Fond Memories A and driver Matthew Athearn won't forget anytime soon their performances at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (March 8).
First of all, the heavily favoured Fond Memories A was ultra impressive in posting an easy win over Ball Diamond in Buffalo Raceway's $17,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace. And for 24-year-old Athearn, the victory was one of three he had on the program.
Fond Memories A let Ball Diamond take the lead early but before reaching the opening panel, Athearn had her cruising to the top. With splits of :30, 1:00.2 and 1:30.4 in the books, it became a two-horse match race between Fond Memories A and Ball Diamond with a final quarter to go. It was no contest, however, as Fond Memories laid down a :27.2 to draw off by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:58.1. Faithful Desire was third.
Owned and trained by Larry Stalbaum, the seven-year-old Fond Memories A earned her first victory in six starts this year. The win moved her 2023 bankroll to $19,290. She paid $3.70 to win.
In the $13,100 Open II Pace for the fillies and mares, Lyons Anita was much the best against seven other rivals as she pounded them into submission with an easy 6-1/2-length win in 1:58.
Scoring from post four, driver Kevin Cummings sent Lyons Anita straight to the lead and never looked back. Posting reasonable fractions of :30.2 and 1:00.1 through the opening half-mile, a :57.4 second half was all Lyons Anita needed to extinguish the hopes the others had in reaching the winner's circle.
Abuelita Hanover rallied late to collect the second place cheque while Grant Me This rolled in for third.
Owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Samuel Smith, the five-year-old mare Lyons Anita earned her first victory in three tries this season. The win jacked her earnings to $8,630 on the campaign. She paid $7.90 to win.
In a pair of $11,200 paces for the gals, there were a couple of surprises as She Can Party posted a $55.50 decision in 2:00 while Foolish Wisdom scored a mild $15.80 victory in 2:00.1.
The $11,200 event for the trotters saw Sanchez Rocks register a $16.40 win under the guidance of trainer/driver Ron Houghtaling. The duo covered the mile in 2:00.3.
McNeight III finished the night with three wins while Kevin Cummings had a double. Stalbaum completed the card with a training double.
Racing will resume on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. (EST) with a 13-race program. There will be a $12,500 guarantee in the Pick 5, which begins in the second race.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)