Beachy Dream put in a gutsy effort and notched the victory in Buffalo Raceway's $12,500 Open Handicap Pace on Saturday night, May 18.
Putting up splits of :27.3, :56.3 and 1:26.1, Beachy Dream braced himself for the expected charge to the finish line. On came Rose Run Ranger to the outside and Heaven Rocks through the passing lane moving to the wire, but both settled for minor shares as Beachy Dream held firm on the lead to win in 1:55.
Owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama, it was the fifth win in 14 outings for the eight-year-old gelded Beachy Dream (If I Can Dream-Beachy Girl). The victory improved his 2019 earnings to $38,295 and $218,435 in his career. Kevin Cummings drove the $12.80 winner.
In the co-featured $11,500 Open Handicap Pace, Upfront Countryboy went from last to first and turned back Charmbo Orbit by a half length in 1:54.4.
After watching Charmbo Orbit set the splits of :28.4, :58.1 and 1:26.4, Upfront Countryboy sat last but began to gobble ground just past the half.
Reaching the lead, Upfront Countryboy appeared ready to drop anchor at the top of the stretch but driver Ray Fisher Jr. re-rallied the 10-year gelding and took the win. Charmbo Orbit held on for second with Andys Ideal finishing in third.
Trained by James Clouser Jr. and owned by William Emmons, it was the fourth win in 15 attempts for Upfront Countryboy (Dragon Again-Cambloid). The win sent his earnings to $37,845 this year and $477,265 lifetime. He paid $11.80 to win.
A F F Bigdaddy took the $10,000 Class A pace with a two-length nod over Focus Power in 1:55.2. It was the fourth victory in 10 tries for A F F Bigdaddy who is owned by Rose Campbell and trained by Steve Kiblin. The win moved his seasonal winnings to $22,440 and $101,465 lifetime. David McNeight III drove the $4.90 winner.
Shawn McDonough and Fisher Jr. had driving doubles while Clouser Jr. collected three training wins and McDonough two.
Racing will resume on Wednesday evening, May 22 with a nine race program set for 5 p.m.
(with files from Buffalo Raceway)