Classic American N rebounded off a narrow loss in the feature last week to win the $11,500 Open Pace Saturday, July 14 at Buffalo Raceway by pinning a head loss on the hard-charging Western Conquest in 1:56.0.
For the second consecutive week, the Open Pace was reduced to four entrants with Best Ears and Sir Ziggys Z Tam both scratched due to illness.
This time around, Classic American N got the upper hand early and set the tempo as Western Conquest had to give chase. With fractions of :28.4, :58.0 and 1:27.2, it ended up being a repeat of last Saturday's race between the two.
In the lane, Classic American N managed to stay in front as Western Conquest made a late surge but ran out of real estate. Focus Power took the show position.
Co-owned by the Nick Surick Stable LLC and the J L Benson Stables, Inc. and trained by Sabrina Clevenger, it was the fourth win in 21 starts for Classic American N, by American Ideal-Classic Vicolo. The victory increased his seasonal bankroll to $32,270 and $271,455 in his career. Driven by Billy Davis Jr., he paid $3.90 to win.
Ray Fisher Jr. had four trips to the winner's circle with Davis Jr. getting three. Trainer Russell Bratt had three victories.
Buffalo Raceway will start its final week of racing this year on Wednesday, July 18 at 5 p.m. with a 10-race program slated. It will be the last appearance in 2018 for the New York Sire Stakes at the Hamburg half-mile oval with the two-year-old colt and gelding pacers in action.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)