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There was a 22-year gap between drives at Buffalo Raceway for John Campbell when he finally made a return visit in July of 2015. Fortunately for harness racing fans in western New York, they won't have to wait that long again to see Campbell in the sulky.

 

Campbell will return to the Hamburg half-mile oval Wednesday evening (July 13) to drive in the New York Sire Stakes’ stop for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

 

Campbell's return last season was a good one, as he guided Jewels In Hock to an easy victory in the NYSS for three-year-old trotting fillies. While that was his first appearance since 1992, his last victory at Buffalo Raceway before the win in 2015 was back in 1990.

 

The 61-year-old Campbell was elected into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1990. He has won over 11,000 races in his career and has steered his mounts to with purse earnings to over $300 million. He has won the prestigious Hambletonian and North America Cup six times apiece and has also captured the Little Brown Jug three times.

 

Campbell will shuffle back to Buffalo on Wednesday and try his luck in four events, as he is set to steer American Cheque and Eastern Promise in the NYSS and Carmens Fluke and Winter Mint in Excelsior ‘A’ series dashes.

 

There are four $27,250 divisions for the young male trotters.

 

Such An Angel (Credit Winner-Michelles Angel) has drawn Post 7 for the opening leg (Race 2). He beat three of this week's rivals on June 30 at Monticello Raceway by two and three-quarter lengths in 2:01.1, but did it from the rail. Sam Caruso Jr. will be in the bike again and will have to maneuver Such An Angel from the outside.

 

Big Man Ev (Chapter Seven-Possessed By Lindy) finished second to Such An Angel in his last try and will get the services of Andy Miller.

 

Neon Lights (Chapter Seven-Flourescent) looked home free on June 30 at Monticello, but jumped it off in the stretch and finished third (he was then disqualified and placed fourth). Chris Lems will be at the controls and will start from Post 4.

 

Devious Man (Credit Winner-Miss Garland) has received the 3-1 morning line nod for the second division (Race 3). He just missed by a neck to Barn Winner last time out and Miller will start from Post 4 on Wednesday.

 

Optimist Blue Chip (Deweycheatumnhowe-Winning Jonlin) was heavily favoured is his career debut, but broke stride at the gate and finished a distant seventh. Jim Morrill Jr. hopes to keep Optimist Blue Chip on his best behaviour Wednesday. The duo will start from Post 7.

 

Money Macintosh (Credit Winner-Apple Plush) gets the five hole in the sixth race with Miller in the sulky. He was an impressive winner last time out, posting a two length decision over American Cheque in 2:00.3. Money Macintosh is the 3-1 choice.

 

Campbell and American Cheque (Conway Hall-Cheque Lavec) will get another shot at Money MacIntosh, as they will start from Post 3.

 

Lindy The Second (Credit Winner-Lundys Heiress) started from the eight hole at Monticello on June 30 and had the lead, but just missed by a half length and finished third at 27-1 to Barn Winner.

 

The final division (Race 7) will feature local hopeful Barn Winner (Credit Winner-Hallmarker). Owned by Steve and Nancy Pratt of Corfu, N.Y. and Out In The Country Stables of nearby Darien Center, N.Y., Barn Winner hopes to take advantage of the home cooking.

 

He posted three qualifying victories before winning his career pari-mutuel debut, which came in the NYSS at Monticello on June 30 in 2:00. Former Hamburg regular Jeff Gregory will be in town to steer Barn Winner from Post 2.

 

The main threat could come from Zack's Zoomer (Deweycheatumnhowe-Passageway), who was an impressive winner in 1:59.3 at Monticello. Miller will drive him and they drew the sixth position on the starting gate.

 

The Buffalo track record for the two-year-old colt trotters is 1:59.3, set in 2013 by Royal Deceptor, while The Lindy Treaty holds the standard of 2:01.2, established in 2013 for the geldings.

 

The 14-race card will get underway at 5 p.m. There will also be a $597 carryover in the Pick-5, which begins in the fifth race.