After a somewhat forgettable start in his seasonal debut back on May 7, Mugshots Bro has been perfect ever since as he scored his third straight victory with a solid 1-1/2 length victory over CR Blazin Beauty in Buffalo Raceway's $15,000 Open Trot on Friday afternoon (May 27).
Mugshots Bro, after getting a fifth place finish in his initial start of 2022, started working his way back up the ladder with two consecutive wins. He bounced back with a victory in a $9,200 conditioned trot and followed that up with a decision in the Open II last week.
Feeling comfortable from the start, Mugshots Bro ($3.70) took early command of the lead as both Speed It and Lougazi both broke stride before the field hit the opening marker. With just four left on gait, Mugshot Bro (Jim Morrill Jr.) used splits of :29.2, :58.4 and 1:28 on his way to a 1:57.2 time over the good track. CR Blazin Beauty (David McNeight III) was second best while Its A Horse (Kyle Cummings) rallied for third.
Co-owned by Herman Niedhammer and Herman Niedhammer Jr., it was the third win in four tries on the campaign for Mugshots Bro (Jailhouse Jesse - Photo Emmy). The 10-year-old gelding, trained by Shawn McDonough, has now earned $18,665 on the year and $300,050 lifetime.
In the sub-featured $11,000 Open II Trot, Photo Bomber (Morrill Jr.) made it three in a row as well by wiring the field in 1:59.4. He posted a three-quarter length win over Mystical Sarabi (Dan Yetman) with Schnickel Fritz (Keith Kash Jr.) rolling in for third.
Photo Bomber, who has seen action in the Open Trot competition at Buffalo Raceway earlier this season, is another fellow working his way back up in class rather nicely.
With scores in the $7,000 and $9,200 levels since the beginning of May, Photo Bomber was no match for the other seven entrants. After putting up fractions of :30.2, 1:00 and 1:29.1, Photo Bomber faced no real danger in the lane in collecting the first place cheque.
Trained by Jennifer Giuliani and co-owned by Terance Miller and Mark Keller, it was the fourth victory in 11 appearances on the season for the eight-year-old gelded Photo Bomber (Explosive Matter - Phannys Photo). His bankroll jumped to $26,661 in 2022 and $316,299 in his career.
Morrill Jr. completed the afternoon with three trips to the winner's circle with Denny Bucceri getting a pair. Greg Johnson and Giuliani each had training doubles.
Live harness racing will resume on Saturday afternoon with a nine-race card slated for 1:30 p.m.
(Buffalo)