by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It may be the dead of winter in Western
New York but Validus Deo was in mid-summer form by wiring the field in a snappy
1:53.4 over the fast track in Buffalo Raceway's featured $8,800 pace on
Saturday night (Feb. 3).
Starting from the one hole, driver John Cummings Jr. made
sure he protected pylon position with Validus Deo ($6.90) by stepping out to a
scorching 27.4 opening panel. With middle splits of 56.3 and 1:25.4, the
closers were hoping that Validus Deo was going to call it quits down the lane
but that didn't happen.
Final charges from eventual runner up Heaven Rocks (Drew
Monti) and third place finisher Montezuma Bluechip (Billy Davis Jr.) weren't
nearly enough as Validus Deo had plenty left to score the length victory.
Co-owned by trainer Kevin Cummings, Matthew Rosiek and
Robert Johnson, it was the second straight victory for Validus Deo (Lis
Mara-Madam Countess). The 8-year-old gelding has now earned $8,100 in 2018 and
$513,527 lifetime.
Shawn Gray continued his torrid driving streak as he put
another four-bagger in the win column while Cummings Jr. and Ray Fisher Jr.
each doubled. James Clouser Jr. also remained hot with a training triple with
David Russo adding two victories.
Action will continue at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday with a
13-race card scheduled with a 5 p.m. post.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results, entries and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
