Lutetium and driver Kevin Cummings got back together after nearly a four-month separation and they celebrated their reunion with an easy two-length victory Friday night (May 6) in Buffalo Raceway's $10,000 Open Trot.
Lutetium sorely missed the services of Cummings, who was out of commission with a broken arm since January 30. While Cummings was sidelined, the front-running Lutetium found the winner's circle just once, that coming back on February 19 when Truman Gale guided the nine-year-old gelding to the victory.
But with Cummings back in the sulky and rival B Z Glide in the field, Lutetium was ready to regain his old form.
Taking off when the starting gate swung open, Lutetium took no prisoners in setting fractions of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:28. While stalling out in recent races, there was no dropping anchor in the stretch this time with Cummings on board. Lutetium confidently trotted home and put up a seasonal best 1:57.4. Strong Hope (Ray Fisher Jr.) took second-place and B Z Glide (Mike Caprio) third.
Owned by Colleen Girdlestone and trained by Mark Laidlaw, Lutetium (Credit Winner-Luby) earned his third win of the season. He has now put $26,360 in the bank this season and $383,277 lifetime.
Todd Cummings, Kevin Cummings and Jim Morrill Jr. each completed the night with a pair of victories in the bike.
Racing will resume at 7 p.m. on Saturday night with a 13-race scheduled. The night will feature the $10,000 Open Pace along with five finals of the Championship Claiming Series. The Pick-5, which starts in the fifth race, has a carryover of $959.
(Buffalo Raceway)