Favourites failed in the $10,400 Open events on the Saturday, May 12 program at Buffalo Raceway, with Focus Power and Southern Palms besting the public choices in the Pace and the Trot, respectively.
In the Open Pace, Fireyourguns, starting in his first race of the season, zoomed to the lead off the starting gate and posted some snappy fractions of :27.3, :56.2 and 1:24.4.
Sitting in the third spot with a quarter mile to pace, Focus Power popped out around the final turn, overtaking Fireyourguns to collect the win.
Both Linkjack Hanover and Upfront Countryboy made stout attempts to catch Focus Power in the stretch but finished second and third respectively. The 1:53.1 mile by Focus Power was the quickest of the season.
Owned by James Caradori and trained by Darrin Monti, it was the second win in five tries this season for the six-year-old gelded Focus Power, by Shadow Play-Luv's For Ever. He has a bankroll of $13,936 in 2018 and $174,903 lifetime. Driven by Drew Monti, he paid $8.40 to win.
In the Open Trot, Trooper Jim was parked by Edom Up Blue Boy for over three quarters of a mile. With the final panel to trot, Edom Up Blue Boy surrendered to Trooper Jim, but Southern Palms had the shorter journey and it paid off in victory with a 1:58.0 mile over the fast track. Trooper Jim was second and Sr Radar took third.
Trained by Gerry Sarama and owned by Mike Torcello, Southern Palms, by RC Royalty-Pacific Elegance, is a five-year-old gelding who has three victories in nine tries this season. He has won $19,476 on the campaign and $213,591 in his career. Driven by Kevin Cummings, he paid $9.90 to win.
Shawn Gray scored six victories on the 13-race program. It was also a good evening for the tandem of driver Ray Fisher Jr. and trainer Ryan Swift as they teamed up to capture four races. Fisher Jr. completed the night with five wins.
Trainer James Clouser Jr. had three winners on the night.
Racing will continue on Wednesday, May 16 at 5:00 p.m. with a 12-race program scheduled. There's a $770 carryover in the Pick-5, which begins in the second race.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)