by Brian J. Mazurek,
for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Buffalo Raceway re-opened its doors after
a six-month hiatus Friday night (Jan. 15) and Lutetium showed he hasn't lost
his knack in finding his way around the track during that time.
A 10-time winner in 2015, Lutetium started off the new
campaign in fine style, easily disposing of his seven rivals in the $9,000
featured trot in 2:02.1.
Assigned the outside eight post on the sloppy track, Buffalo
Raceway's two-time defending driving champion Kevin Cummings immediately took
off with Lutetium from the starting gate, grabbing control of the lead by the
time they reached the backstretch..
The pair then enjoyed the front-running tour over the
half-mile oval located at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg and used
splits of 30.0, 1:00.2, 1:31.1 in posting a 2:02.1 time. Lutetium ($3.60) won
by a comfortable 1-3/4 lengths over Strong Hope (Jack Flanigen), who won the scrum for runner-up honors, while
Northern Bullet (Ray Fisher Jr.) finished third.
Lutetium bankrolled $80,621 in 2015 and was in the money 25
times in 32 races last season. It was his first appearance of the year and with
the $4,500 winner's share of the purse, moved Lutetium's career earnings to
$361,117. The 9-year-old gelding (Credit Winner-Luby)
is owned by Colleen Girdlestone and
trained by Mark Laidlaw.
Cummings finished with a driving triple while Drew Monti,
Truman Gale and Mike Baumeister all
scored twice.
Courtney Ohol was the
lone trainer with a double as she conditioned Garys
Party ($21.40) and Mr. Casual ($19.20) to upset victories.
Buffalo Raceway Director of Operations Jon Cramer said, "It was a great opening
night in the clubhouse, on track and off track. Our handle was over $238,000.
Overall, things went very well."
Racing resumes on Saturday evening with a 12-race card
scheduled for 6 p.m.
For more information including race replays, entries,
results, the latest news and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
