It appeared that Chasethecloudsaway had called it a night at the top of the stretch in Buffalo Raceway's $17,500 Open Pace for the fillies and mares on Wednesday (March 22), but driver Jim Morrill Jr. didn't let her give up.
Dragon Sparks put up solid fractions of :28, :57.3 and 1:27.3. Chasethecloudsaway was first up on the outside with a quarter-mile to pace and was on even terms with the leader. Chasethecloudsaway appeared to have had enough for the night as she tailed off straightening out for home. But driver Jim Morrill Jr. re-invigorated the mare once again and was able to snag the win by a half-length in 1:56.3. Dragon Sparks got the place cheque with Lyons Anita finishing in third.
Co-owned by trainer Chris Petrelli and David Del Pozzo, the six-year-old Chasethecloudsaway (Sunshine Beach-Janns Bid) earned her third victory in five starts this year. The victory improved her seasonal earnings to $20,220 and lifetime bankroll to $231,196. She paid $5.80 to win.
She Can Party was in a celebratory mood after taking the victory in the sub-featured $13,100 pace for the fillies and mares. She notched the length win over Free Flyin Ticket with JK Lady Star collecting the show cheque.
Free Flyin Ticket, fresh off a 10-1/4-length romp last week, set the fractions of :29.2, :58.2 and 1:27.2, but was tracked intently throughout by She Can Party heading into the lane. The pair was on even terms as heads turned for home but She Can Party eventually wore down Free Flyin Ticket.
Owned and trained by Lee Dahn, the eight-year-old She Can Party (Bettors Delight-Tea Party Princess) earned her second victory in five starts this season. The win upped her seasonal bankroll to $17,855 and lifetime total to $224,164. Dave McNeight III drove the $13 winner.
There was a pair of $11,200 paces for the ladies on the card. Ashlees Delight ($2.70 to win) didn't disappoint as the chalk as she scored a length win over Mach Of Shame for Chindano Jr. in 1:58. In the second division, Sudden Change N ($9.30) and Rawlings went straight to the lead and held off a hard-charging Fox Valley Charliz in 1:57.3. It was the 50th lifetime victory for 12-year-old Sudden Change N.
In the lone $11,200 conditioned trot, driver Kevin Cummings guided Silver Buckeye ($13.80) through the passing lane late to corral the front stepping Le Millenaire in 1:59.2.
Buffalo Raceway announced several schedule changes for the remainder of the 2023 season: Friday, March 31, which was originally a dark day, has now been added to the slate with post time scheduled for 6 p.m. (EDT). Also, Saturday racing that was supposed to begin at 2:30 p.m. on April 1 will stay at its current time of 6 p.m. with the exception of Saturday, May 6 (Kentucky Derby Day). Post time will be at 2:30 p.m. on this date. The Wednesday/Friday racing dates commencing in April will still remain at 2:30 p.m.
Horsepeople can view the updated condition sheet for next week at buffaloraceway.com.
Racing will resume on Saturday evening (March 25) at 6 p.m. with a 13-race card.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)