A subtle move off the starting gate didn't appear that it would make that much of a difference but it sure did in Buffalo Raceway's $16,712 'Class A' Open Pace for the fillies and mares on Wednesday afternoon. May 15.

Arco N ($25), starting from the eight post, was able to find a seat fourth in the early going and that helped her to get into perfect striking position later in registering a half-length victory over McNatural L in 1:56.1. The pacesetting Imprincessgemma A took the show position.

Driver Drew Monti was able to squeeze Arco N from the outside into the four-spot going around the clubhouse turn while Imprincessgemma A showed the way through sensible fractions of :29, :58.3 and 1:27.3. But things started to heat up the rest of the way.

Arco N used a first-over trip and got into the fray seriously turning for home. Soon, Imprincessgemma A (Billy Davis Jr.) was being attacked by both McNatural L (David McNeight III) and Arco N. Approaching the finish line, Arco N was able to push past Imprincessgemma A and held off the final thrust from McNatural L.

Co-owned by Vogel & Wags Nags LLC and Team Rice Racing, the eight-year-old Arco N (Shadow Play-Special Harmony) is trained by Maria Rice. The triumph pushed her seasonal earnings to $31,515 and lifetime bankroll to $92,739.

There were three $13,699 divisions of the Spring Up Series for pacers that were non-winners of $8,000 USD (mares $10,000 USD) in 2024 and have at least 10 starts on the campaign.

Dakota Roadster ($3.30) was the quickest in the three races with a 1:56.1 as driver Joseph Chindano Jr., who tripled on the card, steered him to a 5-1/2 length victory. Chindano Jr. took another leg by scoring aboard R U Talkin ($15.40) in 1:57.1. Good Lookin Woman posted a $26 upset in 1:58.2 as Kyle Swift guided the mare to a 1-1/4-length win.

Racing will resume on Friday, May 17 at 2:30 p.m. with 12 races. There will be a pair of $11,000 USD events for the trotters in the Spring Up Series.

(With files from Buffalo Raceway)