Diamond Cowboy put in a gem of an effort on Saturday night (Feb. 6) to prevail in Buffalo Raceway's featured $10,000 Open Pace by beating a stubborn Beach Hero by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.4.

After finishing a disappointing sixth as the heavy favourite in last week's Open, Diamond Cowboy rebounded nicely for driver/trainer Shawn Gray to score the $14.40 mild upset victory. It was his second Open Pace win in three attempts this season.

It was a battle for the lead to the half-mile marker as Beach Hero parked out Lucky Nadotremblay. A :57.1 opening circuit took the starch out of Lucky Nadotremblay, but Beach Hero continued to roll.

Things started to develop on the backstretch the final time. Diamond Cowboy, who was assigned the outside eight post, made a three-wide brush to the three-quarter pole to pull on even terms with Beach Hero (Truman Gale). In the battle down the lane, the pair were stride-for-stride until Diamond Cowboy managed to nudge ahead late. Beach Hero had to settle for a tough luck second place while Youwillwishyouhad (David McNeight III) took third.

Owned by William Emmons, Diamond Cowboy (Six Of Diamonds-Money For Munchkin) is a secen-year-old gelding with $10,000 in earnings in 2016 and $404,915 lifetime.

In the opening round of the Niatross Knockout Claiming Series, Aberarder Smitty and Flashy Trick shared the fastest times in the five divisions with 1:58.3 clockings. Other winners were Midas Blue Chip (1:59.1), First Of Fun (1:58.4) and Mach It Paid (1:59.3).

Jim McNeight, Jack Flanigen, David McNeight III and Gray each scored two victories on the night while David McNeight Jr. and Russell Bratt had training doubles.

(Buffalo Raceway)