Wolinak ($5.90) has been knocking on victory's door the last three weeks, but on Friday, June 6 in Buffalo Raceway's feature, the Ontario-sired gelding blasted through it with a convincing 2-3/4-length win over the lukewarm favourite Crazy Ritz in a seasonal best 1:58.4 over the fast track.
After two second-place finishes and third in his past three outings, Wolinak got right to the point in an $18,493 conditioned optional claiming trot and set relaxed splits of :30.4, 1:01.1 and 1:30.2 in rein to John Cummings Jr. With a panel to go, Crazy Ritz (James McNeight Jr.) was still following along in the pocket and Famous Dan (Kevin Cummings) was taking the first-over route. But Wolinak ended his recent disappointments by using a :28.2 final panel to erase any hopes the closers may have had. Crazy Ritz held on to second place while Famous Dan was third.
Co-owned by trainer Andrew Torre and Kristen Torre, Wolinak (Wheeling N Dealin-Flora Dream) earned his second win of the season from seven starts. The five-year-old trotter's 13th career win pushed his earnings over $140,000.
Wolinak gave John Cummings Jr. back-to-back winners following a victory aboard the David Russo-trained Mach Le More A ($4.90).
Chris Petrelli led all trainers with four wins on the 13-race card, courtesy of Woodmere Macerena ($3.10, Drew Monti), Sleazy Rolls ($3.50, Kyle Swift), Beantownboy ($2.90, Swift) and Lydias Liberty ($2.10, Joseph Chindano Jr.).
Racing resumes at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., with a 12-race program.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)