Daylight Rush romps in Open Handicap

HAMBURG, N.Y. –— Thanks to a big ‘rush’ past the three quarter marker, Daylight Rush ($15.00) was able to put plenty of ‘daylight’ between him and the rest of the harness racing field in Buffalo Raceway’s $12,300 Class AA-Open Handicapped Pace on Saturday night (June 12).

Using a seasonal best of 1:53.3 over the fast track, Daylight Rush (David McNeight III) used a 29.2 final quarter panel which left the remaining field of six waving the white flag in the stretch. Endeavors Pride (Jim Morrill Jr.) was 2-1/2 lengths back in second with Saulsbrook Deputy (Kevin Cummings) grabbing the show position.

Firing off the gate from the six hole, Daylight Rush managed to get to the opening panel in a swift :27.4, eliminating Sir Pugsley’s chances by hanging him out to dry.

Hitting the half in :55.2, Daylight Rush crept away from the field and then exploded at the top of the stretch to win going away.

Owned and trained by Cassandra Johnson, it was the fifth victory in 16 tries for the 8-year-old gelded Daylight Rush (Art Colony-Pass With Caution). The triumph moved his seasonal earnings to $35,419 and $212,625.

SM Timmy (Kyle Cummings) continues to climb the ladder of success at Buffalo Raceway as he posted a stunning $46.40 upset in the $10,900 Class A-AA Handicapped Pace. He beat Dojea Solo (Shawn McDonough) by a neck in 1:54.4 with Stranger Things (Morrill Jr.) taking third just a half length back.

Since arriving from Miami Valley back on May 1, SM Timmy started his drive to the upper echelons with six successful tries in lower classes with two wins, a pair of second place finishes and a third. It showed SM Timmy was ready to make another move upwards.

Scoring from the two spot, SM Timmy struck to the lead early and put up fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:26.3. There were plenty of opportunities to be had by the closers in the stretch but SM Timmy hung on gamely and to notch the victory.

Owned by Michael Blidy and trained by Tammy Cummings, it was the fifth win in 20 starts for the 5-year-old gelded SM Timmy (World Of Rocknroll-Medoland Taranicol). The victory upped his 2021 bankroll to $39,554 and $52,935 in his career.

Kevin Cummings had a triple and McDonough a double in the bike while McDonough and Russell Bratt each had a pair of training wins.

Racing will resume on Wednesday evening with a 13-race program scheduled for 5 p.m. There will be a $1,395 carryover in the Pick 5 starting in the second race.

The New York Sire Stakes returns with the 3-year-old filly pacers to square off in races two, five and six with each division going for approximately $37,000. There will also be a $15,000 Excelsior Class A event and a $6,400 Excelsior B race.

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

For full race results, click here.

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway