The weather was just ideal for a nice stroll at Buffalo Raceway on Friday evening (June 2) and Noble Legend ($8.50) did just that in easily turning back the field in the $10,000 Open Trot.
With crystal blues skies and the temperature hovering around 70, Noble Legend (Ray Fisher Jr.) went gate-to-wire and thoroughly enjoyed the tour around the half-mile oval in 1:57.1. He soundly beat Winkys Pride (Drew Monti) by three and a quarter lengths while Empire Earl N (Larry Stalbaum) rolled into third-place.
It didn't take long for Noble Legend to reach the top and take in the fresh air, posting splits of :29, :59.1 and 1:28.1. Down the lane, Noble Legend was looking for some challengers but none materialized. A :29 final panel was more than enough to ruin the slim hopes of the other six entrants.
Noble Legend (Kadabra-Lovin It) is co-owned by Jack and trainer Maria Rice. The five-year-old gelding has now won four times in 17 attempts in 2017, putting $38,350 in the bank this season and $134,148 lifetime.
Kevin Cummings led the drivers on the night with a four-bagger while Stalbaum had a triple. Trainers Maria Rice and Kimberly Asher checked in with doubles.
Racing will resume on Saturday night with a 12-race card scheduled for 6 p.m. There's a $2,626 carryover in the Pick-5, which begins in the second race.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)