Terlingua successfully stepped up to win the $10,000 Open Pace at Buffalo Raceway for his new connections on Saturday night
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The season's best 1:58.2 victory was the second (consecutive) win from four starts this season for Terlingua, who was moving up in class from the Open II ranks. The five-year-old Artiscape gelding out of the Western Hanover mare Western City was claimed at the end of December at Yonkers Raceway by New York's Super Mile LLC and subsequently joined the stable of conditioner John Mungillo.
Terlingua ($5.50), leaving from Post 6 and driven by last year’s national dash leading reinsman Dan Noble, settled in fourth as Fantasypan (Jim Dunn) hit the quarter-mile marker in :28.2. Eventual third-place finisher Redford Hall (Kevin Cummings) took the lead at the half in :58.1. Terlingua and My Gift To You (Shawn McDonough) both made a strong backside brush, which saw My Gift To You hit the three-quarter marker in 1:28.2. A thrilling stretch drive ensued with Terlingua edging My Gift To You by half a length at the finish line.
The $5,000 share of the winning purse put Terlingua’s season bankroll at $9,800, and lifetime earnings at $134,936.
Noble was once again the top driver Saturday night steering home four winners. Besides the Open Pace, Noble’s other winners were Hesaporche ($21.40), Seton Hall ($4.90), and Silk Puddles ($8.10).
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)