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 week, 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) could wait no longer and blasted past Cold Certified to the three-quarter marker. 

 

There was no 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.