After enjoying a successful stint earlier this season at Northfield Park, Noble Legend ($4.60) returned to Buffalo Raceway and hasn't forgotten where the winner's circle is.
Noble Legend and driver Billy Davis Jr. kept their weekly appointment with track photographer Steve Roth by notching another gate-to-wire win in the $12,000 Open Trot on Wednesday night (March 13). They beat Southern Palms by a comfortable half-length in 2:00.4 over a good track.
In the $10,500 Class A Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares, HP Sissy (Denny Bucceri) kept her sizzling campaign going with a front-running three-quarter length nod over Kaitlyn Rae in a seasonal best 1:58.1. In seven appearances this year, HP Sissy has four wins and three second place finishes.
Scoring from post 5, Noble Legend wasted no time in taking early command. Setting splits of :30.1, 1:00.4 and 1:31.2, the only worry Noble Legend faced down the lane was a late rally from Southern Palms (Shawn Gray), but he ran out of real estate. Are You In (Kevin Cummings) took the show spot.
Co-owned by the Vogel & Wags Nags Stable and Jack Rice, it was the fourth victory in nine attempts this year for Noble Legend (Kadabra-Lovin It). The seven-year-old gelding, trained by Maria Rice, has now produced $27,390 in earnings this year and $227,476 lifetime.
HP Sissy ($5.00) and Bucceri enjoyed the tour around the Hamburg half-mile oval. With fractions of :30.2, 1:00.2 and 1:29.1, a :29 final panel took the starch out of the attempted threats from the potential closers. Kaitlyn Rae (Drew Monti) was second and You Mach Me Crazy (Gray) rounded out the top three.
Owned by Finocchario's Dream Stable, HP Sissy (Up The Credit-Monica Blue Chip) is a six-year-old mare that is conditioned by Mike Ohol. The win upped her bankroll to $26,513 and $282,149 in her career.
Ray Fisher Jr. and Gray each completed the night with triples, while Davis. and Monti got doubles. Rice and James Clouser Jr. each conditioned two winners.
Racing will continue on Saturday evening (March 16) with a 13-race card slated to begin at 6 p.m. The World Harness Handicapping Challenge qualifier will take place as well with a $10 entry fee. The winner will receive $500, two nights hotel accommodations and paid entry into the WHHC Tournament at The Meadowlands on April 6, while the second-place finisher will get $250 and third place $100.
For more information including the latest news, race replays, results, entries, upcoming promotions and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.
(Buffalo Raceway)