Moneymakehersmile was all smiles at the finish line as she collected the cash by winning the $15,500 Open Pace for the filly and mares on Wednesday afternoon (April 5) at a soggy Buffalo Raceway.
It was a tough outside grind for Moneymakehersmile but she was stubborn and never gave up. First, she had to get past the pacesetting Dragon Sparks then hold back a final charge from Miss Rockadali in what resulted in a three-way photo.
Dragon Sparks, after relinquishing the lead early to Miss Rockadali, retook the top at the quarter pole and posted fractions of :28.2, :58 and 1:27.2 over the "sloppy" racing strip. It was a three-way battle down the stretch with Moneymakehersmile able to punch her way to the top from the outside, registering a head win in a snappy 1:56.3. Miss Rockadali had to settle for the disappointing second-place cheque while Dragon Sparks was a tough-luck third.
Owned by Royal Rock Racing and trained by Candace Brandstatter, seven-year-old Moneymakehersmile (Mach Three-Whycantiforgetyou) earned her second victory of the season in eight outings. The win moved her seasonal earnings to $19,207 and lifetime bankroll to $233,332. Luke Hanners drove the $5.80 winner.
In the sub-featured $11,500 conditioned pace for the ladies, Bank The Win ($3.30) banked her third victory in her last four starts with a 2-3/4-length nod over Ruthmae Hanover in a solid 1:58 mile. Isla Seelster was third.
Driven by David McNeight III, Bank The Win used solid fractions of :29.3, :58.4 and 1:28.3 in rolling to the win. She left little doubt heading down the stretch who was getting the photo opportunity as Ruthmae Hanover and Isla Seelster came from far back just to earn the minor rewards.
Trained by Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr. and owned by Curtis Edholm, four-year-old Bank The Win (Roddys Bags Again-Winbak Patty) has now taken three wins in seven starts on the season. Her bankroll moved to $20,529 for the year and $177,806 in her career. She paid $3.30 to win.
There were six divisions of the Jumpstart Series with each going for $10,000. The brackets were for those with a Trackmaster rating of 70 or less.
Penneys Spirit ($7.50 to win) was the most impressive with a 10-length decision in 1:57.4. Others winners included Lucky Town ($5.10, 2:00 winning mile), Oozies Beach Gal ($14.80, 2:02.1), Seafood Sweetheart ($2.50, 1:58.2,), Bet Im Lucky ($32.40, 1:58.3) and Western Conquest ($9.10, 1:59).
McNeight III completed the afternoon program with a driving triple while Hanners, Ray Fisher Jr. and Joseph Chindano Jr. each posted doubles. Jennifer Giuliani and Ryan Swift had a pair of training victories each.
Racing will resume on Friday afternoon with a 12-race card set for 2:30 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)