HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Sand Summerfield didn't mind the rainy, raw and sloppy conditions at Buffalo Raceway Saturday night (Feb.1) as he splashed and dashed his way to victory over Stonebridge Rocket in the $10,500 Open Pace.
The win completed the sweep in Open competition for owner Robert Main and trainer Jason Robinson at Buffalo Raceway as Ellisarro Hanover took the $10,500 Open Trot on Friday night.
Sand Summerfield set the fractions to the half with a 1:00.3 time but found himself in second place as Stonebridge Rocket blasted his way to the top just past the midway point.
Driver Dan Rawlings then showed plenty of patience as he sat the garden spot with Sand Summerfield ($5.50) until deep stretch where they were able to overtake Stonebridge Rocket and score the half-length victory in 1:57.2.
OK Braveheart (Billy Dobson) took the show position.
It was the first win of the season in five attempts for Sand Summerfield (Mantacular-Ribbons And Bows) and the 26th of his career. The 7-year-old gelding has now won $10,530 in 2014 and $322,170 lifetime.
Racing will continue at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday evening with a 12-race card set to begin at 5 p.m. The $5,000 Guaranteed Pick-4 will start in the fifth race on Wednesday.
by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway