Lip Reader A back to old self

HAMBURG, N.Y. — It’s been a trying couple of months for Lip Reader A (Sportswriter) but on Saturday afternoon (June 28) in Buffalo Raceway’s $16,000 Open Pace, he made himself heard loud and clear with a resounding two length harness racing victory over Annapolis Hanover in a seasonal best 1:53.2 over the fast track.

After winning the Buffalo Raceway Open back on April 19, Lip Reader A (Drew Monti) had a pair of scratches due to illness and a couple of out of the money finishes at Tioga Downs. But now things appear to have turned around.

Scoring from the inside post, Lip Reader A ($7.00) fired right off the starting gate and registered fractions of :27.1, :55.2 and 1:24.1. Those splits proved to be too ambitious for several challengers as they dropped back at the three-quarter pole in surrender. Annapolis Hanover (Kyle Cummings) and Davey Day Trader (David McNeight III) tried to cut into the three-length edge Lip Reader A established turning for home but only could trim the margin by a length.

Co-owned by Vogel & Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing LLC, the 11-year-old gelded Lip Reader A (Sportswriter-Strike Line) is trained by Maria Rice. It was the fourth win in 19 attempts this season for Lip Reader A who has now earned $27,230 on the season and $288,518 lifetime.

Monti and Jim Morrill Jr. dominated the card with five driving victories each while Joseph Chindano Jr. had two. Samuel Smith notched three wins in the training department with Lester Mullet getting a pair.

Racing will return on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a 14-race card set. The New York Sire Stakes will take center stage with a $110,200 event for the 2-year-old filly trotters. There will also be a $20,000 Excelsior Series race for the lady sidewinders.

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

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway