Rose Run Ranger reverted to his old tactics in Buffalo Raceway's $12,500 Open Pace on Sunday afternoon, June 16, and that plan worked to a three-quarter lengths victory over Western Passage in 1:55.1.
With the field trimmed down to four due to the scratch of China Dream, Rose Run Ranger and driver Ray Fisher Jr. had a choice to make. The equally-capable pacer could set the fractions or sit back and be a closer. He decided to set the pace, posting splits of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:27.3 over the good track. He felt some pressure in the lane from Western Passage, but a :27.3 last frame was good enough to secure the victory. Charmbo Orbit finished in third place.
Co-owned by the Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Rose Run Ranger (Major In Art-A And Gs Finest) is trained by James Clouser Jr. The six-year-old gelding has now earned $48,510 this season and $123,486 lifetime. He paid $3.60 to win.
Clouser Jr. made a training sweep of the main events as he watched Upfront Countryboy dig in late and strut on by a stubborn Lucan Hanover in 1:53.4, equaling his seasonal best.
Lucan Hanover had things his own way through the opening panels of :28.2, :58.0 and 1:26.2 but then dealt with Upfront Countryboy to the outside.
It was a match race down the long Buffalo Raceway stretch with Upfront Countryboy managing to pull ahead just before the finish line. Lucan Hanover had to settle for second while Western Conquest took the show spot.
Owned by William Emmons, it was the sixth win in 19 attempts for the 10-year-old gelded Upfront Countryboy (Dragon Again-Cambloid). The win pushed his seasonal winnings to $53,725 and $493,145 in his career. Shawn McDonough steered the $7.30 winner.
In the first of a pair of $10,000 Class A paces, Adonis Bay found the cones and class relief to his liking and nipped Lots Of Lovin by a neck in 1:54.2 and returned $5.70 to his backers. JD Wengerd sat in the bike.
Focus Power took the second division with a coast to coast triumph over Littlebitofabrat in 1:56.0. Drew Monti guided the $3.50 winner to the narrow nose win.
Davis Jr. completed the matinee with four wins while McDonough and Myers each doubled.
Racing will continue on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with a 12-race card slated. The New York Sire Stakes will highlight the program with the three-year-old pacing fillies competing. There will also be action in the Excelsior A and B categories.
(with files from Buffalo Raceway)