Chalks and long shots at Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. — It was a perfect split for the harness racing fans at Buffalo Raceway as both the chalk and long shot players enjoyed the 10-race card on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 13).

Mississippi Rabbit (Drew Monti) didn’t disappoint his followers as he took the $14,000 Open I-II Pace and returned $3.80. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Schnickel Fritz kept up his end of the bargain and notched the $23.40 upset in the $13,000 Open II-III Trot, making it an even split on the day.

The main pacing event saw Mississippi Rabbit use a first over trip and was able to hold off a pesky Endeavors Pride (Kevin Cummings) in 1:59.1 over the sloppy track. Paprike Blue Chip (Shawn McDonough) took the show position.

Sunfirewindrain took early control of the pace and used splits of :29.4 and :59.4 to the half. Those fractions proved to be too ambitious as Mississippi Rabbit started his first over journey and was in command turning for home. Endeavors Pride made a bid late but could get no closer than 1-1/4 lengths at the wire.

Owned by Rocco Stebbins and conditioned by Joe Skowyra, it was the first start of the campaign for the 8-year-old gelded Mississippi Rabbit (Richess Hanover-Dixie Darlin). It was his 32nd lifetime win and pushed his career bankroll to $341,714.

In the featured trot, Schnickel Fritz (Kyle Cummings) captured a three-way photo and beat the favored Warrawee Windsor by a nose in 2:04.3 over the sloppy track. The tempo-setting Photo Bomber was just a head back in third.

Photo Bomber (Kevin Cummings) was able to stomp out fractions of :30.2, 1:01.2 and 1:32.4. He looked home free midway down the stretch but Schnickel Fritz and Warrawee Windsor were barreling on the outside, closing the gap with each stride. A photo was needed to separate the top two with Schnickel Fritz getting a nose in front while Warrawee Windsor had to settle for the disappointing second place check.

Owned by Michael Ohol Jr. and Steven Gross, the 7-year-old gelded Schnickel Fritz (Dontyouforgetit-The Power Of Magic) has now found the winner’s circle twice in three attempts in 2022. Trained by Michael Ohol, the win pushed the seasonal earnings for Schnickel Fritz to $12,824 and $145,565 lifetime.

The big wins included victories by My Money Honey ($17.80), Schnickel Fritz ($23.40), Amora Beach ($30.40), Bugatti ($34.40) and Smooth Mara N ($74.80).

Monti, Kevin Cummings and Kyle Cummings each collected driving doubles while Skowyra had two training victories.

Racing will continue on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. with a 9-race card scheduled. With the Pick 5 not being hit on Sunday afternoon thanks to some tote busters, there will be a guaranteed pool of $15,000 in the sequence which begins in the second race.

For full race results, click here.

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway