Hamburg, NY — After two straight second place finishes in the Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway, Castyourcrown ($8.70) finally got the job done on Friday afternoon (April 7) to earn the lion’s share of the $15,000 purse with a 1-1/4 length decision over Good Boy in a seasonal best 1:58.4 over the fast track.

It was a hard-fought battle for early supremacy with Castyourcrown (David McNeight III) eventually relinquishing the front end to Good Boy (Ray Fisher Jr.). With fractions of :29.1, 1:00.0 and 1:29.3, Good Boy knew he was in for a battle as the field of seven were all in striking distance with a panel to go.

Castyourcrown finally gets the job done in Open Trot. Bill Burke photo. 

While Good Boy was tough in the stretch, Castyourcrown was better as he zoomed through the passing lane with a :29.0 final quarter to draw off for the victory. Good Boy managed to hang on for second while Cr Blazin Beauty (John Cummings Jr.) took third place honors.

Co-owned by Blake Daniels and Never Give Up Racing, it was the third win in 12 starts this season for the 5-year-old gelded Castyourcrown (Dontyouforgetit-Future Cast). The score took his bankroll to $30,422 on the campaign and $187,400 lifetime.

Explosive Leggs ($43.40) was claimed three times in the past three weeks but the uprooting of his living arrangements didn’t matter to him. The 11-year-old gelding was super stubborn in stunning the field in the $13,500 Open II Trot in a seasonal best 1:59.2. He beat The Irishman (James McNeight Jr.) by 2-1/4 lengths with HP Maestro (Fisher Jr.) taking the show check.

Explosive Leggs posts $43.40 upset in Open II Trot. Bill Burke photo.

Now in the Keith Kash Jr. barn for new owner Joseph Boza, Explosive Leggs set the tempo with fractions of :30.0, 1:00.2 and 1:29.3. The Irishman drafted in the pocket and pulled twice in the final half in an effort to gain the lead but Explosive Leggs (Kash Jr.) said a resounding ‘no’ to both attempts.

With the victory, Explosive Leggs (Explosive Matter-American Leggs) has taken five victories in 11 appearances. His bankroll moved to $31,790 on the year and $371,181 in his career.

There were four $12,500 divisions in the Jumpstart Series for those with a Trackmaster Rating of 73.5 or less. YS Lotus ($5.20) was the fastest amongst the winners with a time of 1:56.1. Others who were victorious included Traffic Citation ($4.60, 1:57.4), Rearview Blue Chip ($6.40, 1:57.4) and Best Shot N ($8.90, 1:58.4).

McNeight III finished the sun splashed afternoon with a driving triple while Jim Morrill Jr. registered a double. David Russo posted a pair of victories on the training side.

Racing will continue on Saturday (April 8) evening at 6 p.m. with a 13-race program to be presented.

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com