by Brian J. Mazurek,
for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Strong Hope ($5.10) remained razor sharp
and proved it by lowering his own track record in winning the $10,000 Open Trot
in 1:56.3 over the fast track at Buffalo Raceway on Friday night (June 17).
He beat his own standard of 1:57.1 (aged 5+ colt) set this
season on April 16. Strong Hope has now won four times in his last eight starts
along with a trio of second place finishes.
It was the sixth time this year a track record has been
rewritten at Buffalo Raceway.
With the field scratched down to five, Cold Certified tried
to cut the mile with splits of 29.1, 59.0 and 1:28.0. But with a quarter mile
to trot, Cold Certified called it a night and the first-over Strong Hope (Ray
Fisher Jr.) powerfully took command and never looked back in the stretch,
putting away the field with a 28.3 last panel.
The battle for the minor spoils went to Serious George
(Mike Caprio) who finished 3-3/4
lengths behind the winner while Northern Matador (Jim Morrill Jr.) took third.
Owned and trained by Joe Agostino,
Strong Hope (Cr Excalibur-Spring Lane Joanie) is a 9-year-old horse who has six
wins in 20 attempts this season. The victory upped his 2016 winnings to $43,191
and $544,074 lifetime.
Fisher Jr. and Drew Monti each had triples in the bike while
Angelo Nappo and Agostino each doubled.
Racing will resume on Saturday night at 6 p.m. with a
10-race card scheduled. The Pick-5 has a $993 carryover starting in the fifth
race.
For more information including the latest news, results,
race replays and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
