In the past three weeks, Empire Earl N teased the fans with in-the-money finishes but came up empty in the win column. He turned things around in a big way on Friday night (June 15) in Buffalo Raceway's $11,500 Open Trot by erasing those bitter memories with a half-length decision over B Z Glide.

While the win was more than well deserved, the victory didn't come easy either.

Empire Earl N, Buffalo Raceway's 2017 Trotter of the Year, needed a career-best 1:57 mile to get the job done. His lifetime mark was 1:57.1, established last season at Batavia Downs.

B Z Glide (Mike Caprio) was the quickest off the starting gate and put up panels of :28.2, :58.2 and 1:28.3. Empire Earl N (Drew Monti) drafted along perfectly in second while Barn Winner (Ray Fisher Jr.) was first-over with a quarter-mile to trot.

It was a mad dash to the wire with Empire Earl N rushing through the passing lane to snag the popular $4.10 victory while B Z Glide and Barn Winner had to settle for second and third-place, respectively.

Owned by Kimberly Asher and trained by Riley Asher-Stalbaum, Empire Earl N (Earl-Santa Nita) has found the winner's circle five times in 16 appearances in 2018. The 10-year-old gelding has produced $38,913 in earnings this season and $200,753 lifetime.

Racing will resume on Saturday evening with a nine-race card slated for 6 p.m. There is a $795 carryover that awaits in the Pick-5, which begins in the second race.

(With files from Buffalo Raceway)