by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Sooner or later, Strong Hope is going to
make believers out of the betting public. And after setting a new track record
Friday night (April 22) in the $10,000 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway, at last he
might get the well earned respect.
For the third straight race, Strong Hope was shunned at the
betting windows and proved his doubters wrong once again with an impressive
victory in 1:57.1 over the fast track. The time shattered the old standard of
1:58.1 for aged trotting colts (5+) set in 2014 by Armed Dangerously.
It was the third straight double digit win for Strong Hope
who returned $11.80 for the comfortable 1-1/4 length victory over Northern
Bullet. Strong Hope now has $17.40 and $53.50 win prices to his credit during
his current streak.
And while Strong Hope continued his winning ways, so did
driver Jim Morrill Jr.
He recorded another seven-bagger including a stretch of five
in a row. Morrill Jr. now has posted 59 victories at Buffalo Raceway in 119
starts. It was the fourth time this season he has had seven wins on a card
at the Hamburg half-mile oval. While flirting with the record, Kevin Cummings'
mark of eight wins set on June 11, 2005 still stands.
In the feature, Lutetium set some wicked fractions of 28.1,
57.1 and 1:27.1 which was a perfect set up for the hard-charging Strong Hope.
Going first over past the half, Strong Hope (Ray Fisher Jr.)
made steady progress toward the top and was in command at the top of the lane.
Northern Bullet (Morrill Jr.) finished a non-threatening second while Lutetium
(Todd Cummings) held on for third.
Owned and trained by Joe Agostino, it was the fourth win in
14 starts this season for the 9-year-old Strong Hope (Cr Excalibur-Spring Lane
Joanie). The victory upped his 2016 winnings to $25,941 and $526,824 lifetime.
Trainer JD Perrin had three wins and Agostino two on the
card. Ray Fisher Jr. doubled in the sulky.
Racing will continue on Saturday night with a 12-race card
scheduled for 6 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, results,
race replays and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
