Wolinak ends close calls at Buffalo

HAMBURG, N.Y. — Wolinak (Wheeling N Dealin) has been knocking on victory’s door the last three weeks but on Friday afternoon (June 6) in Buffalo Raceway’s $13,800 trot, he blasted through it with a convincing 2-3/4 length harness racing win over the lukewarm favorite Crazy Ritz in a seasonal best 1:58.4 over the fast track.

After two second place finishes and third in his past three outings, Wolinak (John Cummings Jr.) got right to the point and set relaxed splits of :30.4, 1:01.1 and 1:30.2.

With a panel to go, Crazy Ritz (James McNeight Jr.) was still following along in the pocket and Famous Dan was taking the first over route. But Wolinak ($5.90)  ended his recent disappointments by using a :28.2 final panel to erase any hopes the closers may have had. Crazy Ritz held on to second place while Famous Dan (Kevin Cummings) was third.

Co-owned by trainer Andrew Torre and Kristen Torre, it was the second victory in seven races for the 5-year-old gelded Wolinak (Wheeling N Dealin-Flora Dream). The win jumped his 2025 earnings to $23,146 and to $106,155 lifetime.

After throwing a clunker last week after two straight wins, Summer Slash ($6.60) returned to her winning ways with a three length victory over Rightfully Mine in 1:56.2.

Summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) wasn’t on the top of her game last week with a seventh place finish, but she righted the ship on Friday by going gate to wire.

Starting from the inside post, Summer Slash fired from the gate and immediately took control of the race. With fractions of :29.0, :59.1 and 1:29.0, Rightfully Mine (Kyle Swift) and Sweet Gadgets (Steven Hudon) were poised to try and chase down the front runner. But that never materialized as Summer Slash blitzed the final quarter in :27.2 to eliminate the hopes of Rightfully Mine and Sweet Gadgets who had to settle for second and third respectively.

Owned by Ilovemyharnesshorsesummer and conditioned by Ryan Swift, it was the third win in eight attempts this season for the 6-year-old Summer Slash (Downbytheseaside-Before The Poison). The score increased her seasonal earnings to $21,720 and to $180,285 in her career.

Kyle Swift and Joseph Chindano Jr. each had three victories on the program with John Cummings Jr. and Fisher Jr. getting two. Christopher Petrelli had four training wins with Rachel Mungillo and Ryan Swift posting two apiece.

Racing returns on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 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

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway