Memorable night for Matthew Athearn

HAMBURG, N.Y. — Fond Memories A (Mach Three) and driver Matthew Athearn won’t forget anytime soon their harness racing performances at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (Mar. 8).

First of all, the heavily favored Fond Memories A (Mach Three, $3.70) was ultra impressive in posting an easy 2-1/4 length win over Ball Diamond in Buffalo Raceway’s $17,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace. And for 24-year-old Athearn, the victory was one of three he had on the program.

Fond Memories A let Ball Diamond take the lead early but before reaching the opening panel, Athearn had her cruising to the top.

With splits of :30.0, 1:00.2 and 1:30.4 in the books, it became a two-horse match race between Fond Memories A and Ball Diamond (Keith Kash Jr.) with a final quarter to go. It was no contest however as Fond Memories laid down a :27.2 to draw off by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:58.1. Faithful Desire (Kevin Cummings) was third.

Owned and trained by Larry Stalbaum, it was the first victory in six starts for the 7-year-old Fond Memories A (Mach Three-Forever After). The win moved her 2023 bankroll to $19,290.

In the $13,100 Open II pace for the fillies and mares, Lyons Anita (Lyonssomewhere-Lyons Luck) paying $7.90 was much the best against seven other rivals as she pounded them into submission with an easy 6-1/2 length triumph in 1:58.0.

Scoring from the four post, driver Kevin Cummings sent Lyons Anita straight to the lead and never looked back. Posting reasonable fractions of :30.2 and 1:00.1 through the opening half mile, a :57.4 second half was all Lyons Anita needed to extinguish the hopes the others had in reaching the winner’s circle.

Abuelita Hanover (Athearn) rallied late to collect the second place check while Grant Me This (Kash Jr.) rolled in for third.

Owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Samuel Smith, it was the first victory in three tries this season for the 5-year-old mare Lyons Anita (Lyonssomewhere-Lyons Luck). The win jacked her earnings to $8,630 on the campaign.

In a pair of $11,200 paces for the gals, there were a couple of surprises as She Can Party (David McNeight III) posted a $55.50 decision in 2:00.0 while Foolish Wisdom (Athearn) scored a mild $15.80 victory in 2:00.1.

The $11,200 event for the trotters saw Sanchez Rocks register a $16.40 win under the guidance of trainer/driver Ron Houghtaling. The duo covered the mile in 2:00.3.

McNeight III finished the night with three wins while Kevin Cummings had a double. Stalbaum completed the card with a training double.

Racing will resume on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with a 13-race program slated. There will be a $12,500 guarantee in the Pick 5 which begins in the second race.

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by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway