Cold Certified ($4.30) proved to be too hot to handle in Buffalo Raceway's $10,000 Open Trot on Friday night (Jan. 29) with a convincing one and a quarter length victory over Strong Hope in 1:59.1 over the fast track.

After competing at Yonkers and Woodbine racetracks since November, Cold Certified (Shawn McDonough) seemed to adapt well to his new home at the Hamburg, New York half-mile oval.

Lutetium, as usual, darted straight to the lead from the eight post while Cold Certified was able to draft along in second place through fractions of :29, :59.1 and 1:29.4. At the top of the stretch, Lutetium began to call it a night while Cold Certified was just getting into gear. Dropping into the 'lightning lane' as soon as possible, Cold Certified roared to the top and posted a :29.1 last quarter to draw away smartly for the victory. Strong Hope (Jack Flanigen) rallied for second with Im The Cash Man (Drew Monti) taking the show spot.

Cold Certified (Kadabra-I Like Stephanie) is co-owned by Paul and Ronald Louis Viele and is trained by Alex Giuliani. The win was the first in three starts this season for the seven-year-old gelding. Cold Certified has now earned $7,800 in 2016 and $451,100 in his career.

Driver Kevin Cummings continued on a torrid pace, getting four victories on the night. He now has seven wins over the past two race cards.

Trainers JD Perrin and Giuliani each had doubles.

(With files from Buffalo Raceway)