HAMBURG, N.Y. --- China Dream ($2.60) proved that last week was just a hiccup and earned redemption this Saturday (March 26) by taking the $10,000 Open Pace at Buffalo Raceway in a seasonal best 1:54.2 over the fast track.

 

With a fifth place finish last week aided in part by interference at the start, China Dream used another perfect first over trip to score his third win against Open competition in his last four starts. He beat Beach Hero (Shawn McDonough) by 3/4 lengths while Babe's I Scoot (Todd Cummings) was third.

 

Sitting fourth headed to the half, driver Jack Flanigen tipped China Dream first over and began to slowly grind into the lead of the pace-setting Beach Hero. In the battle to the wire, China Dream was just too powerful and paced away convincingly for the win.

 

Owned by Jack Rice and trainer Maria Rice, China Dream (If I Can Dream-China Art) is a 5-year-old gelding that now has won four times in eight appearances this season, earning $25,400 and $114,993 lifetime.

 

Todd Cummings finished with three victories in the sulky while Drew Monti and Flanigen each doubled. Maria Rice had two training wins.

 

Racing will resume on Wednesday night with an 11-race program scheduled for 5 p.m.