Mr Perseverance was on quite a terror with four straight victories before being shut down for a little rest and relaxation on December 12. He came back for a qualifier on January 23 and zoomed to an easy six and a quarter length win in 1:57.4. But would those impressive credentials hold up in Saturday's $10,000 Open Pace at Buffalo Raceway?

The answer was a resounding yes.

Mr Perseverance ($4.60) went gate-to-wire once again and smoked the field of five in 1:56.4 over a 'good' track, defeating Youwillwishyouhad by a non-threatening length.

The race looked liked it was going to shape up as a speed duel between China Dream and Mr Perseverance. That didn't materialize as China Dream was a late scratch.

Appearing to be the lone speedster off the gate, driver Ron Beback Jr. and Mr Perseverance took advantage of the situation and toured the Hamburg, New York half-mile oval with little pressure. Posting splits of :28.3, :58.3 and 1:28, the pair had the other four entrants battling for the minor spoils in the battle in the stretch.

Youwillwishyouhad (Kevin Cummings) finished in second-place while Arrived Late (Shawn McDonough) took third.

Owned by William Emmons and trained by James Clouser Jr., Mr Perseverance (Real Artist-Miss Tenacity) is an eight-year-old gelding who now has won $262,849 lifetime.

It was a superb night for Clouser Jr. as he trained four winners on the night. Shawn Gray and Mike Carrubba each had two victories.

Jim McNeight, Gray and Ron Beback Jr. each posted doubles in the sulky.

(Buffalo Raceway)