After being interfered with during a racing incident at Tioga Downs in his last start on May 20, the Ontario-sired Golden Terror returned to the track and won the featured $10,000 Open Pace in a lifetime best 1:53.2 at Buffalo Raceway Saturday night (June 16).
The win was the eighth this season for Golden Terror, and the winning time was the second fastest this year, only behind the new track record of Steelhead Hanover’s 1:52.3.
Golden Terror ($5.50), leaving from post four in the field of seven and driven by last year’s national dash champion Dan Noble, settled in fourth as Majik Master (Shawn Gray) hit the quarter-pole in a quick :27.2. Cole Hard Cash (Dave McNeight III) had the pedal to the metal next, hitting the half in :56, and the three-quarters in 1:24.4.
As the field hit the top of the stretch, it turned out to be a two-horse race between the winner and Goodnight Goodluck (Kevin Cummings). With a sharp :28.3 last quarter-mile, Golden Terror prevailed by one length at the wire. Last week’s Open winner, Mark it On Ice (John Cummings Jr.), came in third.
“I love this horse,” said Noble of the a five-year-old Western Terror gelding out of the Artiscape mare Bell Amis Love. “I didn’t want it to be a first over trip, but I had plenty of pace the whole mile.”
Golden Terror is trained by John Mungillo for Team Italia Racing Stable. The $5,000 share of the winning purse put Golden Terror’s season bankroll at $54,292 and his lifetime earnings at $125,726.
Buffalo Raceway is pleased to announce that it has rehired Race Secretary Virginia Rosenfeld for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. “I think Ginny did a real good job this year, and look forward to her continued employment,” said C.O.O. Jim Mango.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)