China Dream is known for his late-closing speed, but a change in tactics paid off for him in Buffalo Raceway's $10,000 Open Pace on Saturday night (February 25) by beating Itsonlyrocknroll A by one and three-quarter lengths in 1:55.4 over the 'good' track.

In an uncharacteristic move, China Dream (Shawn Gray) fired off the gate and had to go three-wide to grab the lead as Gallant Major and Thunderbolt Jaxon played hard ball to the opening quarter.

After setting splits of :28.3, :57.3 and 1:26.4, China Dream ($8.40) opened up a commanding four-length advantage turning for home and cruised to the throttled down victory over the favoured Itsonlyrocknroll A (Larry Stalbaum). Knocking Around (David McNeight III) took the show position.

Co-owned by trainer Maria Rice and Jack Rice, China Dream (If I Can Dream-China Art) is a six-year-gelding that has earned $14,620 in 2017 and $187,293 lifetime.

Gray had four victories in the bike with Stalbaum and McNeight III scoring triples. Trainers Kimberly Asher and Gerry Sarama each notched a double.

Racing will return on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with a 12-race program scheduled. There will be a carryover of $2,347 Pick-5, which begins in the second race.

(With files from Buffalo Raceway)