Dealin With Dewey arrived razor sharp from Canada but the question was if that form would carry over into Buffalo Raceway's $20,139 Open Handicap Trot on Friday afternoon, April 18. It sure did.

Following two victories and a second-place finish as a heavy chalk in Ontario, Dealin With Dewey ($8) came across the border and it was worth his while as the Sara Baillargeon trainee was a 1:58.1 winner over the 'good' track in his Buffalo debut with Brett MacDonald in the bike.

Big Baller Beane (Kevin Cummings) showed the way in the early stages of the contest with splits of :29.2 and :59.1. But Dealin With Dewey, who was sitting fourth through the half, went first-over and nudged by Big Baller Beane with a panel to trot, hitting three-quarters in 1:28.3. A battle down the stretch between the two ensued but Dealin With Dewey eventually wore down Big Baller Beane and stepped off to the 1-1/2-length win. Beacon Beach (Jim Morrill Jr.) finished in third.

Owned by his Guelph, Ont. trainer, the seven-year-old Wheeling N Dealin-Rockin With Dewey gelding earned his third win from seven starts on the campaign. A career winner of 20 races, he has earned more than $356,000 lifetime.

In a $17,361 conditioned-optional claiming trot, Valentine Express ($3.80) and Drew Monti took the 'express' and easily subdued Fly Delta (Jim Morrill Jr.) by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:58.

After a mild skirmish to the top with Fly Delta and Crazy Fool (Kyle Cummings), Valentine Express finally cleared to the lead and settled through fractions of :29, :58.4 and 1:28. With the quarter mile to trot, Valentine Express opened up a comfortable two length advantage and toyed with the field the rest of the way to the finish line. Fly Delta won the four-horse battle for second, 2-3/4 lengths behind the winner, with Crazy Fool holding on for third-place honours.

Trained by Jerry Nugent Jr. and locally owned by Rock 01 Stable, the six-year-old Chapter Seven-Cantata gelding picked up his second victory in four attempts this year. The 21-time career winner is approaching the $300,000 mark in purse earnings.

Live harness racing will continue on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. with 11 races ready to go to the post.

(With files from Buffalo Raceway; photo of Dealin With Dewey from a previous win at Woodbine Mohawk Park)