A game victory at Buffalo

Gamesmanship, an 8-year-old Yankee Glide gelding, went wire to wire in 2:01.4 to win the $10,000 Featured Trot for owners Marc Vogel and R. Scott Wagner on Friday night at Buffalo Raceway. Capably driven by reinsman Ken Holliday, Gamesmanship made every pole a winning one beating six rivals for his second win of the 2007 season over a track rated "good."

Setting fractions of :30.1, 1:00.3 and 1:31.2 to the three-quarter mark, Gamesmanship and Holliday beat second-place finisher Imagianthit and driver Keith Kash Jr. by 3 ¾ lengths. Crown Land (Jack Flanigen) came in the show spot.

“The last two weeks, he just couldn’t handle the track,” said driver Holliday. "Tonight he felt great and didn’t have any problems.”

The $5,000 share of the winning purse put Gamesmanship’s 2007 bankroll at $13,575 and $139,290 lifetime. Sherri Holliday, (Ken’s wife) who is having a fantastic year with 14 wins in 39 starts, is the trainer. Going off as the third choice in the betting, the winner paid $9.20 to win.

Recently claimed SA Lemon Chip won Friday’s $6,250 Open II Trot for new owners Denise and Russell Williams of Ransomville, N.Y. The 6-year-old Pine Chip gelding driven by Kevin Cummings, scored a three-quarter-length victory over Striking Iliad and driver Jim McNeight in 2:04.1, a new season's best, for his second win of the year.

“He still needs a couple of adjustments,” said winning driver Cummings. “But I like him so far.”

Leaving from post position two in the field of seven, Sa Lemon Chip and Cummings fought hard to get the lead, which they did just past the quarter pole. Once in front they took command of the race and left little doubt they were the best on this cold and windy night. R Hey Burner and driver Ken Holliday came in third.

The $3,125 share of the winning purse boosted SA Lemon Chip’s 2007 bankroll to $7,045 and $40,412 lifetime. Going off as the favorite in the race he paid $4.70 to win. John Cummings Sr. is the new trainer.

Four drivers recorded racing doubles. Besides Gamesmanship, Holliday also took race number seven, (Mrs. Robinson, $2.80). Cummings' other victory was in race number 10, (Rose Street Doll, $16). Vern Smith scored in the first with (Pinnacle Express, $4.20) and in the eighth with (Mr. Trentonian, $8.70).

Reinsman Keith Kash Jr. got closer to the 1,000 win plateau with his 985th win aboard (Kick Sand, $15.60) in the second, and then added (Cam’s Rawhide, $7.50) in the fifth. (Buffalo)

« Back