Despite a sloppy race track, the six-year-old gelding Focus Power slogged his way to victory in Buffalo Raceway's $9,600 featured pace on Saturday, April 28.
Catching the spray of pace-setting Linkjack Hanover for over a half mile, driver Drew Monti and Focus Power had enough and pulled out midway down the backstretch the final time.
Focus Power sailed clear in the stretch and held off a late charge from Upfront Countryboy to notch the one-and-one-half lengths score in 1:56.3. Linkjack Hanover settled for the show position.
Owned by James Caradori and trained by Darrin Monti, it was the first win in three tries in 2018 for Focus Power, by Shadow Play-Luv's For Ever. The victory pushed his seasonal earnings to $7,968 and $165,935 lifetime. He paid $6.70.
In the sub-featured $9,000 trot, Empire Earl N destroyed the field by rolling to a seven-and-one-quarter lengths score in 1:59.3 over Noble Legend.
Sitting a unhurried sixth as the starting gate moved away, Empire Earl N began his forward march to the top just before the half-mile marker. By the time he reached the top of the stretch, Empire Earl N extended his advantage to six lengths and never looked back. Noble Legend finished in second while Edom Up Blue Boy was third.
Owned by Kimberly Asher and trained by Riley Asher-Stalbaum, Empire Earl N, by Earl-Santa Nita, is a 10-year-old gelding that has three wins in nine starts this season. The victory improved his seasonal bankroll to $18,935 and $180,825 lifetime. Driven by Ray Fisher Jr., he paid $4.90 to win.
Trainer Maria Rice conditioned three winners on the card.
Racing will resume on Wednesday, May 2 at 5 p.m. with an 11-race program slated.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)