Millionaire Mr. Buff seeks his first graded stakes win in the Westchester

By the New York Hot List Staff // Friday, April 30

The 7-year-old New York-bred Mr. Buff has had a distinguished career with $1.3 million in earnings from 17 victories including 11 stakes wins against state-breds and open company. The only achievement that is missing is a graded stakes victory.

The John Kimmel runner was slated to run in the Grade 3 Excelsior at Aqueduct on April 3, but he had to scratch when he showed signs of colic. Fortunately, he did not get sick and just needed a very brief break from training.

“He’s doing quite well and we’re looking forward to getting him back in since we are now eight weeks since his last race,” Kimmel said. “He’s good and he’s ready to go.”

Mr. Buff has a record of 15: 5-2-2 at Belmont Park and at the one-turn mile distance his stats 12: 3-4-1 are equally impressive.

“He’s training great. He hasn’t missed a beat,” his trainer added. “He’s won the Empire Classic twice there, so he handles the track and he’s been breezing on the main track, so he’s ready.”

Here are the Hot List picks for the Westchester (G3):

The $200,000 Westchester (G3), Belmont Park, Saturday, Race 3.

(6) Dr. Post was last seen racing on the pandemic modified 2020 Kentucky Derby trail. The Todd Pletcher runner did not run in the Derby but along the way was second in the Belmont Stakes (G2), third in the Haskell (G3), and fourth in the Jim Dandy (G2). This will be the 2021 debut for the son of Quality Road. (5) Mr. Buff just keeps winning with victories in stakes against open company in his last two starts. Overall, he has the best speed figures in this field of six. He will be out front early and they will have to catch him. (4) Limonite was claimed in January for $40,000 at Aqueduct, went on to win an allowance, and then get a second and a third in open company stakes for new trainer Amira Chichakly. (1) Wicked Trick will stretch back out in distance for Linda Rice. In his three races this year, he has only top three finishes including an allowance victory at Aqueduct.

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