HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Winkys Pride made the trip across the border from Canada to the United States a successful one and took the featured $10,500 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway Friday night (June 13).
Competing at Flamboro Downs and Woodbine Race Track, Winkys Pride ($7.30) and Buffalo Raceway leading driver Kevin Cummings used a strong stretch drive to snatch the victory away from the pace-setting Fiorentina (Ray Fisher Jr.) by a nose in 1:59.0 over the fast track.
Fiorentina set the tempo with splits of 29.4, 59.1, and 1:29.1. Winkys Pride, who managed to drop into the four hole after starting in the seven position, swung three-wide down the lane and just got up in time for the victory. Fiorentina took the heart-breaking place position while Escrow Blue Chip (Jack Flanigen) finished in third.
Owned and trained by Robert Hummel, Winkys Pride (Amigo Hall-Winkys Smile) has now won four times in 17 starts in 2014, earning $28,571 this season and $148,839 lifetime.
Racing will continue on Saturday night at Buffalo Raceway when an 11-race card is scheduled to begin at 6:40 p.m.
by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway