Benzley Mindale and Golder win divisions of the Bret Hanover Caiming Series
Hamburg, NY---Benzley Mindale, a six-year old The Panderosa gelding, out of the Jate Lobell mare Gently Weeps, won the $6,000 first leg of the Bret Hanover claiming series in 1:59.1, to register his second win this season for owner Michael Torcello, here at Buffalo Raceway Saturday night.
Benzley Mindale ($5.50) driven by reinsman Jamie Dunlap sat a patient fifth as eventual second place finishers Party To A Crime and driver Ray Fisher Jr., cut all the fractions, :29, :58.2, and 1:29.1. A strong back-side brush and a :29.3 last quarter-mile put the winner three-quarters of a length ahead at the wire. Owhatabeachbum (Phil Biehler) came in third.
“He (Benzley Mindale) doesn’t have a lot of gate speed, so he has to do it the hard way,” said Dunlap. “Once he gets going though, he can really pace”.
Trained by Gerry Sarama, the $3,000 share of the winning purse put Benzley Mindale’s seasons bankroll at $9,496, and $72,943 lifetime.
Golder ($4.30) also won a division in 1:57.4 with Jim McNeight in the sulky for owner-trainer Laurie Patistas. Using the same approach as Benzley Mindale, Golder sat fifth for most of the race, then used a strong :28.3 last quarter-mile to sweep by tiring leaders to score his third win of the year.
“I thought I was in trouble”, said McNeight. “But Luckily I snuck out just in the nick of time, and he was really strong in the stretch”.
Racing will resume on Wednesday March 10, with first post scheduled for 6:40 pm.
Fans may enjoy fine food and drinks while playing their favorite horses: call the clubhouse reservation Line at (716) 646-6109, ext. 60149 to reserve a table. An operator will be available on Monday from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Sam Pendolino..........Publicity Director/Public Relations
spendolino@buffaloraceway.com
