Hamburg, NY — One thing is for certain, El Toro Loco ($6.60) sure does love Buffalo Raceway.
For the third time in as many tries this season, El Toro Loco found his way to the winner’s circle in the $14,500 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway with a neck win over Big Baller Beane in 1:59.4 over a good track on Friday afternoon (April 11).
Alternating between starts at Northfield Park and Buffalo Raceway since early March, El Toro Loco has found little success in Ohio, but when shuffling back to Western New York, he’s been nothing but brilliant.
This week, El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) was able to grab the lead from post six and registered fractions of :30.2 and 1:01.1. His cause was helped as My One Percent and Platinum Proposal broke stride, thus reducing the competitive field to just five. El Toro Loco stayed attentive the second half as Big Ball Beane and Double Class tried to stay involved after a three quarter mark of 1:30.3. But there were a few anxious moments down the stretch as El Toro Loco had to hold off late bids from Big Baller Beane (Dan Yetman) and Dougadougadew (Kyle Cummings), who finished in second and third, respectively.
It was the fifth victory in 10 starts on the season for the 6-year-old El Toro Loco (Walner-Southwind Cabaret), who is owned by El Dorado Stables and Michael Torcello. The win upped his 2025 bankroll to $35,520 and to $261,285 in his career.
Crazy Ritz ($6.70) showed the way the entire mile in the $12,500 sub-featured trot but had to hold off a pesky Newsboy to claim a half-length victory in 1:59.3.
Shooting off the car from the start, Crazy Ritz (James McNeight Jr.) had no resistance in reaching the top in :29.4. With Newsboy tracking in second through a half in 1:00, Rodeo Hill was starting a first-over trip down the backstretch the final time but broke stride, basically eliminating everyone who was following along.
This just left Crazy Ritz and Newsboy to battle it out down the lane. In the stretch, Crazy Ritz never wavered as Newsboy (Drew Monti) tried in vain to catch the leader but fell short in his effort. Poets N Pirates (Dan Yetman) took third place in the scrum for minor honors.
It was the first victory of the season for the 6-year-old Crazy Ritz (Crazy Wow-Bubblesnritz), who is owned by James Palladino and trained by Jim McNeight. The win increased his 2025 total to $8,485 and to $164,047 lifetime.
VJ Panderosa (Monti) stunned the field in the sixth race, returning $161.00 to win and capping a $8,756 payoff in the Pick-5.
Monti finished the afternoon with a driving triple.
Racing will resume on Saturday (April 12) at 2:30 p.m. with a 10-race program scheduled. For more information, including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.