China Dream had a dream trip in the $10,000 Open Pace at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (Jan. 23), coasting to a half-length upset victory in a brisk 1:55.4 over the fast track.

After battling momentarily with Wild Shot Hanover around the first turn, driver Jack Flanigen and China Dream settled into the lead and posted fractions of :28, :57.4 and 1:27.1 past the three-quarter marker. The pacesetting China Dream was awaiting a charge from the closers in the stretch, including the favoured Diamond Cowboy, but nothing of consequence developed. China Dream ($20.20) had a snappy last panel of :28.3 to help spring the surprise win. Listowel (Ron Beback Jr.) showed late pace to take second-place while Wild Shot Hanover (Truman Gale) finished in third.

Owned by Jack and Maria Rice, China Dream (If I Can Dream-China Act) has a win and second-place finish in a pair of 2016 starts, putting $7,500 in the bank. Saturday's win also moved the five-year-old gelding's lifetime earnings to $97,093. Maria Rice handles the training duties.

Shawn Gray, Ron Beback Jr., Shawn McDonough and Kevin Cummings all had a pair of wins in the sulky. Trainer JD Perrin posted two victories on the program.

(With files from Buffalo Raceway)