Buff (Credit Winner) recorded his first Open Trot score of the season at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday afternoon as the Jackie Greene trainee outtrotted the favorite home in the final eighth of a mile. The Open field was reduced to five horses after a pair of scratches and when one rival broke at the start, Buff wound up in the pocket spot in the early going. The race’s front-runner Crazycat (Bruce Aldrich Jr) was tested by the favored Cash Me Out (Billy Dobson) who moved first over on the leader before overpowering him past three quarters that went in 1:25.3 in the $14,500 feature. Cash Me Out took over the lead turning for home but Buff came roaring out of the pocket and trotted right past the favorite before stopping the timer in 1:55.1 to record his first victory in the local Open Trot this season. Buff, who was driven to victory by Frank Coppola Jr, paid $15.80 to win while pulling off the Sunday upset while Cash Me Out had to settle for second place this week. On Thunder Road N (Wally Hennessey) came on to earn the show spot. The exacta with Buff over the favored Cash Me Out returned $41.00.
Live racing resumes on Wednesday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee that begins at 12:15pm.
Mike Sardella
Melissa Simser-Iovino
