HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Wicked Elphaba used a 'wicked' brush at the three-quarter marker and bolted away from the field in the $10,000 Open Pace for the filly and mares at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (March 2).

 

For the second straight race, Wicked Elphaba rewarded her supporters with a big win price. She returned $42.60 for the upset win this week after notching a $31.40 score in her previous start seven days earlier against softer company.

 

Sitting fifth at the half-mile pole, Wicked Elphaba (Ray Fisher Jr.) shook free down the backstretch and zipped past the pace-setting Ugly Betty. It was all over at the top of the stretch as Wicked Elphaba opened it up in the lane, using a 27.4 final panel to leave the other seven ladies in her wake. She finished the mile in 1:58.3 over the good track and was 5-3/4 lengths ahead of her nearest rival.

 

The only battle left in the feature was for the minor rewards and Kesons Silhouette (Truman Gale) skimmed the pylons for second with Little Santamonica (Shawn McDonough) taking third place.

 

The victory was the second in six appearances this season for Wicked Elphaba (Western Terror-Melajusted). She is owned by the Tanah Merah Farms LLC and is trained by Ryan Swift. The 6-year-old mare has now earned $14,932 this season and $129,271 lifetime.

 

Jim McNeight finished the night with four victories in the sulky, Todd Cummings tripled while Billy Davis Jr. and Jack Flanigen doubled. JD Perrin had a pair of training wins.

 

Racing will continue on Friday night at Buffalo Raceway with a 12-race program slated for 5 p.m. 

 

For more information including the latest news, race replays, results and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com