Stratosphere was shot into orbit by driver Drew Monti right before the opening panel, and that bold brush proved to be the difference as the six-year-old gelding collected the victory in Buffalo Raceway s $11,000 Class AA-Open Handicapped Pace on Saturday night (May 22).
Sitting third behind Santana Beach and Thor De Vie approaching the opening marker, Stratosphere wasn t pleased with the action on the front so he took control of matters, firing to the lead.
With splits of :28.4, :57.2 and 1:26, Stratosphere was ready to face the challenges that awaited him in the home stretch. Daylight Rush gave it a good try but couldn t get by Stratosphere as he finished a half length in front in 1:54.1. Santana Beach and Under Paid finished in a dead heat for third.
There was no breather for Stratosphere in Buffalo Raceway s $10,500 Class AA-Open Handicapped Pace on Saturday night (April 24), but he was more than up to the persistent challenges in taking a half-length win over Mr Ham Sandwich in 1:54.1, the fastest mile of the 2021 meet.
After collecting the lead just before the opening panel, Stratosphere (Drew Monti) was under constant siege during the entire tour around the half-mile oval.
First it was Santana Beach who parked alongside Stratosphere for the first half. After Santana Beach threw in the towel, Mr Ham Sandwich and Iluvtomakemoney then took their turns at Stratosphere.
While giving it their best shots, Stratosphere was more than up for the challenge and gamely crossed the finish line ahead of Mr Ham Sandwich and Iluvtomakemoney.