Hamburg, NY — Just Plain Loco put in a ‘crazy good’ performance in Buffalo Raceway’s $15,000 Open Pace on Saturday afternoon (June 11) as he turned in the fastest mile of the 2022 meet with a 1:53 time, beating the favored Long Train Runnin by four lengths.

Making the move to Buffalo Raceway from Yonkers, Just Plain Loco ($8.80) sure did enjoy his first start in Western New York.

Long Train Runnin (Drew Monti) showed the way with fractions of :29, :57.3 and 1:25.2. After enjoying a long lead, things got rocky for the pacesetter with a quarter mile to pace.

Just Plain Loco was on a first-over move going up the backstretch the final time and was on even terms with Long Train Running with a panel to go.

A two-horse breakaway gave way to absolute domination by Just Plain Loco, who turned on the afterburners and easily pulled away through a :27.3 last split. Long Train Runnin held on for second while Stop Action (Kevin Cummings) took third.

Just Plain Loco’s 1:53 win in Saturday’s Open Pace was the fastest mile of the 2022 Buffalo Raceway stand. Bill Burke photo.

Owned by Paul Lang and trained by Jennifer Giuliani, the 6-year-old Well Said gelding Just Plain Loco scored his second win in 15 starts this season. The decision moved his 2022 bankroll to $36,445 and $327,020 in his career.

Stratosphere ($2.70) sent the field into orbit in the $13,100 sub-featured conditioned pace with a convincing 3-1/4-length victory over Amrcanbootscoota A in 1:56.0.

After playing give-and-go with Amrcanbootscoota A (Mike Baumeister) up the backstretch the first time, Stratosphere (Drew Monti) notched splits of :29, :58.3 and 1:27.4 before opening up a comfortable two-length edge with a panel to pace.

There weren’t any nervous moments down the lane for Stratosphere, who comfortably rolled to victory. Amrcanbootscoota A held on in the battle for second place with Bali Beach (Shawn McDonough) taking third.

Owned by Drew Monti and trained by Darrin Monti, Stratosphere earned second win in nine tries in his 7-year-old season. The victory jumped his seasonal bankroll to $22,344 and $200,592 lifetime.

Jim Morrill Jr. had a triple on the card with McNeight III getting a pair. McDonough had two training victories.

Racing will resume on Wednesday afternoon (June 15) with an eight-race card slated.

Buffalo Raceway announced that, starting this coming Wednesday, purses will be increased by 10 percent. Also, for the next two weeks, Buffalo Raceway will have programs on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday with post time each day at 1:30 p.m. The regular Wednesday, Friday, Saturday schedule will resume on June 28.

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