What’s a better way to start off the racing season at Buffalo Raceway than with a $102 winner in the very first race?
That’s exactly what happened as Splendid Les, driven by Kevin Cummings, shot right to the lead from Post 7, and never looked back, winning by 7-1/2 lengths in 2:02.4 for owner Marc Vogel, of Hamburg, New York.
Going off as the longest shot on the board, Splendid Les cut all the fractions in the race, :31.1, 1:02.3, and 1:33.2. Chips Of Troy (Kevin Hough) came in second, while Fessup Fred (Jack Flanigen) finished third. It was the first win of the year for Splendid Les, who is trained by Bob Gruber.
The opening night card featured two $10,000 Opens. In the Filly and Mares Open, Newberry Winner (Bruce Aldrich, Jr.) received a perfect pocket trip, and then used the passing lane to beat the favourite in the race, Mud Pie Hanover (Kevin Cummings), in 1:59.3, which was the fastest clocking of the night. The Grey Filly (Ron Beback, Jr.) came in third.
Newberry Winner ($11.00), a seven-year-old Village Jove mare, is trained by Neal Russo and owned by Howard Ouriel of Rochester, New York.
In the Open Trot, Shoe In, ($10.00) a nine-year-old gelding by Keystone Nordic, leaving from Post 5 in the field of eight, made every pole a winning one beating seven rivals in 2:01.1. Capably driven by Ken Holliday and owned by Betty Tauber of East Brunswick New Jersey, Shoe In cut all the fractions in the race ,:30.2, 1:00.3, 1:31. The margin of victory was 2-1/2 lengths over second place finisher and favourite in the race, Gelato Man (Jack Flanigen). Bankers Dream (Kevin Cummings) came in third.
Sherri Holliday, who led the trainer standings last year at the Raceway, trains Shoe In, who won for the first time this year.
Racing will resume on Saturday, January 15, with first post scheduled for 6:40 p.m.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)