Hamburg, NY --- Peter Pumpkineater had the last laugh in the featured $9,500 conditioned pace at a snowy Buffalo Raceway Saturday afternoon (February 21) as he rallied in the shadow of the wire to take a head victory over Peenie in 1:59.3.
After scooting off the gate from post four, Peter Pumpkineater looked content to set the fractions. That wasn't going to happen, however, as Peenie re-took the lead to the opening quarter marker and Peter Pumpkineater had to settle back into the pocket.
After watching splits of 30.2, 1:01 and 1:31 put up by Peenie, driver John Cummings Jr. dropped Peter Pumpkineater ($7.40) into the passing lane and managed to poke a head in front at the wire. Peenie (Kevin Cummings) had to settle for second while Rude Boy (Billy Dobson) took the show position.
Peter Pumpkineater (Camluck-Disney Dream) is a 7-year-old gelding co-owned by Tessa Roland and Mark Jakubik. Buffalo Raceway's leading trainer JD Perrin handled the conditioning duties. The victory moved the winner's 2015 bankroll to $11,090.
In the co-featured $8,800 conditioned pace, Union Man Hanover ($6.10) toyed with the field and ran off with an easy 2-3/4 length win over Bakken in 1:59.4 over the good track.
Union Man Hanover (Cummings) played give-and-go with Art's Delight and kept right on going to the winner's circle. Bakken (Ray Fisher Jr.) showed some late kick in the lane to finish in second while Art's Delight (Frank Milby) hung on for third.
It was the first victory of the season for Union Man Hanover (Artiscape-Up Front Rose). The 6-year-old horse is owned by Stephen Andzel and is trained by Alex Giuliani. Union Man Hanover is now a winner of $7,853 this year.
In the quarterfinals of the Niatross Knocking Claiming Series, One Chaser ($4.90) put up the fastest time of the four division winners, going the mile in 2:00.1 with Cummings in the bike.
Shaolin Master (Shawn Gray) took the second leg with a 2:01.1 clocking and returned $5.50. Dragon Ridge ($5.90) won in 2:03 with Dobson in the sulky while Jimmy Whittemore guided Goddess's Justin to a $9.80 victory in 2:03.3 in the final division.
The top four finishers in each race will return next Saturday night for the semi-finals.
Racing will go back to its normal starting times at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night when a 13-race program goes to the post at 5 p.m.