Buffalo: Pickup Man Hanover sets track record in NYSS

Pickup Man Hanover 'picked up' his first career victory and also set a new track record along the way in taking his $33,600 division of the New York Sire Stakes for the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday evening (June 30).

Covering the mile in 1:56 1/5, Pickup Man Hanover (Billy Dobson) eclipsed the long-standing 2-year-old gelding pacer mark of 1:56 3/5 established by Roadside Delight way back on July 10, 2010.

Other winners in the Sire Stakes included Hurrikane Chuck (Jim Morrill Jr.), who toured the Buffalo Raceway half mile in 1:57, while JD (Mark MacDonald) posted a mild $10.20 upset with a gate-to-wire score in 1:56.

Pickup Man Hanover sat in third until just after the opening panel and breezed past El Pistolero, hitting the half in 59 4/5 over the fast track.

With several breakers scattering the field, Pickup Man Hanover was more than able to hold off a mild bid from El Pistolero (Greg Merton) in the stretch. Jitterbug Flip (Fern Paquet Jr.) finished in fifth but was moved up to third via a pair of disqualifications.

"He was good in the turns," said Dobson, who attributed that as the key to victory by Pickup Man Hanover. "I was surprised we got a track record."

Owned by Dennis and Simone Noud and trained by Monica Krist, it was the first lifetime win for the 2-year-old gelded Pickup Man Hanover (Huntsville-Pilgrims Witchie). The victory moved his bankroll to $25,512.

The heavily favored Hurrikane Chuck ($3.10) didn't disappoint in his bracket as he collected a neck victory over KJ Hunter (Matt Kakaley) while Greg The Leg (Mark MacDonald) was third.

A big brush approaching the first half sent Hurrikane Chuck to the lead but he wasn't out of the woods. Heading for home, KJ Hunter (Matt Kakaley) and Greg The Leg (MacDonald) made valiant efforts but Hurrikane Chuck had just enough to secure the win.

"I used him (Hurrikane Chuck) twice in the race and he gave me a hundred and fifty percent," said Morrill Jr.

Hurrikane Chuck (Huntsville-All The Buzz), trained by John McDermott. has now earned $18,952 in his two career outings.

JD pulled a minor surprise by wiring the field in his leg as the heavy chalk Blue Collar Man broke stride, which helped his cause. Pleaseletmeknow (Kakaley) took second with Howulikemenow Ray (David McNeight III) finishing in third.

MacDonald stated after the race, "I was careful with him on the turns. He's a big horse so I kind of let him drift out to the one and a half path then I'd straighten him out."

Trained by Ray Schnittker, JD (So Surreal-Park N Orchard) put $16,750 in his bank account with the triumph.

Power Blu ($8.20) took a $15,000 Excelsior A bracket with a 1-1/2 nod over Lanjo Lee while Gussy's Trump Card ($3.70) scored a neck victory over Jovian in 1:58 4/5 in the second division.

Mr Deal ($5.10) captured the lone $6,800 Excelsior B event with a solid 4-1/4 length romp over Stewardoftheland in 1:58 4/5.

Morrill Jr. finished the evening with four victories and MacDonald had a driving triple.

Racing will continue on Friday evening at 5 p.m. with nine races on the docket.

-edited release (Brian Mazurek for Buffalo)