It may have been April Fool's Day on Saturday (April 1) but CR Blazin Beauty didn't fool around in Buffalo Raceway's $17,500 Open Trot as the lone mare in the event handled the seven gentlemen sidewinders by 4-1/2 lengths in 2:01.1 over the "sloppy" track.
There was a minor skirmish in the early going, but when things sorted themselves CR Blazin Beauty found herself in the lead. With fractions of :29.4, 1:00.4 and 1:31, CR Blazin Beauty was looking good with a five-length edge turning for the homestretch. She then easily disposed of Secret Bro and Captain Krupnik, who had no answers and had to settle for second and third place, respectively.
Owned by Marissa Russo and trained by David Russo, nine-year-old CR Blazin Beauty (Crazed-Melrose Abbey) made her fourth trip to the winner's circle this year in 10 starts. The victory moved her seasonal earnings to $28,980 and her lifetime bankroll to $457,932. John Cummings Jr. drove the $14 winner.
Just Plain Loco went from last to first and proved he's the best pacer currently on the Buffalo Raceway campus as he impressively roared to a throttled down two-length score over SBD Corazon in 1:57.4. It was the second straight win for Just Plain Loco in the $17,500 Open Pace. He is fresh off a 3-1/4-length win in last week's top feature.
With Villiam splashing out the splits of :29 and :59.3 to the opening half, Just Plain Loco settled into seventh and last heading down the lane the first time. But things changed quickly as Just Plain Loco eagerly paced to the top and was leading the way with a panel to go.
There was little suspense down the stretch and Just Plain Loco was much the best and watched as SBD Corazon and Villiam battled it out for the minor rewards.
Trained by Jennifer Giuliani and co-owned by Paul Lang and Mark Toth, seven-year-old Just Plain Loco (Well Said-Symphony In Motion) earned his second victory in three tries this year. The score jacked his 2023 earnings to $18,708 and his career bankroll to $425,153. David McNeight III drove the $7.10 winner.
Alta Engen A didn't disappoint in the $15,100 pace as he convincingly turned back Reggiano by four lengths while Thor De Vie took the show position. The winning time was 1:57 flat.
It was a battle for early supremacy as Blue Spanx, Tony Too Tall and All About Lynx all duked it out. But a :28.4 opening split and a :58.1 clocking to the half had the closers ready to pounce, and pounce they did.
Alta Engen A was first up and the first-over journey was all they needed. Reaching the three-quarter pole in 1:28, Alta Engen A was in cruise control in the homestretch and disposed of any thoughts of Reggiano or Thor De Vie had of pulling the comeback.
Owned by Mike Torcello and conditioned by Samuel Smith, seven-year-old gelding Alta Engen A (Alta Christiano-Its Karma) earned his fifth win in 10 starts for the season. His winnings have now increased to $30,697 on the season and $157,427 in his life. Jim Morrill Jr. drove the $2.60 winner.
Buffalo Raceway's April schedule finds action on Wednesday and Friday afternoons beginning at 2:30 p.m. (EDT) while Saturday will still have a 6 p.m. start time. There is an 11-race program set for this Wednesday.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)