Northwest win(d) at Buffalo

With Jim Morrill Jr. in the sulky, Northwestern, a 6-year-old daughter of Western Hanover, rallied from off the pace Wednesday night at Buffalo Raceway to win the $8,400 Open Pace for fillies and mares in a four-horse blanket finish in 1:59 over a "sloppy" track. It was the third win in a row for Northwestern, and it gave Morrill his fourth winner of the night.

Sitting last in the field of six, Northwestern and Morrill swung to the outside down the backstretch, and got themselves in position entering the homestretch to challenge for the lead. It was a thrilling stretch drive that saw Northwestern edge second-place finishers Blueridge Ingenue and driver Kevin Cummings by a nose. Devils Delight and reinsman Richie Mays were a neck behind in third, while Spacie Jessie and Ron Beback Jr. were only three-quarters of a length back in fourth.

Owned by Howard Taylor and Abraham Basen, the $4,200 share of the winning purse put Northwestern's seasonal bankroll at $20,675, and her lifetime earnings to $198,631. Paul Szalay Jr. is the trainer. Going off as the prohibitive favorite in the race, the winner paid $2.70 to win. (Buffalo)

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