Hamburg, NY — It wasn’t the featured event, but Summer Slash turned Saturday’s (June 17) $13,500 sub-featured pace at Buffalo Raceway into one by breaking the track record for 4-year-old pacing mares with a 1:54 trip.

It eclipsed the standard of 1:54.1 established on June 15, 2016 by Terrorcam. The time was also a lifetime best for Summer Slash, who beat One Off Delight A by 1-3/4 lengths.

Summer Slash’s 1:54 win in Saturday’s sub-featured pace at Buffalo was the fastest ever at the Hamburg oval by a 4-year-old pacing mare. Bill Burke photo.

In the compact field of five, reduced by the scratch of Black Is Back, American Trademark was the leader on the front end with times of :28.3, :58 and 1:26.1. Summer Slash, the lone mare in the field, was first-over and on even terms with American Trademark with a quarter mile to go. Summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) then powered her way to the lead in the homestretch and used a :27.4 last panel to pull off a two-length victory over One Off Delight A (Kevin Cummings). American Trademark finished third.

Owned by Ilovemyharnesshorsesummer and trained by Ryan Swift, Summer Slash (Downbytheseaside-Before The Poison) has now won five times in 10 starts this season. The victory upped her 2023 bankroll to $34,319 and $58,890 in her career.

In the top race on the card, the $15,500 Open Pace, Casimir Richie P ($8.40) got a perfect pocket journey and turned it into a one-length victory over JM’s Delight. He stopped the timer in 1:54.2, which equaled his seasonal mark.

The field was trimmed down to six participants as Avion Seelster was excused due to illness. Alta Engen A (Kevin Cummings) showed the way off the rail and laid down reasonable fractions of :28.1, :57.4 and 1:26. With a quarter mile to pace, Just Plain Loco (David McNeight III), last week’s Open winner, was first-over, but his attempt to track down Alta Engen A fizzled out. Casimir Richie P (Joseph Chindano Jr.) in the meantime was waiting to pounce in the pocket. When space availed, he confidently roared onto the lead with a :28.1 final panel doing the trick. JM’s Delight (Jim Morrill Jr.) was sneaked by Alta Engen A for second-place honors.

Owned by Michael Goldberg and trained by Teesha Symes, the 8-year-old Casimir Richie P (Astronomical-Casimir Hugs) notched his sixth win in 16 tries in 2023. The victory increased his earnings to $40,325 on the season and $368,742 in his lifetime.

The Open Pace was named the Richard Mays Memorial Pace to honor the longtime Western New York horseman who passed away on Sept. 7, 2022.

McNeight, Chindano and Morrill all notched doubles on the evening while Jennifer Giuliani had a pair of training wins.

Racing at Buffalo will resume on Wednesday afternoon (June 21) at 2:30 p.m. with a 13-race card set. The New York Sire Stakes returns as three (approx. $35,000) divisions will be contested for 2-year-old filly pacers. There will also be a pair of $20,000 Excelsior Series races.

For more information, including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.