Australian newcomer paces to lifetime mark

HAMBURG, N.Y. — Lip Reader A and driver Drew Monti silenced the pacers in Buffalo Raceway’s $14,000 Open on Saturday night (April 6) by putting in a devastating performance against six harness racing rivals. He beat Better Take It by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:53.2 over the fast track while Optical Illusion N was third.

Since arriving from Australia, Lip Reader A has three victories in just five starts in the United States along with a second and third place finish. The 1:53.2 was a career best in his brief stints thus far at Buffalo Raceway and Yonkers.

Runrunjimmydunn N was the early pace setter but before the field hit the opening marker, Better Take It (Kevin Cummings) swooped by the leader and posted an opening split of :28. With an opening half of :56 in the books, Better Take It was preparing for the onslaught about to come from Lip Reader A.

Sitting sixth rounding the clubhouse turn the final time, Lip Reader A began a giant brush down the backstretch, easily picking off horses one by one. With a quarter mile to pace, Better Take It and Lip Reader A broke away from the pack and were ready for the duel down the stretch.

It didn’t take long, however, for Lip Reader A and Monti to show their dominance as he powered himself to the lead and left Better Take It in his wake. A final quarter of :28 sealed the deal for Lip Reader A.

Co-owned by Vogel & Wags Nags LLC and Team Rice Racing, the 10-year-old gelded Lip Reader A (Sportswriter-Strike Lane) is trained by Maria Rice. The win upped his 2024 earnings to $27,180 and $199,698 in his career.

Joseph Chindano Jr. topped the drivers with three victories on the card while Cummings and Jim Morrill Jr. each doubled.

Racing will resume on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a 12-race program to be presented.

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For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

 by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway