The most work driver Kevin Cummings had to do in Friday’s $10,500 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway was get Lutetium off to a safe start.
Mission accomplished.
Lutetium zoomed to the lead as the starting gate swung opened with no issues and never looked back from there, posting a solid victory over Studio City in 1:59.4 over the sloppy track.
Earlier this season, Lutetium had problems at the start, breaking in two consecutive races. But trainer Mark Laidlaw ironed out the miscues and Lutetium has been untouchable since. He won the Open II Trot in front-running style last week by two lengths.
Setting fractions of :28.4, :59.2 and 1:29.3 en route to a 1:59.4 mile, Lutetium had no serious threats in scoring his second win of the season. Studio City (Aaron Byron) sat in the garden spot the entire race but had no answers, while Armed Dangerously (Ray Fisher, Jr.) took the show spot.
The seven-year-old gelding is owned by Colleen Girdlestone. Lutetium has now earned $13,335 this season and $199,141 lifetime. He paid $4.50.
(Buffalo Raceway)