A jump up in class didn’t seem to bother High Jingo, a five-year-old Angus Hall gelding out of the San Pellegrino mare Elena, as he won the $10,000 Open Trot in 1:59.3 at Buffalo Raceway Friday night (May 4)
. The victory was the first this season in five attempts for High Jingo, whose winning time ties his lifetime best.
High Jingo ($6.70), leaving from the pylons in the field of seven and driven by reinsman Kevin Cummings, shot right to the lead and set all the fractions in the race of :29.3, 1:00.1, and 1:30. A :29.3 last quarter-mile put the winner three-quarters of a length ahead of second place finisher Fifty Two Finn (John Cummings Jr.) at the finish line. J Semper Fi (Jack Flanigen) came in the show spot.
High Jingo is trained by Lisa Lederhouse, who co-owns with John W. Wagner. The $5,000 share of the winning purse put High Jingo’s season bankroll at $9,085 and $61,677 lifetime.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)