by Brian J. Mazurek,
for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- The ink had barely dried in the record
book but Noble Legend didn't care one bit because he was erasing his own
name.
For the second straight week, Noble Legend impressively
smashed the track record for 4-year-old gelded trotters in winning the $10,000
Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway Friday night (June 10). He beat his old mark of
1:57.3 by a whole second with a blistering 1:56.3 over the fast surface. It
threatened the all-time trotting mark of 1:56.1 set by Gural Hanover in 2014.
Last Friday, Noble Legend easily destroyed the old
standard of 1:58.2 that was held by Sams Hope
(2003), Baby Boy Grin (2009) and BZ Glide
(2013). The clocking was also tied his career best of 1:56.3 set last season at
Pocono Downs.
Cold Certified (Shawn McDonough)
did the dirty work early, going 57.2 to the half. Midway down the backstretch
the second time, the pocket-sitting Noble Legend (Kevin Cummings) couldn't wait
any longer and blasted past Cold Certified to the three-quarter marker.
There was little doubt who the winner was going to be in the
stretch as Noble Legend ($9.00) and Cummings were in cruise control. They were
looking for any potential threats but none materialized. Strong Hope (Ray
Fisher Jr.) finished in second place 2-1/2 lengths behind while Cold Certified
held on for third.
Co-owned by Vogel &
Wags Nags Stable and Jack Rice, Noble Legend (Kadabra-Lovin It) is trained by Maria Rice. The
victory, the sixth in his 2016 campaign, moved Noble Legend's bankroll to
$30,788 this season and $58,195 lifetime.
Kevin Cummings ended the night with four victories while
Todd Cummings and Drew Monti doubled. Mike Carrubba and
Bob Gruber III each had two
training wins.
Racing will continue on Saturday night with a 12-race card
set for 7 p.m., one hour later than normal due to the running of the Belmont
Stakes.
For more information including the latest news,
upcoming promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
