Fifty Two Finn, an 11-year-old Movie Mogul bay horse, won the $10,000 Open Trot in 2:01.2, for owner Ronald Stebbins of Rochester New York, at Buffalo Raceway Friday night
. It was the first win this season for Fifty Two Finn, who won over $64,000 last year.
Fifty Two Finn ($9.90) leaving from Post 4 in the field of seven and driven by reinsman John Cummings, Jr., settled in fifth, as last week’s Open winner Shoe In (Jimmy Whisman) cut the early fractions; :30 to the quarter, and 1:00 to the half.
Just past the half, Fifty Two Finn swung to the outside and received good live cover from eventual fourth-place finisher Justine Colleen (Jack Flanigen).
As the field hit the top of the stretch, Fifty Two Finn unleashed a :30.1 last quarter-mile to just nip Gelato Man (Kevin Hough) by a nose at the finish line. Credit Press (Kevin Cummings) came in third, in what was the closest race of the night.
Trained by Ronald Stebbins, the $5,000 share of the winning purse put Fifty Two Finn’s lifetime bankroll at $446,432.
In the $10,000 co-feature Filly and Mares Open Pace, Artistry In Rhythm made it two Open wins in a row, as the nine-year-old chestnut mare won in 2:00.3, for owner Betty Tauber of East Brunswick New Jersey.
Artistry In Rhythm ($7.20), leaving from Post 4 in the field of seven and driven by Jimmy Whisman who was filling in for regular driver Ken Holliday, made every pole a winning one, setting all the fractions in the race; :29.3, 1:00.3, and 1:31.2. A :29.1 last quarter-mile put the winner a neck in front of second-place finisher Dappers Flash (Jamie Dunlap) at the finish line. Hidden Touch (John Cummings, Jr.) came in third.
“She’s (Artistry In Rhythm) a lazy mare, but she won’t let anyone go by her,” said Whisman. “Thanks to "Doc" and Sherri for letting me drive her.”
Trained by Sherri Holliday, the $5,000 share of the winning purse put Artistry In Rhythm’s season bankroll at $12,500 and $344,155 lifetime.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)