Shu Fu, a five-year-old gelding out of Matts Scooter, won the $11,000 Open Pace in 1:56.4 for owners Tanah Merah Farms of Springfield Illinois at Buffalo Raceway Saturday night (January 19).
It was the first win this year for Shu Fu, who registered six wins in 28 starts last year.
Shu Fu ($11.80), driven by reinsman Ray Fisher Jr., who led all drivers with four wins on the night, settled in third from post two as Dont Fool With Me (Mark Beckwith) set all the fractions in the race (:28.4, :57.2, and 1:27). As the field hit the top of the stretch, Shu Fu unleashed a :29.2 last quarter-mile, which put the winner a head in front of last week's Open champ Miliondollardesign (Billy Dobson) at the wire. Fantasy Pan (Jack Flanigen) came in third.
“This is just a really good horse,” said Fisher. “I was lucky to sneak out at the three-quarter pole and put him in a good spot heading for home.”
Trained by Ryan Swift, the $5,500 share of the winning purse put Shu Fu’s lifetime earnings at $84,488.
Besides the Open, Fisher’s other winners were Camvicster ($15.80), Jimmie Hanover ($2.90), and Mr Terror ($4.10).
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)