Just Plain Loco outkicks field to the wire

HAMBURG, N.Y. — There was nothing crazy about Just Plain Loco’s (Well Said-Symphony In Motion) victory in Buffalo Raceway’s $15,500 Open Pace on Saturday night (May 13) as he used a workman-like effort to beat Avion Seelster by a half a length in a seasonal best 1:54.3 over the fast harness racing track.

Scoring from the four post, Just Plain Loco (David McNeight III) had no issues in reaching the top against five other rivals. Registering sensible fractions of :28.3, :58.0 and 1:27.1, Just Plain Loco ($4.50) had only Avion Seelster (Keith Kash Jr.) and Tony Too Tall (Kevin Cummings) to contend with in the drive to the wire.

Just Plain Loco was just too steady down the stretch, not allowing either Avion Seelster or Tony Too Tall to make serious bids until the shadow of the line as a :27.2 last split did the trick.

Co-owned by Paul Lang and Mark Toth, the 7-year-old Just Plain Loco is trained by Jennifer Giuliani. The win was his fourth in eight tries and increased his bankroll to $35,948 on the campaign and $42,393 lifetime.

Sporty Deal (Sportswriter-Michelle’s Ideal) lulled the field to sleep in the opening half mile of the $13,500 pace then was wide awake the rest of the way to notch the victory over Villiam in 1:57.1. It was the second consecutive win for Sporty Deal.

Driver Keith Kash Jr. set the leisurely fractions with Sporty Deal as they went a pedestrian :31.0 to the opening panel and 1:00.4 to the half mile. But the tempo picked up after that as Sporty Deal used a back half of :56.1 including a :28.0 last panel to hold back the late surging Villiam (Joseph Chindano Jr.) by a half length. The favored Sportskeeper (Jim Morrill Jr.) took the show position.

Owned by L’Emmur Stable LLC and trained by Kash Jr., the 5-year-old Sporty Deal has now collected his third victory in eight attempts in 2023. The win upped his seasonal earnings to $20,375 and $54,985 in his career. He paid $8.00 to win.

Racing will resume on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with an 11-race program set.

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by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway