With less than ideal weather and track conditions at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (March 18), it appeared that the times weren't going to be all that impressive. Someone forgot to tell that to China Dream.
Going the fastest mile of the meet with an eye-popping 1:54.3 clocking, China Dream ($3.30) steamrolled the field in the $10,000 Open Pace with an easy wire-to-wire victory over Believe This Bob by two and three-quarter lengths.
With temperatures in the upper 30s, light rain showers and a sloppy track, China Dream seemed to be on a mission to get back to the comforts of his stall as quick as possible.
Using fractions of :28.3, :58.3 and 1:27.1, China Dream (Shawn Gray) posted a :27.2 final panel to erase any hopes the other five participants had of pulling out the victory. Believe This Bob (Drew Monti) took the place position while Littlebitaclass (Jim Morrill Jr.) was third.
Co-owned by Jack and trainer Maria Rice, the six-year-old gelded China Dream (If I Can Dream-China Art) earned his third win in eight tries this season. The victory pushed his season earnings to $22,120 and lifetime bankroll to $194,793.
Larry Stalbaum was on fire Saturday night as he posted a four-bagger. Gray tripled with Monti and Ray Fisher Jr. doubling. Sabrina Clevenger scored two training wins.
Racing will resume on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with a 12-race card scheduled.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)