by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Wicked Elphaba used a 'wicked' brush at
the three-quarter marker and bolted away from the field in the $10,000 Open
Pace for the filly and mares at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (March 2).
For the second straight race, Wicked Elphaba rewarded her
supporters with a big win price. She returned $42.60 for the upset win this
week after notching a $31.40 score in her previous start seven days earlier
against softer company.
Sitting fifth at the half-mile pole, Wicked Elphaba (Ray
Fisher Jr.) shook free down the backstretch and zipped past the pace-setting
Ugly Betty. It was all over at the top of the stretch as Wicked Elphaba opened
it up in the lane, using a 27.4 final panel to leave the other seven ladies in
her wake. She finished the mile in 1:58.3 over the good track and was 5-3/4
lengths ahead of her nearest rival.
The only battle left in the feature was for the minor
rewards and Kesons Silhouette (Truman Gale) skimmed the pylons for second with
Little Santamonica (Shawn McDonough) taking third place.
The victory was the second in six appearances this season
for Wicked Elphaba (Western Terror-Melajusted). She is owned by the Tanah Merah
Farms LLC and is trained by Ryan Swift. The 6-year-old mare has now earned
$14,932 this season and $129,271 lifetime.
Jim McNeight finished the night with four victories in the
sulky, Todd Cummings tripled while Billy Davis Jr. and Jack Flanigen doubled.
JD Perrin had a pair of training wins.
Racing will continue on Friday night at Buffalo Raceway with
a 12-race program slated for 5 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
