Hamburg, NY — It was a front-end paradise at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday afternoon (May 30) as 10 winners out of the 13 races contested succeeded in that fashion, including the winners of both featured $14,700 Open events.
Lanjo Lee ($3.80) enjoyed the fresh air on the lead and cruised to an easy 4-length victory over Marvellous Mac A in 1:54 in the Open Pace while Makes Me Charlie ($5.46) followed suit in the Open Trot with a convincing 2-length triumph over Crazy Fool in 1:58.3. Both times by the victors were in seasonal best efforts.
Lanjo Lee (Kyle Cummings) fought to the top from the three-hole and posted reasonable fractions of :28.4, :58 and 1:26.1 over a fast track.
Marvellous Mac A (Drew Monti) was first-over and got within a length with a quarter mile to pace, but Lanjo Lee blasted a :27.1 last panel to easily stride away the victory. Marvellous Mac A could do no better than second place with Bottle Rocket (Michael Whalen) finishing 9-1/4 lengths back in third.
It was the second win in 12 appearances for the 7-year old Lanjo Lee (So Surreal-My Drag Queen), who is owned by Gordon Swift and trained by Tammy Cummings. The victory upped his seasonal earnings to $37,995 and to $388,793 lifetime.
In the Open Trot, Makes Me Charlie took full advantage of pylon position and never looked back in collecting the decision.
Setting fractions of :29.4, :59.4 and 1:29.3, Makes Me Charlie (James McNeight Jr.) was aided by a break in stride from the heavily favored El Toro Loco.
With the complexion of the race changed, Makes Me Charlie enjoyed a 1-1/2-length lead with a panel to go and had nothing but clear sailing the rest of the way, notching a 2-length win. It was a great battle for the minor awards as Crazy Fool (Kyle Cummings) took second, beating Mercutio (Brett MacDonald), who settled for third.
It was the second trip to the winner’s circle in 2026 for the 6-year-old Makes Me Charlie (Met’s Hall-Makes Me Crazy), whom trainer Margaret Butler co-owns with Amy Butler. The score took his bankroll to $15,185 on the year and $126,245 in his career.
David MvNeight III continued his solid week with four wins on the program while McNeight and Monti each doubled. Candace Brandstatter-Hall and Dakota Jackson each had two training victories.
Racing will resume on Wednesday afternoon (June 3) with a 15-race program set. The New York Sire Stakes makes its first Buffalo stop this season as 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers square off in the sixth race for a purse of $121,800. The card will open with a single division of the Excelsior Stakes, with $20,000 on the line for the sophomore male pacers.
For more information, including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.