Hamburg, NY — Makes Me Charlie ($15.40) saved plenty of ground during Buffalo Raceway’s $16,000 Open Trot on Friday afternoon (June 20) and that journey paid big dividends in the end as he toppled Wolinak by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:58.0 over the fast track.
Watching El Toro Loco stomp of fractions of :29.4, :59.3 and 1:28.4, Makes Me Charlie was content in skimming the pylons in sixth place. But once reaching the three-quarter marker, driver James McNeight Jr. started to roll with the ground saving Makes Me Charlie.
El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) turned for home on the lead but things started to fall apart for him down the stretch.
The first over Wolinak (John Cummings Jr.) started to cut into that lead but Makes Me Charlie in the meantime gobbled up major real estate in the passing lane and roared home for the victory. A final panel of :28.2 for Makes Me Charlie sealed the victory. Wolinak did hold on for second place with the favored El Toro Loco finishing in third.
Co-owned by trainer Margaret Butler and Amy Butler, the 5-year-old gelded Makes Me Charlie scored his first victory of the season after three previous outings. The win upped his 2025 bankroll to $13,740 and to $34.100 in his career.
Jim Morrill Jr. had four victories on the card with Kyle Cummings and McNeight Jr. each collecting a pair.
Racing will continue on Saturday (June 21) afternoon at 1:30 p.m. with a 12-race program scheduled.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com