Plainville, MA – Once again dealt a hand of wind, rain and sloppy goings, a trot-heavy card of horses went postward at Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon (April 26). And despite the rough going, Wings Of Royalty came to work and scored an impressive two-move victory in the $16,000 Open Handicap trotting feature.

Wings Of Royalty picked up a two-length win on Friday in a $16,000 Open Handicap trotting feature at Buffalo Raceway. Melanson photo

Wings Of Royalty (Shawn Gray) departed post seven and made a beeline for the front, getting there in :27 flat. But as soon as he crossed over, Cash Me Out (Phil Fluet) vacated the garden spot and rushed to be first in front of the stands. By the time the race got to the :57.1 half, a busy outer flow led by Northern Skyway (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) and Nows The Moment (Mike Stevenson) had drawn even with Cash Me Out and locked Wings Of Royalty on the pylons fourth.

Gray kept Wings Of Royalty tracking intently from that position to the three-quarter pole when Nows The Moment hit the wall and gave him room to roam. Rounding the final bend, Wings Of Royalty tipped three-deep and had the lead by the time the race headed into the stretch. From there he pulled away to a two length advantage under a line drive from Gray and won in 1:55.3.

It was the second win of the year and a seasonal best time for the Massachusetts-bred Wings Of Royalty ($7.60) who is owned by his breeder, Ray Campbell. John Di Stefano does the training.

Neverdie held off a mid-mile challenge by Shorething Fashion to take a $12,000 mid-level conditioned trot this evening. Melanson photo

In the undercard $12,000 mid-level conditioned trot, Neverdie (Mitchell Cushing) pulled from third before the quarter to take the lead and then fight off a mid-mile challenge by One Swan For All (Wally Watson) and a late stretch rush by Shorething Fashion (Nick Graffam) and Front Street (Jay Randall) to win by a length in 1:56.2.

It was the 40th career win for the hard-hitting 10-year-old Neverdie ($3.60) who is owned by Mike Graham, Steve Wilson and Mike Cushing, who also does the training.

Live harness racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (April 29) with post time set a 4 p.m.