02/19/2020
Mr. Buff seeks third straight win in Haynesfield
By NY Hot List Staff
This could be a big year for New York State-breds, especially if Tiz the Law makes a splash in the Triple Crown.
Helping the cause on another front is Mr. Buff, who is coming off an impressive five-length score against open company in the Jazil Stakes.
On Saturday, he’ll return to the New York State-bred ranks, where he’ll be a standout in the $100,000 Haynesfield Stakes at Aqueduct.
Mr. Buff will be seeking a third straight win as he captured the Alex M. Robb Stakes for state-breds on Dec. 28.
That victory in the Robb also marked Mr. Buff’s fourth win in a row in a state-bred stakes, a foursome of races the 6-yearold gelding won by a combined 18 ¼ lengths.
Of the main challengers in the field of six traveling a mile, Syndergaard may be the main challenger. Much like the Mets pitcher at spring training after a lengthy break, Syndergaard will try to shake off some rust while making his first start since May 27.
The 6-year-old horse raced in last year’s Haynesfield, losing by a nose to Honor Up.
Speaking of which, Honor Up returns for Saturday’s edition of the Haynesfield.
He’s winless in three starts since then. Finishing third in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap and then fifth in the Commentator, a stakes in which Syndergaard finished fourth before heading to the sidelines.
Though he was also given a lengthy rest, Honor Up returned to the races Dec. 30 and finished sixth in a state-bred allowance race which served as a prep for Saturday’s race.
Also on hand will be I Love Jason, who has won five of his last six starts. In his last start, I Love Jason beat open allowance rivals in a Feb. 16 race at the same one turn, one mile distance as the Haynesfield.
Twisted Tom exits a Jan. 24 allowance race against state-bred rivals that saw him record a half-length win.
He was also in the 2019 Haynesfield, finishing third, 1 ½ lengths behind Honor Up.
Fleet Irish was in the Jan. 24 allowance race with Twisted Tom, winding up a half-length behind in second.