Lyons Surfing fittingly relished the wet conditions at Buffalo Raceway as he went first-up to victory in the drenching rain and over a sloppy track in the $21,233 Open Handicap Pace on Saturday, May 16.
A week off after finishing fourth and eighth in his past two starts proved to be the answer for Lyons Surfing. He had a five-race win streak from March into April, but the two dull appearances earned him a respite, and he returned refreshed and ready to go.
Bet On Buter (Keith Kash Jr.) rolled out to the early advantage and produced fractions of :28.3, :58 and 1:28. Lyons Surfing was sitting fourth approaching the half and began his steady progression on the outside toward the lead. Bet On Buter and Lyons Surfing were on even terms turning for home with the long stretch to determine the outcome. The surf was up for Lyons Surfing (Ray Fisher Jr.) down the lane, and he splashed his way to the victory over Mach Le More A (Kevin Cummings) by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.4. Bet On Buter tailed off in the end and finished in third.
Owned by PT Stable and trained by Sheena Cohen, Lyons Surfing has won six times in nine appearances in 2026. The six-year-old son of Stay Hungry-Surfside Sexy has now won 27 of 96 career starts and has earned $516,266. He paid $5.40 to win.
In the co-featured $21,233 Open Trot, El Toro Loco ($3.46) stayed as clean as possible with a pacesetting three-quarter-length victory over Crazy Ritz in 1:59.2. Racing right to the lead for Kevin Cummings, El Toro Loco didn't catch any spray as he posted consistent splits of :30.1, 1:00.1 and 1:30 as Crazy Ritz (James McNeight Jr.) sat patiently in the pocket. Crazy Ritz closed in down the lane, but El Toro Loco held him at bay for the victory. Shine All The Way (David McNeight III) was four lengths back of the winner in third.
El Toro Loco now has three wins in eight seasonal starts for trainer Samuel Smith and owner Michael Torcello. The seven-year-old Walner-Southwind Cabaret gelding has won 27 times and earned $415,145 from 118 career outings.
Brett MacDonald had four wins on the 12-race card, with James McNeight Jr. and Drew Monti each snagging two. Chris Petrelli and Cohen produced two training wins apiece.
Racing will resume at Buffalo on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. with a 13-race program scheduled.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)