Iluvtomakemoney keeps earning it

HAMBURG, N.Y. — Iluvtomakemoney ($5.10) was making good money with three consecutive but heartbreaking second place finishes in Class AA-Open Handicap harness racing events at Buffalo Raceway. But on Saturday evening (July 10), he was finally able to grab the lion’s share of the $11,300 purse with a 1-1/2 length victory over Black Is Back in 1:55.4 over the fast track.

With three runner up finishes by a length or less the past three weeks, Iluvtomakemoney (Ray Fisher Jr.) made certain that wasn’t going to happen again.

With Black Is Back collecting the lead just before the opening panel, Iluvtomakemoney was sick of second place and went up and retake the lead, using fractions of :29.0, :59.1 and 1:27.3. Turning for home, Iluvtomakemoney was determined to stay on top and used a :28.1 last panel to seal the win over Black Is Back (Jim Morrill Jr.) while Daylight Rush (David McNeight III) rushed in for third.

Co-owned by the Tanah Merah Farms and the Swift Racing Stable, Iluvtomakemoney (Well Said-Symphony In Motion) is trained by Ryan Swift. The triumph upped his 2021 total to $39,230 and $255,333 in his career thanks to six wins in 17 outings.

Keystone Apache (Morrill Jr.) got the perfect pocket trip behind the pace setting CR Blazin Beauty then cruised on by in the passing lane to register a three quarter length victory in the co-featured $11,300 Class A-Open Handicapped Trot in 1:58.1.

CR Blazin Beauty took off early and put up fractions of :29.0, 1:00.2 and 1:29.4 with Keystone Apache patiently waiting in the garden spot. Heading for the wire, Keystone Apache slid down into the passing lane and was able to stride off to the victory. CR Blazin Beauty (Kevin Cummings), the lone mare in the event, was a disappointed second while Mugshot Bro (Shawn McDonough) held on for third.

Co-owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock, Keystone Apache (Explosive Matter-Found An Angel) is conditioned by Maria Rice. It was his fourth victory in 14 tries in 2021, boasting his earnings to $24,392 and $248,054 lifetime.

After competing recently at Pocono Downs and The Meadowlands, Major Asset ($6.50) gave Buffalo Raceway a try and it was a smashing success as he wired the field in 1:54.3 in the $10,500 Class A Pace.

Major Asset (Morrill Jr.) held off the mild bids of Thor De Vie (Cummings) and London Seelster (McNeight III) who took second and third respectively.

Co-owned by trainer Christopher Naedele and Winifred Answeeney, the 4-year-old Major Asset (Art Major-Passionate Beauty) has three wins in 20 tries this season, earning $26,189 and $73,212 in his career.

In the second $10,500 Class A Pace, Seafarer ($3.00) found some rough waters to start the race but driver Ray Fisher Jr. righted the ship and was able to rally back to beat Allstar Energy (Ron Beback Jr.) by a half length in 1:55.1.

After a couple of near disastrous bobbles before the gate swung open, Seafarer spotted the field several lengths and had to drop back into fifth. But a first over journey got Seafarer back into contention and was able to roar past Allstar Energy in deep stretch. Stranger Things (McNeight III) collected the show position.

Owned by the Tanah Merah Farms LLC and trained by Swift, it was the fifth win on the campaign for Seafarer (Captaintreacherous-Baez). The victory increased his seasonal bankroll to $25,479 and $160,923 lifetime.

The final week of the 2021 live racing season begins on Wednesday evening with a nine race program slated to begin at 5 p.m. Racing will then continue on Friday at 5 p.m. with the season finale set for 6 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information including the latest news, race replays, entries and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway