Dead heat for win in trotting co-feature

HAMBURG, N.Y. — Pennant Seelster ($10.00) and Classic Sunny ($8.20) learned a lesson that sharing can be good as the harness racing pair finished in a dead heat for win in Buffalo Raceway’s $9,000 Class B Trot on a perfect Friday afternoon (July 19).

In the other $9,000 trotting division, Ricky B Sharp ((American Native-Cosmetize …$26.60) was able to grind out a first over trip and topped a hard charging Rough Tuff Tested by a length in 2:00.0.

The $9,000 Class B Pace saw Born A Rebel (Betterthancheddar-Outlawed Beauty … $3.50) run his win streak to three in a row with a coast-to-coast victory over Century Grizzly in 1:55.3.

In the opener, Pennant Seelster (Manofmanymissions-Papi Lavec) had a brief bobble at the start and spotted the field a few lengths before driver James McNeight Jr. got him back on task. Meanwhile, Ideal Pack and Caviar’s Yankee played give and go to the opening quarter marker. With splits of :30.2, 1:01.1 and 1:31.2 posted, the real race was ready to start.

With Ideal Pack (Kyle Swift) turning for home first, Caviar’s Yankee (Jim Morrill Jr.) attacked from the passing lane with Pennant Seelster and Classic Sunny (Kevin Cummings) both flying on the outside. It was a bang bang finish as a photo couldn’t separate Pennant Seelster and Classic Sunny (RC Royalty) at the wire in a final time of 2:00.2. Ideal Pack managed to hold on for third.

Pennant Seelster is owned by Rose Campbell and is trained by David Weston while Classic Sunny is co-owned by Anthony Alessi and Fred Yellen with Matthew Rosiek handling the conditioning duties.

In the other trotting co-feature, the favored BJ’s Smitty was able to cut the fractions with times of :29.3, :59.3 and 1:29.3. But the closers soon arrived on the scene and were able to cut into the margin.

Ricky B Sharp (Michael Baumeister) began his first over grind heading down the backstretch the final time and was able to reach the lead midway down the lane. Rough Tuff Tested (James McNeight Jr.) cut into the advantage but ran out of real estate and finished second. BJ’s Smitty (Cummings) was able to collect third place honors.

Owned by Jennifer Signor and conditioned by Jacob Baumeister, it was the third victory in 27 appearances for the 8-year-old Ricky B Sharp. The triumph increased his bankroll to $39,618 and $225,679 lifetime.

Born A Rebel (McNeight Jr.) was able to retake the top early after Century Grizzly roared to the lead. The heavily favored Born A Rebel notched fractions of :28.4, :58.0 and 1:27.3 and was bracing for any threats that were about to come his way.

Nothing materialized as Born A Rebel was able to easily hold back Century Grizzly (Kevin Cummings) by a comfortable three-quarter of a length while Bold Bet (Drew Monti) took the show position.

Owned by David Del Pozzo and trained by Christopher Petrelli, it was the fourth victory in nine attempts on the season for the 5-year-old Born A Rebel. The score moved his 2024 earnings to $18,430 and $102,968 lifetime.

Live racing will conclude this weekend with a 10-race program slated for 6 p.m. on Saturday while there are seven races set for Sunday with a special post time of noon.

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by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway