Little Santamonica ($6.90) unleashed a furious rally in the stretch and stunned Mach This Way by a head on Wednesday night (Feb. 10) to take Buffalo Raceway's $10,000 Open Pace for fillies and mares in 1:59.2 over the sloppy track.

It appeared that Mach This Way had things under control at the top of the stretch with a brush to take the lead. But Little Santamonica, who was sitting dead last at the three-quarter marker, quickly began picking off horses one by one on the far outside to move into contention. In the race to the wire, Little Santamonica had driver Shawn McDonough holding on tight as the pair zoomed past Mach This Way and Ron Beback Jr., who were left in total disbelief. A sizzling :28.3 final panel proved to be the difference. Charmschooldropout (Jim McNeight) took the show position.

Owned and trained by Jordan Hope, Little Santamonica (Little Steven-Tonianne N) earned her first win in five tries in 2016. The eight-year-old mare, whose last six attempts were at Yonkers Raceway, has now won $5,700 this year and $323,561 lifetime.

Driver David McNeight III continued his torrid pace as he posted a four-win night while Todd Cummings tripled and Ray Fisher Jr. added a double. Trainers Kirk Desmond and David McNeight Jr. each had a pair of victories.

Racing resumes Friday night at Buffalo Raceway with a 12-race card scheduled for 5 p.m. Ronnie Wrenn Jr., one of the top drivers in North America, is slated to participate in 11 of the 12 races.

(With files from Buffalo Raceway)