by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Despite a sloppy, wet race track, Focus
Power didn't lose sight of the winner's circle as the 6-year-old gelding
slogged his way to the victory in Buffalo Raceway's $9,600 featured pace on
Saturday night (April 28).
Catching the front end spray of the pace setting Linkjack
Hanover for over a half mile, driver Drew Monti and Focus Power had enough and
pulled out midway down the backstretch the final time.
Getting relief from the mud, Focus Power ($6.70) found it
clear sailing in the stretch and held off a late charge from Upfront Countryboy
(Shawn Gray) to notch the 1-1/2 length decision in 1:56.3. Linkjack Hanover (JD
Perrin) settled for the show position.
Owned by James Caradori and trained by Darrin Monti, it was
the first win in three tries in 2018 for Focus Power (Shadow Play-Luv's For
Ever). The victory pushed his seasonal earnings to $7,968 and $165,935
lifetime.
In the sub-featured $9,000 trot, Empire Empire N ($4.90)
destroyed the field by rolling to an easy 7-1/4 length score in 1:59.3 over
Noble Legend.
Sitting a unhurried sixth as the starting gate moved away,
Empire Earl N began his forward march to the top just before the half mile
marker. By the time he reached the top of the stretch, Empire Earl N (Ray
Fisher Jr.) extended his advantage to six lengths and never looked back. Noble
Legend (Billy Davis Jr.) finished in second while Edom Up Blue Boy (Rock Vinci)
was third.
Owned by Kimberly Asher and trained by Riley Asher-Stalbaum,
Empire Earl N (Earl-Santa Nita) is a 10-year-old gelding that has now posted
three wins in nine attempts. The victory improved his seasonal bankroll to
$18,935 and $180,825 lifetime.
Davis Jr. finished the evening with a four-bagger while
Fisher Jr. and Monti tripled. Trainer Maria Rice conditioned three winners
while Asher-Stalbaum had a pair.
Racing will resume on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with an
11-race program slated.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results, entries and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
