It was a fantastic day for trainer Maria Rice, who celebrated a training and owning triple at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday, April 9.
The highlight of her success came in the featured $15,714 pace for fillies and mares, where Legal Jeopardy ($22.40) scored a three-quarter length victory over American Jazz (Drew Monti). The five-year-old mare, driven by David McNeight III, covered the mile in 1:58.3.
The race kicked off with plenty of action up front as Mary Kat (Kyle Cummings) took the early lead with Big Bad Mosa (Kevin Cummings) sitting in the pocket. After opening fractions of :29.2 and :59, the pace heated up down the backstretch. Bettor B Sawyer (James McNeight Jr.) moved first-up and claimed the lead at the three-quarter mark in 1:28.4. But Big Bad Mosa was ready to pounce and surged to the front as they reached the top of the stretch. Legal Jeopardy, who was sitting fourth turning for home, powered up on the outside and managed to surge past American Jazz with a strong final quarter of :29.2. Big Bad Mosa held on for third.
In seven starts this season, Legal Jeopardy (pictured above) has finished on the board in every race, including three victories. The daughter of Stay Hungry–Legal Wish has earned $36,484 in 2025 and boasts lifetime earnings of $135,583. The pacer is co-owned by trainer Maria Rice with Jack Rice of Lancaster, N.Y.
Arco N ($4.80) and Whats The Point ($14.60) also found the winner's circle for Rice, with David McNeight III guiding all three of the day's winners.
Racing will continue on Friday afternoon, with a nine-race program scheduled. There's a $1,490 carryover in the Pick 5, which begins in the second race.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)