Hamburg, NY – Moneymakehersmile ($5.80) was all smiles at the finish line as she collected the cash by winning the $15,500 Open Pace for the fillies and mares on Wednesday afternoon (April 5) at a soggy Buffalo Raceway.

Moneymakehersmile (#2, outside) took the $15,500 Open Pace for the fillies and mares on Wednesday afternoon at a soggy Buffalo Raceway. Bill Burke Photo.

It was a tough outside grind for Moneymakehersmile (Luke Hanners) but she was stubborn and never gave up. First, she had to get past the pace-setting Dragon Sparks (Joseph Chindano Jr.) then hold back a final charge from Miss Rockadali (Keith Kash Jr.) in what resulted in a three-way photo.

In the beginning, Dragon Sparks, after relinquishing the lead to Miss Rockadali, retook the top at the quarter pole, putting up 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 check while Dragon Sparks was a tough luck third.

Owned by Royal Rock Racing LLC and trained by Candace Brandstatter, it was the second victory of the season in eight outings for the 7-year-old Moneymakehersmile (Mach Three-Whycantiforgetyou). The win moved her seasonal earnings to $19,207 and $215,549 lifetime.

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 lenghts nod over Ruthmae Hanover in a solid 1:58. Isla Seelster (Chindano Jr.) 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, the 4-year-old Bank The Win (Roddy’s Bags Again-Winbak Patty) has now taken three wins in seven starts on the season. Her bankroll moved to $20,529 and $177,806 in her career.

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.

Penney’s Spirit ($7.50) was the most impressive with a 10-length decision in 1:57.4. Others winners included Lucky Town ($5.10, 2:00), Oozie’s Beach Gal ($14.80, 2:02.1), Seafood Sweetheart ($2.50, 1:58.2,), Bet I’m Lucky ($32.40, 1:58.3) and Western Conquest ($9.10, 1:59).

McNeight III completed the afternoon program with a driving triple while Ray Fisher Jr., Hanners and Chindano Jr. each posting doubles. Jennifer Giuliani and Ryan Swift had a pair of training victories each.

Racing will resume on Friday afternoon (April 7) with a 12-race card set for 2:30 p.m.

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