Muskingum handles class hike in Open Trot

HAMBURG, N.Y. — Muskingum (Triumphant Caviar-Abbey Craig) has been sharp the past two weeks so the big jump in harness racing class to the $14,000 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (April 14) didn’t faze her one bit.

Muskingum ($7.20), after winning two straight by 1-3/4 and 2-3/4 lengths against softer company, took full advantage of the rail and went coast-to-coast in beating Blogmaster by a neck in a seasonal best of 1:58.

It didn’t take Muskingum (Joseph Chindano Jr.) long to impose her will on the field as she scooted right to the lead and posted fractions of :28.3, :58.2 and 1:28.1 over the fast track. The favored Jacked was parked out and lost touch approaching the third quarter pole while Blogmaster and Crazy Ritz stayed in contention.

Heading down the lane, Blogmaster (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Crazy Ritz (James McNeight Jr.) each took their best shots at Muskingum, inching closer, but couldn’t overtake her. They had to settle for second and third place respectively.

Owned by Fox Racing Inc. and trained by Maggie Chindano, it was the third win in seven tires on the season for the 7-year-old mare Muskingum. The victory moved her 2024 bankroll to $15,920 and $237,089.

Chindano Jr. and Kevin Cummings led the way for the drivers with three trips to the winner’s circle each.. Samuel Smith put up two victories on the training side of the ledger.

Racing will resume on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a 10-race card scheduled.

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by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway