Hamburg, NY – Toreador GB ($20.86) showed plenty of grit and determination in the stretch and was able to hold back the late challenge of Lanjo Lee in Buffalo Raceway’s $14,700 Open Pace on Saturday afternoon (May 23).
He used a seasonal best time of 1:55.4. to stave off Lanjo Lee by a head while I Ain’t No Mack was third.
The Writer (Travis Henry) was able to put up the early fractions of :28.3 and :57.3 over the good track but threw in the towel at the three-quarter marker as Toreador GB (Greg Merton) took over the lead at that point.
With a time of 1:27.1 in the books, Toreador GB had to contend with Lanjo Lee (Kyle Cummings) making a slow and steady climb to the top. In the stretch, Lanjo Lee fought desperately to get past a stubborn Toreador GB who successfully held his ground to the wire. I Ain’t No Mack (Kevin Cummings) scrambled to collect the third-place check.
Owned by Monique Cohen and trained by Sheena Cohen, it was the third victory in nine appearances for Toreador GB (Matador Hall-Lady Claires Best). The win also was his third in his last four starts. With the decision, Toreador GB has earned $23,610 on the season and jumped his lifetime mark to $107,562.
The $14,700 Open Trot was kind of ‘nuts’ as Crazy Ritz ($3.72) managed to bang out a three-quarter length victory over El Toro Loco in 2:00.4.
The onset of the race saw El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) zoom to take early command but the rail riding Crazy Ritz (James McNeight Jr.) wanted no part of the pocket and retook the edge.
Approaching the opening stanza, Crazy Ritz was able to fully take control of the event as El Toro Loco got the perfect pocket journey. With steady fractions of :30.1, 1:00.2 and 1:31, the pair were able to break away from the pack in the sprint to the wire. Crazy Ritz comfortably kept El Toro Loco at bay with Deliciousstone DK (Monti) getting up to take third.
Owned by James Palladino and conditioned by Jeff Martin, it was the third victory in 11 tries for Crazy Ritz (Crazy Wow-Bubblesnitz). The win upped his 2026 bankroll to $43,565 and to $282,107 in his career.
Merton and Monti each had three victories while Brett MacDonald and David McNeight III posted doubles. Sam Smith topped the trainers with four trips to the winner’s circle while Sheena Cohen and Russo collected two victories apiece.
Racing will return on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a 13-race program scheduled.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.