14,000 Open Pace for the fillies and mares, Oaxacan Dream N (Big Jim-Verde Lima, Billy Davis Jr.) got a perfect trip from the outside and stunned Flip The Script by a length in 1:54.3.

Off the starting gate, Flip The Script ($32.00) played give and go with Oaxacan Dream N. After settling on the lead with fractions of :28.2, :57.0 and 1:26.0, Flip The Script had to deal with the pesky Oaxacan Dream N who was still in hot pursuit.

Turning for home, Oaxacan Dream N found plenty of room down the lightning lane and rolled on past Flip The Script Drew Monti) while Center Attraction (James McNeight Jr.) was third.

Owned by Vogel & Wags Nags LLC, Oaxacan Dream N is conditioned by Maria Rice. It was her fourth win in 14 tries in 2024, earning $38,175 and $163,629 lifetime.

The $20,000 Spring Up Series finale for the pacers who were non-winners of $8,000 and had at least 10 starts before May 16 was contested. Dakota Roadster (Duneside Perch-Parkontheroad, $2.40) didn’t disappoint as her went coast to coast in beating Grahams Teddy Bear (David McNeight III) in 1:56.2. R U Talkin (Davis Jr.) took the show honors.

Scoring his third victory of the Series and second consecutive win, Dakota Roadster (Joseph Chindano Jr.) is owned and trained by Jeffrey Martin. The 12-year-old Dakota Roadster has now collected $26,670 in the campaign and $429,692 in his lifetime.

Racing will continue on Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with an 11-race program set.

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway