Alan made the journey from Northfield Park to Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (March 18) well worth it as he trounced the field in the featured $17,500 Open Trot.

Starting from the four hole, driver Jim Morrill Jr. sent Alan to the top and was able to carve soft fractions of :31.1, 1:01.4 and 1:31.3. The lead only snowballed from there as the only suspense Alan left down the lane was who was going to collect the minor spoils. The minor awards went to Castyourcrown and Captain Krupnik, who finished second and third, respectively. Alan clocked the mile in 2:01 to win by 6-1/4 lengths. 

Trained by Joseph Alba and owned by Julie Wagonblott, the seven-year-old gelded Alan (Dontyouforgetit-Betty Jean) earned his fourth win in seven tries this year. The victory moved his seasonal bankroll to $34,485 and lifetime earnings to $161,403. He paid $2.60 to win.

Villiam made his first start of the 2023 campaign a good one as he took the $15,100 conditioned pace in 1:58.4. He beat All About Lynx by 2-1/2 lengths while Star Messenger was third.

Starting from the inside, Villiam let All About Lynx briefly take the lead but regained the advantage before hitting the opening frame. With fractions of :30, 1:00.2 and 1:30.3 in the books, driver Joe Chindano Jr. stepped on the gas with Villiam in the stretch and pulled away from All About Lynx and Star Messenger.

Owned by Anthony Evgenikos and trained by Chindano Jr., the six-year-old gelded Villiam (Rock N Roll Heaven-Village Mirage) has now earned $7,550 on the season and $270,859 lifetime. He paid $4 to win.

There were a pair of $13,100 pacing events on the card. SBD Corazon ($4.20) took the first offering by using a :29 final panel to beat Harry Hoo N by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:59.1 and paid $4.20 to win. In the second bracket, Alta Engen A took the lead at the three-quarter marker, then had to hold off a late-charging Prairie Panther by a diminishing length in 1:58.1. It was the fourth victory of the season for Alta Engen A and he returned $5.50 to win.

The $13,100 trotting race saw the heavily favoured Credit List ($2.20) wear down the tempo-setting Cowboy Country in the stretch and draw off to a half-length victory in 1:59.4 for Jim Morrill Jr. He paid $2.20 to win.

Racing will continue on Wednesday evening (March 22) at 6 p.m. (EDT) with a 13-race program.

(Buffalo Raceway)