by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It was a select field of five in Buffalo
Raceway's $11,500 Open Pace on a steamy Saturday night (June 30) so strategy
wasn't at a premium. But Focus Power and driver Drew Monti made the right move
early and cruised to an easy 1-3/4 length victory over China Dream in 1:54.4
over the fast track.
Starting from the two post, Focus Power ($4.60) wasted
little time in gaining the lead off the gate and posted rather pedestrian
fractions of :29.4 and :59.1 in saying 'come and get me'.
The tempo picked up the second half as Focus Power had to
contend with a first-over China Dream (Billy Davis Jr.) with a panel to go. But
there were no anxious moments in the stretch as Focus Power pulled away thanks
to a :27.4 last quarter and China Dream retreated. R M Hawk (Kevin Cummings)
took third place.
Owned by James Caradori and trained by Darrin Monti, it was
the third victory in 10 tries this season for the 6-year-old gelded Focus Power
(Shadow Play-Luv's For Ever). The win pushed his 2018 earnings to $28,116 and
$189,083 lifetime.
Drew Monti finished the night with four victories in the
sulky with Shawn Gray adding three. Trainer James Clouser Jr. picked up three
wins and Darrin Monti a pair.
Racing will continue on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. with a
10-race program scheduled. Buffalo Raceway will be dark this 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 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers battling in
the New York Sire Stakes.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, simulcast schedule, race replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
