There were three divisional track record holders in Buffalo Raceway's $10,000 Open Trot on Friday night (May 20), but their past credentials didn't impress Striker Ace ($22.40) as he rallied to a half-length stunner over Lutetium in a seasonal-best 1:56.4.
Striker Ace (Todd Cummings) had to battle the likes of BZ Glide, Lutetium and Strong Hope, who all have their names in the Buffalo Raceway record book, but the only one who really was involved was the pacesetting Lutetium as the other two were non-factors.
At the start, as expected, Lutetium (Kevin Cummings) fired right to the top with Striker Ace and Red Clay in tow. Hitting the three-quarter pole in 1:27, the threesome pulled away from the remainder of the field and were left to see who was best in the stretch.
Lutetium was on the inside with Red Clay and Striker Ace attacking from the outside. Striker Ace was the king with his late kick as he turned back Lutetium while Red Clay (Shawn McDonough) took third.
The win was the second from four seasonal starts for Striker Ace (Striking Sahbra-No Sugar Tonight). The six-year-old gelding is owned by trainer John Mungillo and Finish Line Investors. The win upped his 2016 earnings to $8,854 and lifetime bankroll to $119,624.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)