Hamburg, NY — A pair of $100,000 earners from 2018 locked horns in Buffalo Raceway’s featured $11,500 Open II Pace on Saturday night (Feb. 9) and the two did not disappoint in the main event tussle.

With both Lucky McTrucky and Shady City hitting six figures last season, the betting public figured it was going to be a two horse race. They were right.

Lucky McTrucky scored in the $11,500 Open II at Buffalo on Saturday night. Steve Roth Photo.

It was Lucky McTrucky (Drew Monti), however, who proved to be the best on a frigid night, topping rival Shady City (Larry Stalbaum) by a half-length in an impressive 1:56 over the fast track. Dark Horse (Ray Fisher Jr.) was third.

Scoring from the rail, Shady City registered rather soft fractions of :29.1 and :58.2 to the half, parking Lucan Hanover (Billy Davis Jr.) along the way. 

With the cover starting to fade heading to the three-quarter marker, Monti got Lucky McTrucky ($4.80) into gear and stared Shady City into the eye turning for home. It seemed like Shady City might hang tough but he just couldn’t keep up as Lucky McTrucky used a :27.2 final panel to secure the decision.

Lucky McTrucky (McArdle-Truculent Lady) is a 10-year-old gelding that has won twice this season in six attempts, earning $19,990. Owned by Tessa Roland and conditioned by JD Perrin, the victory pushed his career earnings to $519,287.

In the $10,500 co-featured Class A-AA Handicap Pace, Beachy Dream ($9.20) made it two straight at Buffalo Raceway with a come from behind 3/4-length score over the pace-setting Southwind Torque in 1:56.2.

After sitting in third until the top of the lane, Beachy Dream went three-wide down the stretch and zoomed past Southwind Torque (Davis Jr.) who had posted solid splits of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:27.0. 

Owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama, it was the second win in three tries in 2019 for 8-year-old gelded Beachy Dream (If I Can Dream-Beachy Girl). The victory upped his seasonal winnings to $11,500 and $191,640 lifetime.

Gray finished the evening with four driving victories while Monti added three and Stalbaum two. James Clouser Jr. had three training wins with Sarama and Perrin doubling.

Racing will continue on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with a 12-race program scheduled.

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