Brookview Darius ($7.34) and driver Brett MacDonald got a perfect trip from the pocket and turned that into a victory in Buffalo Raceway's featured $16,438 conditioned trot on Friday afternoon, March 27.

The even-money favourite, Newsboy (Drew Monti), broke stride in his leave attempt off the gate, thus giving Celtics Whitesox (Kyle Cummings) the uncontested lead. Brookview Darius, in the meantime, was able to settle in patiently from the two-hole for MacDonald. With fractions of :29.1, :58.4 and 1:28, Celtics Whitesox and Brookview Darius broke away from the rest of the field and they were poised for the stretch drive. Brookview Darius found the lightning lane to his liking and easily pulled away for the win by 1-3/4-lengths over Celtics Whitesox in 1:58.4 over the fast track. Whats The Point (David McNeight III) rounded out the top three.

Brookview Darius scored his first victory in three appearances on the year dropping down in class for trainer Sheena Cohen and owner Friendship Stables of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. A six-year-old Swan For All-Whittys Winner gelding, the former Indiana Sires Stakes winner now has 19 career victories and earnings totalling $372,198.

Ontario reinsman MacDonald completed the day with three driving wins, tying with David McNeight III for top honours on the 10-race card. Candace Brandstatter-Hall topped the trainers with a triple, with McNeight driving Motive Hanover ($3.26), My Playmate Gb ($4.92) and Viva Las Vegas N ($4.78).

Racing will resume on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m., with an 11-race program.

(With files from Buffalo Raceway)