Villiam and El Toro Loco each captured a victory in their respective $20,000 Open events at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday, March 22.
In his last start two weeks ago, Villiam (Joseph Chindano Jr.) went wire-to-wire in coasting to an easy 3-3/4 length decision. This week, Villiam employed a new strategy and rallied from seventh to eventually collar Panettone Hanover (Kevin Cummings) by half a length in 1:59.1 over the ‘good’ track.
Carrythetorchman (Dan Yetman) set the early pace while searching for his fourth straight victory at Buffalo Raceway. With fractions of :29.1 and :59.2, Carrythetorchman found his win streak was in serious peril as he had company down the backstretch the last time, that being Panettone Hanover. From there, Panettone Hanover got comfortable, hitting the three-quarter marker in 1:29.1, but Villiam was winging it three wide and pulled alongside preparing for the stretch drive.
Down the lane, it was a two-horse breakaway between Villiam and Panettone Hanover. In the shadow of the wire, Villiam (pictured above) was able to stride ahead and take the length victory, paying $5.80 for the win. Panettone Hanover was forced to settle for second place while Stranger Things (Shawn McDonough) collected the third place cheque.
Owned by Chindano Jr. and trained by Maggie Chindano, Villiam (Rock N Roll Heaven-Village Mirage) has now posted two wins in eight tries on the campaign. The triumph increased his 2025 bankroll to $30,906 and career earnings to $475,067.
In the $20,000 Open Trot, El Toro Loco ($12.80) let others do the dirty work on the front end for the opening half-mile but made a first-over move to eventually dispose of six other competitors in 2:01.
Watching Crazy Fool (Kyle Cummings) and Grinder (Joseph Chindano Jr.) battle it out on the lead through splits of :29.4 and 1:01.1, El Toro Loco patiently sat in fifth. Just before the half-mile marker, driver Kevin Cummings signaled El Toro Loco to start his drive to the top and he did so willingly.
Gathering the advantage midway down the backstretch the final time, El Toro Loco opened up a comfortable three-length margin at the top of the stretch and cruised home an easy 2-1/2 length winner. Communion Money (David McNeight III) initially finished second but was disqualified to third due to interference in the stretch with My One Percent (Drew Monti), who was elevated to the runner-up position.
Co-owned by the El Dorado Stable and Michael Torcello, it was the fourth victory in eight outings on the season for the six-year-old El Toro Loco (Walner-Southwind Cabaret). Conditioned by Samuel Smith, the score upped his seasonal bankroll to $38,344 and lifetime earnings to $287,048.
Kevin Cummings capped off the matinee program with four wins, while Drew Monti and David McNeight III each picked up three. Joseph Chindano Jr. notched a driving double. Trainers Courtney Wright, James Clouser Jr., and Samuel Smith each recorded two victories.
Live racing returns on Wednesday, March 26, at 2:30 p.m., featuring a 14-race program.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)