“Loco” turns in fastest mile of the meet

HAMBURG, N.Y. — Just Plain Loco (Well Said) 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 harness racing 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 for driver David McNeight, III.

Long Train Runnin (Drew Monti) showed the way with fractions of :29.0, :57.3 and 1:25.2. While enjoying the lead with a quarter mile to pace, things were able to get rocky for the pace setter.

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.

In what was a two-horse breakaway, it soon became one as Just Plain Loco turned on the afterburners and easily pulled away for the devastating victory, largely in part to a :27.3 last split. Long Train Runnin held on for second while Stop Action (Kevin Cummings) took third.

Owned by Paul Lang and trained by Jennifer Giuliani, it was the second win in 15 starts for the 6-year-old gelded Just Plain Loco. The decision moved his 2022 bankroll to $36,445 and $327,020 in his career.

Stratosphere (Mach Three, $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) going down the backstretch the first time, Stratosphere (Drew Monti) was able to notch splits of :29.0, :58.3 and 1:27.4, opening up a comfortable two length edge with a panel to pace.

There weren’t any nervous moments down the lane for Stratosphere as he kept his eyes on the prize in rolling to the comfortable 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, it was the second win in nine tries for the 7-year-old gelded Stratosphere. 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 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 Wednesday, June 28.

For complete race results, click here.

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway