Losing by a nose last week, Western Passage got more than his nose in front on the wire to take the $12,000 Open Pace from Buffalo Raceway on Saturday, June 8.
Upfront Countryboy set the fractions over the fast track of :27.0, :55.3 and 1:24.3 as Western Passage sat last of the quintet at the half.
Beginning a first-over trip from there, driver Kevin Cummings got Western Passage on even terms with Upfront Countryboy with a quarter to go. Western Passage proved strongest in the stretch as he opened a length-and-a-quarter lead on Upfront Countryboy to take the win in 1:53.4. China Dream finished third.
Owned by the Finocchario's Dream Stable and trained by Mike Ohol, it was the sixth victory in 16 appearances for the four-year-old gelding. Western Passage (Sportswriter-Forever Western) has now earned $32,936 this year and $238,400 lifetime. He paid $8.00 to win.
In the $11,500 Class AA Open pace, Charmbo Orbit made a big brush to the lead at the three-quarter pole and had just enough left in the tank to register a nose victory over the hard-charging Rose Run Ranger in 1:55.1.
Manceiver set the tempo with splits of :28.3, :57.0 and 1:26.2 but had no answers as Charmbo Orbit stormed by with a quarter mile to pace.
Things looked well in hand for Charmbo Orbit in the lane but Rose Run Ranger came from nowhere and just missed grabbing the win at the wire. Whats Goin On was third.
Owned by Keith Pinkowski and trained by Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr., it was the third win in 15 tries for the eight-year-old gelding. Charmbo Orbit (Mach Three-Pretty Bo Bo) has now earned $22,960 this season and $167,371 in his career. David McNeight III drove the $21.60 winner.
There were a pair of $10,000 Class A pacing events with both producing minor surprises. Falcons Luke and Jim Morrill Jr. took the first division with a coast-to-coast victory in 1:55.1. He beat Littlebitofabrat by a half length and returned $11.40 for the win.
The other bracket saw Southwind Torque and Billy Davis Jr. grind a half-length upset victory over Focus Power in 1:54.4 and returned $13.60 to his backers.
Davis Jr., Buffalo Raceway's leading driver, found the winner's circle five times on the card. Cummings had a triple while McNeight III and Morrill Jr. each collected two victories. Trainers Zdjelar Jr., David Russo, Jim Clouser Jr. and Maria Rice all had doubles.
Racing will continue on Wednesday evening, June 12 at 5 p.m. with a 13-race program slated. The New York Sire Stakes highlights the card with the three-year-old trotting colts and geldings taking center stage along with action in the Excelsior A and B Series. There's also a $1,744 carryover in the Pick 5 which begins in the second race.
(with files from Buffalo Raceway)