Following a brief absence from the winner's circle, Magical Mistress ($4.30) reunited with Buffalo Raceway track photographer John Emmerling on Wednesday afternoon by securing the win in the prestigious $18,919 Open Pace for the fillies and mares.
Following a series of four consecutive wins, Magic Mistress (Jim Morrill Jr.) experienced a setback last week, placing third to Imprincessgemma A in the Open Pace for female competitors. However, the enchantment resurfaced this time, allowing her to reclaim the throne.
McVera established a comfortable lead from the start, recording splits of 29, 57.4, and 1:26.2 on the fast track. However, as she relished the summit, Magical Mistress initiated her initial over-grind around the clubhouse turn. She was neck and neck with the pacesetter as they approached the final stretch.
With a deliberate and calculated approach, Magical Mistress managed to gain a slight advantage in the middle of the race. At that moment, everything seemed to be under control. However, Summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) made a powerful surge from the outside and came incredibly close to victory. In the end, Magical Mistress managed to cross the finish line first, setting a new seasonal record of 1:55.1. She managed to hold off the late charge from Summer Slash, winning by a narrow margin, with Shooting Brooke finishing in third place.
Magical Mistress, an eight-year-old mare, has won five out of eight races this season. She is owned by Michael Milazzo and trained by Candace Brandstatter. Her campaign earnings increased to $39,317, while her lifetime earnings reached an impressive $374,253.