A little time in sunny warm Florida was all that was needed for Cole Hard Cash as the seven-year-old Cole Muffler gelding won Buffalo Raceway's $11,000 Open Pace in 1:55.4 returning north for New York owners Elm Racing Saturday night.
The win was the first in three attempts this year for Cole Hard Cash, who has won 26 times while banking over $200,000 in purses lifetime.
Cole Hard Cash ($22.20) driven by Dan Noble, settled in fourth as the favourite and eventual third-place finisher, Spender Hanover (Shawn Gray), cut all the fractions in the race (:28.3, :57.2, and 1:26.4).
As the field hit the top of the stretch, Cole Hard Cash and Noble had the leaders right in front of them and a :28.2 last quarter-mile put the winner one and a half lengths ahead of second-place finisher Dontgetinskyway (Dave McNeight III) at the wire.
Cole Hard Cash is trained by Christi Pokornowski.
Noble led all drivers with five wins on the card.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)