Muskingum has been sharp the past two weeks so the big jump in class to the $19,178 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (April 13) didn't faze her one bit.
Muskingum ($7.20), after winning two straight by 1-3/4 and 2-3/4 lengths against softer company, took full advantage of the rail and went coast to coast in beating Blogmaster by a neck in a seasonal best of 1:58 with Joseph Chindano Jr. in the bike.
It didn't take Muskingum long to impose her will on the field as she scooted right to the lead and posted fractions of :28.3, :58.2 and 1:28.1 over the fast track. The favoured Jacked was parked out and lost touch approaching the third quarter pole while Blogmaster (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Crazy Ritz (James McNeight Jr.) stayed in contention. Heading down the lane, Blogmaster and Crazy Ritz each took their best shots at Muskingum, inching closer, but couldn't overtake her. They had to settle for second and third place, respectively.
Owned by Fox Racing Inc. and trained by Maggie Chindano, the seven-year-old Triumphant Caviar-Abbey Craig mare earned her third win in seven tries on the season. The victory moved her 2024 bankroll to $21,643 and her lifetime earnings to $242,812.
Chindano Jr. and Kevin Cummings led the way for the drivers with three trips to the winner's circle each. Samuel Smith put up two victories on the training side of the ledger.
Racing will resume on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a 10-race card scheduled.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)