Hellrider gets a trip from heaven at Buffalo

HAMBURG, N.Y. — It was a trip from heaven for Hellrider (Yankee Glide-My Shooting Star, $4.10) in Buffalo Raceway‘s co-featured $9,000 Class B harness racing trot on Friday afternoon (July 12) as he had no issues in cruising to a length victory over Caviar’s Yankee in 1:59.0.

In the other $9,000 Class B trotting event, the rail and another drop in class was the perfect remedy for the heavily favored Gracious Triumph ($2.10) as the mare beat the boys, holding off BJ’s Smitty by a length in 1:57.2.

Born A Rebel ($4.00) took the $9,000 Class B pace as he battled his way to the front end early and then easily crushed Bold Bet by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:55.4.

In the opener, Hellrider (David McNeight III) watched the front stepping SS Tys Aflyin jump out to an early lead. After a couple of strides, Hellrider tipped out and fired right back to the top and collected fractions of :29.4, 1:00.1 and 1:29.4.

Turning for the wire, Hellrider enjoyed the advantage but only had to deal with a mild rush at the end from Caviar’s Yankee (Jim Morrill Jr.) but easily notched the three quarter length win. Pennant Seelster (James McNeight Jr.) took the show position.

Co-owned by Caprio Stable LLC, and Maryanne Arena, the 7-year-old Hellrider is trained by Alana Caprio. The victory, his third of the campaign, increased his 2024 bankroll to $18,542 and $84,513 lifetime.

Gracious Triumph (Triumphant Caviar-Sweet Touch), after two consecutive starts from the eight post in the Open II and Class A levels, finally got some class and post relief and took full advantage of it.

Starting from the inside, Gracious Triumph (Morrill Jr.) used her pylon position and stepped off fractions of :29.0, :58.3 and 1:27.4. Down the home stretch, BJ’s Smitty tried to cut into her advantage but just couldn’t get any closer than a length, Ricky B Sharp (Mike Baumeister) took the show position.

Trained by Shawn McDonough and owned by Harry Wortzman, it was the sixth win in 20 outings for the 5-year-old Gracious Triumph. The victory improved his 2024 total to $36,532 and $220,404 in her career.

Born A Rebel (Betterthancheddar-Outlawed Beauty) was on a mission right off the bat in the Class B pace as he was able to win a three-way scrum with Umberto and Leave And Roll. Reaching the lead approaching the opening panel, Born A Rebel (McNeight Jr.) put up splits of :29.0, :58.0 and 1:27.2.

Going down the lane, Born A Rebel was in overdrive as Bold Bet (Monti) and Umberto (McNeight III) could only watch in vain and had to settle for second and third place.

Owned by David Del Pozzo and trained by Christopher Petrelli, the 5-year-old gelded Born A Rebel has now been victorious three times in eight starts on the year. The decision jumped his seasonal earnings to $13,930 and $98,468 lifetime.

Racing continues on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with 12 races slated.

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