Mugshots Bro romps in Open trot

HAMBURG, N.Y. — Mugshots Bro wasted little time in getting the lead and never looked back after that, convincingly taking Buffalo Raceway’s $11,500 Class A-Open Handicapped Trot on Friday evening (July 16) in a seasonal best of 1:56.2.

He romped to an easy two length victory over CR Blazin Beauty while Allie was third.

Usually a dead closer, trainer/driver Shawn McDonough decided to fire Mugshots Bro ($10.80) off the starting gate from the outside eight post and that maneuver proved to be the right call.

Setting fractions of :29.2, :59.4 and 1:28.3 over the fast track, Mugshots Bro put up a last quarter mile in :27.4 which more than sealed the deal.

Co-owned by Herman Niedhammer and Herman Niedhammer Jr., it was the fourth win in nine starts on the season for the 9-year-old gelded Mugshots Bro (Jailhouse Jesse-Photo Emmy). The victory upped his seasonal earnings to $27,991 and $245,963 lifetime.

In the sub-featured $8,600 Class A-B Handicapped Trot, Noble Legend (Jim Morrill Jr.) went off as the 1-9 choice and had to work hard until the very last step to beat Art Of Duty by a head in 1:57.3.

Setting the tempo with splits of :29.0, :58.3 and 1:27.2, Noble Legend ($2.30) appeared to have things under control heading down the lane but started to get a bit leg weary.

Art Of Duty (McDonough) in the meantime still had plenty of trot from the garden spot but just couldn’t squeak past Noble Legend at the wire. Simonthediamond (Dan Yetman) finished in third.

Co-owned by Vogel & Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock, Noble Legend (Kadabra-Lovin It) is trained by Maria Rice. The 9-year-old gelding has four victories in 20 attempts on the year and his bankroll moved up to $24,690 on the campaign and $344,074 lifetime.

Morrill Jr. completed the night with a driving triple while Kyle Cummings collected a double. Judith Blaun had a pair of training victories.

The 2021 season will come to a close on Saturday night at Buffalo Raceway as an eight-race card is scheduled for 6 p.m. There will be various year-end awards announced during the evening and free programs will be handed out to all those in attendance.

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by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway