Lougazi, YS Lotus continue winning ways at Buffalo

HAMBURG, N.Y. — The front end was the place to be at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday afternoon (April 9) but someone forgot to tell Lougazi ($2.90).

With most of the harness racing winners on the 12-race program coming from horses on or near the lead, Lougazi (David McNeight III) did the complete opposite and came from well back again to win the $15,000 Open Trot in a seasonal best 1:58.2 over the fast track.

In the co-featured $15,000 Open I-II Pace, YS Lotus (Kevin Cummings) made it 5-for-5 on the season at Buffalo Raceway by going gate-to-wire in 1:55.2, the fastest mile of the meet. He held off Reggiano (McNeight III) by a neck while Rockette Baby (Drew Monti) was third.

The even money favorite Foolish Prophet had a miscue behind the starting gate before the wings opened and never was a factor.

Castyourcrown, who was able to hold off Lougazi in last week’s trotting main event by three quarters of a length, had to take control of the action on the front end as Wilberforce, a known pace setter, broke stride going into the opening turn.

Setting splits of :30.2 and 1:00.1 through the opening half, Castyourcrown (Jim Morrill Jr.) tried to bottom out the field by trotting away to a three length lead midway down the backstretch for the final time. It seemed like a good tactic as he managed to get away from everyone except for the hard-charging Lougazi who lurked back in fifth.

Turning for home, Castyourcrown and Lougazi broke away from the field, making it a match race to the wire. It wasn’t much of a match however as Lougazi powerfully trotted on by and pulled away confidently to pick up the three quarter length victory. Castyourcrown easily held on to second with Sanchez Rocks (Shawn McDonough) finishing in third.

Owned by Mary Warriner and conditioned by Ryan Swift, it was the second win in three tries for the 8-year-old Lougazi (Lou’s Legacy-Winning Blade). The victory moved his 2022 bankroll to $18,750 and $332,231 lifetime.

YS Lotus had little issue in collecting the top and stomped out fractions of :29.0, :57.3 and 1:26.4. Reggiano began his first over journey heading down the back stretch the last time. While getting into serious contention, Reggiano just couldn’t figure out as YS Lotus gamely crossed the wire in front.

Trained by Gerry Sarama and owned by Michael Torcello, YS Lotus (If I Can Dream-Bolero Takara) is an 11-year-old gelding that has now won five times in nine outings. The victory upped his seasonal earnings to $30,002 and $466.829 in his career.

Monti had four winners on the matinee card with Morrill Jr. getting three and Kevin Cummings collecting a pair. Sarama had two training victories.

Racing will continue on Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. with an 11-race card scheduled.

For full race results, click here. 

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway