After making two starts at Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland to begin his 2017 campaign, Studio City had a successful return to familiar territory, that being Buffalo Raceway on Friday evening (April 21) and he captured the featured $8,200 trot with a length victory over Noble Legend in 1:59.2.

Studio City, who had five wins on the Western New York circuit in 2016, made two uneventful starts at Rosecroft earlier this month before shuffling off to Buffalo.

It was a mad scramble for the lead in the early going as Kahoku, Noble Legend and Studio City ($7.70) battled for command. Noble Legend won the dash to the quarter pole, parking out Kahoku along the way while Studio City tucked into the pocket. With fractions of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:29, the race eventually boiled down to that trio who pulled away from the pack. Studio City (Larry Stalbaum) rolled to the lead from the passing lane while a stubborn Noble Legend (John Cummings Jr.) settled for second and a tiring Kahoku (Kevin Cummings) hung on for third.

Co-owned by Scott Woogen and Lisa Denison and trained by Lisa Lederhouse, the eight-year-old gelded Studio City (Conway Hall-Yagot Prestige) has now earned $5,660 in his young 2017 season and $274,370 lifetime.

David McNeight III swept the mid Daily Double with Mr Bricks ($64.50) and Hunter Valley ($85.50) to produce a massive $1,433 payoff. The big bombs also created a $1,712 carryover in the Pick-5 going into Saturday night's 11-race program, which begins at 6 p.m.

Larry Stalbaum had a triple with Drew Monti, Jim Morrill Jr. and Ray Fisher Jr. all doubling in the bike. Trainers Kim Asher and Darrin Monti each had a pair of winners.

(With files from Buffalo Raceway)