China Dream and driver Drew Monti couldn't have asked for a better trip and the pair took total advantage of the situation to notch a one and a half length victory over Knocking Around in Buffalo Raceway's featured $10,000 Open I-II pace on Saturday night (June 4).
After watching Lucky Nadotremblay (Shawn McDonough) cut the half in :57.4, China Dream began a second over trip, following the live cover of Whosurpal (Jim Morrill Jr.).
With a quarter-mile to pace, China Dream ($7.20) tipped three-wide in the stretch, unleashing a :28.4 final panel to easily secure the win in 1:55 over the fast track. Knocking Around (David McNeight III) rallied late and picked up the place position with Lucky Nadotremblay finishing in third.
Co-owned by trainer Maria Rice and Jack Rice, the five-year-old gelded China Dream (If I Can Dream-China Art) earned his sixth victory out of 16 tries this season. The win pushed his 2016 earnings to $41,975 and lifetime bankroll to $131,568.
Morrill Jr. finished the night with five wins in the sulky while Ray Fisher Jr. doubled. Maria Rice registered two training victories.
Racing will resume on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with a 12-race card scheduled. There will be a $697 carryover in the Pick 5, which begins in the fifth race.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)