Moving to the front early, Focus Power and driver Drew Monti cruised to a one-and-three-quarter length victory over China Dream to take the $11,500 Open Pace in 1:54.4 on Saturday, June 30 at Buffalo Raceway.
Starting from post two, Focus Power wasted little time in gaining the lead off the gate and posted pedestrian fractions of :29.4 and :59.1.
The tempo picked up the second half as Focus Power had to contend with a first-over China Dream with a quarter to go. But there were no anxious moments in the stretch as Focus Power pulled away and China Dream retreated. R M Hawk took third place.
Owned by James Caradori and trained by Darrin Monti, it was the third victory in 10 tries this season for the six-year-old gelded Focus Power, by Shadow Play-Luv's For Ever. The win pushed his 2018 earnings to $28,116 and $189,083 lifetime. He paid $4.60 to win.
Trainer James Clouser Jr. picked up three wins on the program.
Racing will continue on Wednesday, July 4 at 5 p.m. with a 10-race program scheduled. Buffalo Raceway will be dark Friday, July 6 but will have a Saturday evening program at 6 p.m. and a matinee on Sunday beginning at 12:30 p.m. with the three-year-old colt and gelding pacers battling in the New York Sire Stakes.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)