China Dream lulled the field to sleep with a leisurely half-mile split and strolled to a 1:54.1 victory in Buffalo Raceway's featured $10,500 Open I-II Pace on Saturday, June 16.
Starting from the two post, driver Billy Davis Jr. sent China Dream right to the top, putting up soft fractions of :29.4 and :59.0. From there, the seven-year-old gelding went to work and bottomed out the field with a :28.1 third quarter. Holding a four-length advantage at the top of the stretch, China Dream coasted to the victory.
Classic American N won the battle for second place with Validus Deo taking third.
Co-owned by trainer Maria Rice and Jack Rice, it was the fourth win in 15 starts for China Dream, by If I Can Dream-China Art. The score upped his season earnings to $28,571 and $263,334 lifetime. He paid $6.80 to win.
Shawn Gray finished the evening with five driving victories. James Clouser Jr. had a training four-bagger.
The first matinee of the season comes up on Sunday, June 17 with a 12-race program scheduled for 12:30 p.m. The three-year-old filly trotters are in town for the New York Sire Stakes races along with Excelsior A & B series events.
It's also Father's Day at the track with 'Lucky Exacta Magnets' being given away with chances to win free wagers while the kids can enjoy free snow cones and cotton candy. The track side grill will also be open during the card.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)