Author: by Brian Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

There was nothing crazy about Just Plain Loco’s victory in Buffalo Raceway’s $15,500 Open Pace on Saturday night (May 13) as he used a workmanlike effort to beat Avion Seelster by a half length in a seasonal best 1:54.3 over a fast track.

Bad To The Bone N, who just missed South Beach Star’s 1:48.2 mile at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania — the fastest mile in North American harness racing this year — last week, had an easier time on Saturday afternoon (May 13) with a 1:50.3 win in the $18,500 pacing co-feature.

Fulton and Voukefalas made big moves upward in Week 2 of Dave Little’s “Road to The Meadowlands Pace” as each won impressively last week. Fulton is now at No. 3 in the Top 10 Poll, while Voukefalas is No. 4.

Bringoverthemoney will try to register his sixth consecutive win on Sunday’s (May 14) season-opening program at Running Aces.

Saturday’s (May 13) qualifiers at the Meadowlands was the stage for several of the returning stars of last season to hone their skills as 2023 stakes get underway in earnest. The track was fast with temperatures in the 60s and little wind.

Abby Rose and driver Ridge Warren captured the featured $10,500 pacing event for fillies and mares at Tioga Downs on Friday (May 12).

While driver Kevin Switzer Jr. may have had the hot hands on the Friday (May 12) program at Cumberland Raceway with three wins, all eyes were on Bruce Ranger after the seventh race as over 40 of his fellow drivers, trainers, family, friends and local horsepeople surrounded the hometown hero in recognition of his recent 10,000-win milestone.

Unusual Clarity and trainer-driver Ron Harp slipped by pacesetting favorite Special Olivia late to capture the $6,500 distaff pacing feature at Vernon Downs on Friday (May 12).