Chasethecloudsaway re-rallies to take Open

HAMBURG, N.Y. — It appeared that Chasethecloudsaway (Sunshine Beach-Janns Bid) had called it a night at the top of the stretch in Buffalo Raceway’s $17,500 Open Pace for the fillies and mares on Wednesday (March 22) but harness racing driver Jim Morrill Jr. didn’t let her give up.

Re-rallying her in the lane, Morrill Jr. and Chasethecloudsaway ($5.80) found a second wind and beat the fraction setting and favored Dragon Sparks by a half a length in a seasonal best of 1:56.3 over the fast track.

Dragon Sparks (Joseph Chindano Jr.) put up solid fractions of :28.0, :57.3 and 1:27.3. Chasethecloudsaway was first up on the outside with a quarter mile to pace and was on even terms with the leader.

Chasethecloudsaway appeared to have had enough for the night as she tailed off straightening out for home. But Morrill Jr. re-invigorated the mare once again and was able to snag the win. Dragon Sparks got the place check with Lyons Anita (Kevin Cummings finishing in third.

Co-owned by trainer Chris Petrelli and David Del Pozzo, it was the third victory in five starts for the 6-year-old Chasethecloudsaway. The victory improved her seasonal earnings to $20,220 and $221,664 lifetime.

She Can Party (Bettor’s Delight-Tea Party Princess) and driver David McNeight III were in a celebratory mood after taking the victory in the sub-featured $13,100 pace for the fillies and mares. She notched the length win over Free Flyin Ticket (Dan Rawlings) with JK Lady Star (Kevin Cummings) collecting the show check.

Free Flyin Ticket, fresh off a 10-1/4 length romp last week, set the fractions of :29.2, :58.2 and 1:27.2 but was tracked intently throughout by She Can Party ($13.00) heading into the lane. The pair were on even terms as heads turned for home but She Can Party eventually wore down Free Flyin Ticket.

Owned and trained by Lee Dahn, it was the second victory in five starts this season for the 8-year-old She Can Party. The win upped her seasonal bankroll to $17,855 and $212,765 lifetime.

There were a pair of $11,200 paces for the ladies on the card. Ashlee’s Delight ($2.70) didn’t disappoint as the chalk as she scored a length win over Mach Of Shame for Chindano Jr. in 1:58. In the second division, Sudden Change N ($9.30) and Rawlings went straight to the lead and held off a hard-charging Fox Valley Charliz in 1:57.3. It was the 50th lifetime victory for Sudden Change N.

In the lone $11,200 conditioned trot, driver Kevin Cummings guided Silver Buckeye ($13.80) through the passing lane late to corral the front stepping Le Millenaire in 1:59.2.

Buffalo Raceway announced several schedule changes for the remainder of the 2023 season. Friday, March 31, which was originally a dark day, has now been added to the slate with post time scheduled for 6 p.m.

Also, Saturday racing that was supposed to begin at 2:30 p.m. on April 1 will stay at its current time of 6 p.m. with the exception of Saturday, May 6 (Kentucky Derby Day). Post time will be at 2:30 on this date. The Wednesday/Friday racing dates commencing in April will still remain at 2:30 p.m.

Horsemen can view the updated condition sheet for next week by clicking here.

Racing will resume on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with a 13-race card on tap.

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