by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- With less than ideal weather and track
conditions at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (March 18), it appeared that
the times weren't going to be all that impressive.
Someone forgot to tell that to China Dream.
Going the fastest mile of the meet with an eye-popping
1:54.3 clocking, China Dream ($3.30) steamrolled the field in the $10,000 Open
Pace with an easy wire-to-wire victory over Believe This Bob by 2-3/4 lengths.
With temperatures in the upper 30s, light rain showers and a
sloppy track, China Dream seemed to be on a mission to get back to the comforts
of his stall as quick as possible.
Using fractions of 28.3, 58.3 and 1:27.1, China Dream (Shawn
Gray) posted a 27.2 final panel to erase any hopes the other five participants
had of pulling out the victory. Believe This Bob (Drew Monti) took the place
position while Littlebitaclass (Jim Morrill Jr.) was third.
Co-owned by Jack and trainer Maria Rice, it was the third
win in eight tries this season for the 6-year-old gelded China Dream (If I Can
Dream-China Art). The victory pushed his season earnings to $22,120 and
$194,793 lifetime.
Larry Stalbaum was on fire Saturday night as he posted a
four-bagger, Gray tripled with Monti and Ray Fisher Jr. doubling. Sabrina
Clevenger scored two training wins.
Racing will resume on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with a
12-race card scheduled.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
