Longshots rule, racing then canceled at Buffalo

HAMBURG, N.Y. — Buffalo Raceway presented a pair of harness racing co-features on Saturday night (March 19) and both resulted in big upsets. Track management was then forced to cancel the remainder of the card after the fourth race due to inclement weather.

In the first stunner, Toms All In ($36.60) used a ground saving trip in Buffalo Raceway’s $13,100 conditioned pace and those precious few inches proved to be the difference.

Skimming the pylons from the four hole until the top of the stretch, Toms All In (Kyle Cummings) found some racing room in the passing lane and managed to get a nose in front of Reggiano at the wire in 1:59.3 over the sloppy track.

Then in the $12,500 Open I-II-III Handicapped Trot, Sanchez Rocks tipped three wide in the lane and zoomed past the heavily favored Speed It to notch the $25.20 victory.

The main pacing event saw Wild Bill M take control early and set the tempo of :29.4, :59.1 and 1:29.2. Those fractions proved to be too ambitious as Wild Bill M dropped back quickly turning for home. This allowed for the closers to take their best shots.

Reggiano (David McNeight III) was winging it widest down the lane but Toms All In stayed the course in the lightning lane and nudged ahead at the wire. Reggiano had to settle for the tough luck second place check while Out On Bail (Kevin Cummings) was third.

Owned by Marissa Russo and trained by David Russo, it was the first win of the season in six attempts for Toms All In (Rusty’s All In-Odds On Riesling). The 5-year-old horse has earned $13,095 in 2022 and $85,250 in his career.

In the trotting top race, Speed It and Schnickel Fritz battled it out to the opening panel in :30.2 while Sanchez Rocks (Shawn McDonough) was content and enjoyed the early speed duel from third.

Turning for home, Speed It and Schnickel Fritz began to feel the effects of the early scrum, allowing Sanchez Rocks to cruise on by to post the 1-1/4 length win in 2:02.2.

Sanchez Rocks (Crazed-Steuben Miss) is a 6-year-old gelding who is owned by Marie Houghtaling and conditioned by Ron Houghtaling. Sanchez Rocks is now a perfect 2-for-2 on the season and a winner of $10,050 on the campaign and $86,317 lifetime.

McDonough was able to score a driving double on the abbreviated program.

Racing will resume on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. with a 10-race program scheduled.

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.