Major Megan pulled rank in Buffalo Raceway's $16,438 featured optional-claiming pace for the fillies and mares on Wednesday, March 18 as she easily dismissed the troops by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:58.3 over the sloppy track.

At the start, Major Megan (Drew Monti) had a slight tussle with Bee Okay A (David McNeight III) for early supremacy but took over command to the quarter pole in :28.3. With splits of :58.2 and 1:28.2 registered, the first-over Maidsweet Ir (Joe Chindano Jr.) looked a threat with a quarter-mile to go but she quickly tossed in the towel.

Turning for home, Major Megan was still in command and calling the shots. Just One Bite (Brett MacDonald) made a belated move but had no serious response to Major Megan, who pulled away for her first win of the year. Just One Bite finished second, and Bee Okay A was third.

Owned by the Summer Wind Stable of New York Inc., the six-year-old Major Megan is trained by Ron Beback Jr. The victory was the first in six attempts this season for Major Megan, a daughter of Betterthancheddar-Sgt Molly Pitcher. She has won 22 times and earned $244,713 in 108 starts. The win price was $4.16.

Trainer Angelo Nappo tripled on the 10-race program, winning with Bet Eightthirtyone ($7.32), Blazing Deo ($5.94) and Manclane ($3.52). The trio of victories improved Nappo's seasonal record to four-for-22. The conditioner is approaching the 1,000-win mark, needing 22 more tallies to reach that milestone.

Kevin Cummings won three races on the card, leading the drivers, followed by Drew Monti with a double. Trainers Beback Jr. and David Russo also took two wins each.

Racing will return to Buffalo on Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a nine-race program slated. 

(With files from Buffalo Raceway)