Mercutio keeps perfect race season going

HAMBURG, N.Y. — Mercutio (Bar Hopping-Frisky Magic) kept his perfect harness racing streak going at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday evening (June 22) as he made it three straight victories by claiming the co-featured $14,000 Open Trot. He beat a hard charging R Royal Port by a length in 1:57.1 over the fast track.

The chalk fest in the featured events continued in the $14,000 Open Pace as Vel Mr Nice Guy (Straight Shooting) wired the field in equaling his season’s best with a 1:53.2 tour over the Hamburg half mile oval. He easily held off the rally of Davey Day Trader by 1-1/2 lengths.

Since arriving at Buffalo Raceway on June 8 from Woodbine, Mercutio has dominated the trotting ranks. With convincing wins coming in the Class A and B classifications, it was time to take on the top sidewinders on the grounds. No problem.

It was an early battle between Mercutio and Treasured Tee. After relinquishing the lead to Treasured Tee, Mercutio (Kevin Cummings) wanted no part of the pocket and quickly scurried back to the top.

With fractions of :28.3, :59.0 and 1:28.2 on the board, Mercutio braced for a final charge down the stretch. R Royal Port (Jim Morrill Jr.) was gobbling up real estate and made a serious run at Mercutio but could get no closer than a length. Power And Grace (Drew Monti) was in time for the show position.

Owned and trained by Shane Arsenault, the 5-year-old Mercutio has now won $54,310 on the campaign and $110,483 in his career. He paid $3.20 to win.

Vel Mr Nice Guy and driver Joseph Chindano Jr. tried to wire the field in last week’s main event but suffered a head setback. This week, he rebounded nicely to grab the victory.

Setting the pace with times of :28.0, :57.0 and 1:25.0, Vel Mr Nice Guy showed the way and was part of a three-horse breakaway with Davey Day Trader and Scribblers. With a panel to go, Scribblers called it a night, leaving Vel Mr Nice Guy to contend with Davey Day Trader down the stretch.

There was little suspense as Vel Mr Nice Guy kept on task and rolled to the win while Davey Day Trader (James McNeight Jr.) held on for second and Better Take It (Cummings) took the show spot.

Owned by Jeff Savidge Racing LLC and trained by Maggie Chindano, it was the sixth victory in 19 outings for the 6-year-old Vel Mr Nice Guy. The win upped his 2024 bankroll to $47,975 and $255,005 lifetime. He paid $3.80 to win.

Racing will resume on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with 14 races slated. There is $383,500 in purses to be distributed on the program. The New York Sire Stakes returns once again with the 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters going for $119,800 while the 3-year-old filly trotters will go to the post with $117,700 on the line. There will also be four $20,000 races in the Excelsior Series.

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by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway