Driver Drew Monti gave Sportsmuffler ($4.60) a perfect tour around the Buffalo Raceway half-mile oval, and that trip paid off in a well-deserved victory in the $10,000 Open I-II Pace for the ladies on a steamy Wednesday night (May 30).

In taking the featured event, it kicked off a great evening for Monti, as he finished the card with five winners.

At the start, Sgt Molly Pitcher (Jim Morrill Jr.) was parked out to the opening marker by Susies Delight (Ray Fisher Jr.), and that first split of :28.1 eventually would take the starch out of the pacesetter in the end.

In the meantime, Sportsmuffler was able to latch onto the first-over cover of Quicksilvercandy A (Shawn McDonough) through a half of :59. Down the backstretch the final time, Monti couldn't wait any longer to make his move, as he tipped Sportsmuffler three-wide and zoomed to the lead at the top of the stretch.

There were no worries for Sportsmuffler in the drive to the wire, as she paced away to a 1-1/2 length win over Susies Delight in a seasonal best of 1:54.3. Aritzia Hanover (Billy Davis Jr.) took the show spot.

Owned by Rose Campbell and trained by Steve Kiblin, it was the third victory in eight starts this year for Sportsmuffler (Sportsmaster-Whatiftheresmore). The six-year-old mare has put $21,053 in the bank this year and $233,908 lifetime.

Racing will continue on Friday night (June 1) at Buffalo Raceway, with an eight-race program set for 5:00 p.m. There is a $1,183 carryover in the Pick-5, which begins in the second race.

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

(Buffalo Raceway)