Validus Deo let Sgt Molly Pitcher do the heavy lifting in Buffalo Raceway's featured $8,400 pace on Wednesday night (May 9), but when it counted the most, Validus Deo proved to be the strongest in the end.

After following the pace-setting Sgt Molly Pitcher, Validus Deo (Kevin Cummings) popped the pocket in the lane and took a three-quarter-length decision in 1:55 over a fast track to pull off a $16.00 surprise.

Sgt Molly Pitcher (Jim Morrill Jr.) had things her own way through fractions of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:27. Validus Deo, the lone male in the race, was anxious to make a move around the final turn and couldn't wait any longer. Tipping to the outside, Validus Deo was slowly but surely able to wear down Sgt Molly Pitcher in the lane to score his fourth win in 13 tries in 2018. Rock My World (John Cummings Jr.) used a pylon-skimming trip to take third.

Co-owned by Cummings, Matthew Rosiek and Robert Johnson, the eight-year-old gelding (Lis Mara-Madam Countess) has now put $17,748 in the bank this season and $523,169 lifetime.

Ray Fisher Jr. completed the evening with a driving triple while Billy Davis Jr. and Cummings doubled.

Racing will return on Saturday night (May 12) at 6:00 p.m. with a 13-race card scheduled.

For more information including the latest news, simulcast schedule, upcoming promotions, race replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.

(Buffalo Raceway)