Buffalo Raceway had its own version of 'March Madness' in the $10,000 Open Pace on Saturday night (March 19) as Burton Blue Chip delivered a $21.40 upset victory in a seasonal-best 1:56 over the fast track.
Drawing the rail, Burton Blue Chip managed a perfect pocket trip as Western Alumni (Jim McNeight) posted fractions on the front end of :28.3, :58.1 and 1:27.
In the stretch run, the two closers, Youwillwishyouhad and China Dream, were nowhere to be found, thus leaving Burton Blue Chip and Western Alumni to battle it out for top honours.
Driver Lee Dahn gave Burton Blue Chip a little encouragement in the lane and the seven-year-old gelding responded to roll past Western Alumni, scoring the three-quarters of a length decision. Cobble Beach (David McNeight III), the lukewarm favourite, finished in third.
Co-owned by trainer Lee Dahn and Larry Dahn, Burton Blue Chip (American Ideal-Crickets Can Talk) has now recorded two wins in seven tries in 2016. He has earned $12,260 this year and $126,536 lifetime.
Buffalo Raceway's leading driver Jack Flanigen had a three-bagger while Todd Cummings doubled. Trainers JD Perrin and Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr. each conditioned two winners.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)