Bettor B Sawyer proved that being strategic — and a little lucky — can go a long way, rallying late to win the $16,806 featured pace for fillies and mares at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday, May 14.

With American Jazz (Kevin Cummings) setting the tempo through fractions of :28.1, :57.1 and 1:26.4, the field tightened approaching the far turn. A three-wide bid was underway as Sweet Gadgets (Steven Hudon), Rocknroll Shelli (David McNeight III) and Bolt Of Beauty (Drew Monti) lined up to challenge the leader. But a costly bobble by Sweet Gadgets disrupted the trio, creating a chain reaction that scrambled the field.

Bettor B Sawyer and driver James McNeight Jr., hugging the pylons throughout, steered clear of the commotion and made a well-timed surge in the stretch. With American Jazz beginning to tire late, Bettor B Sawyer powered through along the inside to score by 2-1/4 lengths in a seasonal best 1:56.2 over a fast track. The winner returned $36.20 to her backers. Stonecold Girl (Joseph Chindano Jr.) closed well for third.

Owned by Jose Cervantes and trained by John Leggio, the six-year-old Bettor B Sawyer (Betterthancheddar-Dreamfair Orchid) notched her fourth win in 16 starts this year. This victory pushed her seasonal earnings to $36,955 and career bankroll to $206,451.

Live harness racing resumes at Buffalo Raceway on Friday, May 16, with a 12-race program set to begin at 2:30 p.m.

(With files from Buffalo Raceway)