After four consecutive second-place finishes, Aritzia Hanover ($4.80) wiped away the runner-up blues by capturing Buffalo Raceway's featured $9,000 pace on Wednesday night (May 2) in a seasonal best 1:57.1 over a fast track.
Drew Monti in the meantime had no issues finding the winner's circle, as he posted a six-bagger to take over the lead in the driver's standings. Monti now has 66 victories and holds a four-win advantage over Shawn Gray, who sits in second place with 62.
Starting the from rail, Aritzia Hanover (Billy Davis Jr.) played hardball to the opening quarter pole, snuffing out leave attempts from Validus Deo and Sgt Molly Pitcher.
After rating fractions of :28.4, :58.3 and 1:28.3, the pacesetting Aritzia Hanover was primed for the closers. Validus Deo lost any chance by jumping off stride in the passing lane, but Hey Kobe (Jim Morrill Jr.) was in hot pursuit on the outside.
Aritzia Hanover managed to cling to a narrow neck victory as Hey Kobe drifted wide in deep stretch to come up just short. Sgt Molly Pitcher (Ron Beback Jr.) took the show position.
Co-owned by the Vogel & Wags Nags Stable and Pine Hill Racing Ltd., it was the third win in 10 attempts in 2018 for the seven-year-old mare Aritzia Hanover (Bettors Delight-Attitude Hanover). The victory pushed her earnings this year to $21,760 and $176,521 lifetime.
Davis Jr. had a double on the card while trainer JD Perrin scored a pair of wins.
Racing will resume on Saturday night with an 11-race program. A special post time of 7:00 p.m. accommodates the running of the Kentucky Derby.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, race replays, results, entries and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.
(Buffalo Raceway)