HAMBURG, N.Y. — Noahs Mill ($7.80) saved ground and used a perfect pocket trip to register a neck harness racing victory over Iluvtomakemoney in Buffalo Raceway’s featured $12,300 Class AA-Open Handicapped Pace on Saturday evening (July 3).
Starting from the inside hole and fresh off a strong 3-3/4 length win last week, Noahs Mill (Kevin Cummings) followed behind the pace setting Iluvtomakemoney (Ray Fisher Jr.) through panels of :28.3, :57.3 and 1:25.2 over the fast track.
Turning for home Iluvtomakemoney, who has now finished second in three consecutive starts in Open company, looked strong on the lead but just couldn’t hang o
n as Noahs Mill found a wide open passing lane and used it to rally for the score in 1:54.2. Southwind Onyx (Kyle Cummings) took the show position.
Conditioned by Jennifer Giuliani and owned by Terence Miller, it was the third victory in 18 outings for the 6-year-old Noahs Mill (Camluck-Tarport Baccarat). The triumph moved his winnings on the season to $24,822 and $128,423 in his career.
After stringing together four victories in a row earlier this season, R J P was stuck in a mild slump with two straight setbacks. He broke out of those doldrums in the $10,500 Class A-AA Handicapped Pace with a hard fought three quarter length decision over a tough luck Thor De Vie in a seasonal best of 1:54.4.
Setting out to take command early in the
race, R J P ($19.80) stepped off fractions of :28.1, :57.0 and 1:25.4. Things got dicey in the lane as pacers were coming from all angles but driver Denny Bucceri kept R J P on task and held off a charging Thor De Vie (Cummings) and Dojea Solo (Shawn McDonough) who placed second and third respectively.
Co-owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Jack Piatt and Purnel & Libby, R J P (Somebeachsomewhere-Vysoke Tatry) is trained by Jim Clouser Jr. The victory improved his 2021 bankroll to $33,466 and $353,705 in his career.
London Seelster ($5.40) fired off to the lead and never looked back in posting the victory in the $10,500 Class A pace in a seasonal best time of 1:54.4.
Scoring from the three post, London Seelster (David McNeight III) had little resistance in clearing to the lead and put up splits of :29.1, :58.0 and 1:26.3 along the way. There were no serious challengers down the stretch as London Seelster crossed the finish line a comfortable two lengths in front. Mr Ham Sandwich (Bucceri) was able to nudge out Hold The Gold (Jim Morrill Jr.) for second place.
Co-owned by McNeight III and James Costa, the 7-year-old gelded London Seelster (Camluck-Legacy) is trained by Cassandra Johnson. The win moved his seasonal earnings to $19,327 and $205,249 lifetime.
McNeight III had a driving triple and Kevin Cummings doubled.
Racing will continue on Wednesday evening with a 12-race card set for 5 p.m. The New York Sire Stakes will make its final final appearance of the 2021 campaign. The 2-year-old filly pacers will take the center stage with a pair of $50,000 events and two $15,000 Excelsior A races. There will be a $6,300 Excelsior B contest that will be a non-betting affair slated to go off at 4:30 p.m.
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by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway