Quebec-bred Naked News won the battle and ended up winning the war too.
All six horses in the $10,500 Open Pace at Buffalo Raceway had a shot at some point of taking the winner's share of the pot Saturday night (May 24), but it was the gutsy front-running Naked News who fought off all challengers and took home top honours.
Starting from the rail, Naked News (Ron Beback Jr.) set the pace with a :58.1 opening half. The field was double-decked down the backstretch the final time with all having a solid chance. Big Unit, who was first over, actually managed a stick a head in front near the three-quarter pole, but Naked News rebuffed that threat.
Then as the field fanned out for the drive to the wire, it was Naked News who showed plenty of heart and won the battle as Closing Credits (Jack Flanigen) and Sand Savage (Drew Monti) made serious late bids, but had to settle for second and third, respectively.
Naked News, who won by three-quarters of a length, covered the mile in a seasonal best 1:55.3 over the fast track and returned a healthy $19.40 to his backers.
The victory was the second of the season for Naked News, who is trained by Bob Gruber III and co-owned by Gruber III and the Summer Wind Stable of New York. The win jacked the 11-year-old gelding's earnings to $24,206 in 2014 and $296,914 lifetime.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)