Cam Patch won the featured $10,000 Open Pace in 1:54.4 at Buffalo Raceway Saturday night (May 26). The win was the sixth this season for Cam Patch, whose winning time establishes a new season’s best.
Cam Patch ($5.10), leaving from post four in the field of seven and driven by reinsman Shawn Gray, settled in fourth as R C Cruiser (Jerry Nugent) cut the early fractions -- :28.2 to the quarter and :57.4 to the half.
Just before the half-mile marker, Gray swung Cam Patch to the outside and the gutsy gelding had to grind out a tough first over trip, which saw him hit the three-quarter mark with the lead in 1:26.2. A :28.2 last quarter-mile put the winner one length in front of Mark It On Ice (Kevin Cummings) at the finish line. Unicorn Hanover (Jack Flanigen) came in third.
“He’s just a really good horse,” said Gray. “He’ll grind it first over all day if he has to.”
The seven-year-old Cambest gelding is trained by Alex Giuliani for owners David P. Ball and Jerry R. Reinhart, both of Batavia, New York.
The win was the 26th lifetime for Cam Patch, who has won $189,631 in his career.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)