Salazar made an early first-over move and kept right on going in registering an easy four length victory over Sand Savage in the featured $10,500 Open Pace at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (March 22).
Sitting sixth before the half-mile marker, the favoured Salazar ($4.80) and driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. were already out and and winging. Getting the lead past the three-quarter pole, it was Salazar's race to win or lose. The eight-year-old gelding enjoyed a half-length edge at the top of the stretch and used a :28.4 last panel to smartly pace away from his six competitors, stopping the timer in a seasonal-best of 1:55.2. Sand Savage (Drew Monti) took the place position while Naked News (Jim McNeight) finished in third.
Salazar, owned by Lisa Denison and trained by Lisa Lederhouse, has now won twice in nine appearances this season and pushed his bankroll to $18,257 in 2014 and $236,841 lifetime.
In the $8,000 semi-finals of the Michael Scores Knockout Claiming Series, Bobs Alibi (Ray Fisher Jr.) took the opening division in 1:58.4 while the second leg was won by Mr Casual (Kevin Cummings) in 1:58.3. They both will return next Saturday night for the $22,500 finals along with Enzo Seelster, Auditorial, Ol Man River, Catman, Four Hoof Drive and Classic Camelot.
Racing will resume on Wednesday night at Buffalo Raceway with a 10-race card set to begin at 5 p.m. There will be racing this Thursday night as well as this day was added to the schedule as a makeup for a previous cancelled program. The post will also be 5 p.m.
(Buffalo Raceway)