Castyourcrown takes Buffalo trotting throne

HAMBURG, N.Y. — After two straight second place finishes in the Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway, Castyourcrown (Dontyouforgetit-Future Cast, $8.70) finally got the job done on Friday afternoon (April 7) to earn the lion’s share of the $15,000 purse with a 1-1/4 length decision over Good Boy in a seasonal best 1:58.4 over the fast track.

It was a hard fought battle for early supremacy with Castyourcrown (David McNeight III) eventually relinquishing the front end to Good Boy (Ray Fisher Jr.). With fractions of :29.1, 1:00.0 and 1:29.3, Good Boy knew he was in for a battle as the field of seven were all in striking distance with a panel to go.

While Good Boy was tough in the stretch, Castyourcrown was better as he zoomed through the passing lane with a :29.0 final quarter to draw off for the victory. Good Boy managed to hang on for second while Cr Blazin Beauty (John Cummings Jr.) took third place honors.

Co-owned by Blake Daniels and Never Give Up Racing, it was the third win in 12 starts this season for the 5-year-old gelded Castyourcrown. The score took his bankroll to $30,422 on the campaign and $187,400 lifetime.

Explosive Leggs (Explosive Matter-American Leggs, $43.20) was claimed three times in the past three weeks but the uprooting of his living arrangements didn’t matter to him. The 11-year-old gelding was super stubborn in stunning the field in the $13,500 Open II Trot in a seasonal best 1:59.2. He beat The Irishman (James McNeight Jr.) by 2-1/4 lengths with HP Maestro (Fisher Jr.) taking the show check.

Now in the Keith Kash Jr. barn for new owner Joseph Boza, Explosive Leggs set the tempo with fractions of :30.0, 1:00.2 and 1:29.3. The Irishman drafted in the pocket and pulled twice in the final half in an effort to gain the lead but Explosive Leggs (Kash Jr.) said a resounding ‘no’ to both attempts.

With the victory, Explosive Leggs has taken five victories in 11 appearances. His bankroll moved to $31,790 on the year and $371,181 in his career.

There were four $12,500 divisions in the Jumpstart Series for those with a Trackmaster Rating of 73.5 or less. YS Lotus ($5.20) was the fastest amongst the winners with a time of 1:56.1. Others who were victorious included Traffic Citation ($4.60, 1:57.4), Rearview Blue Chip ($6.40, 1:57.4) and Best Shot N ($8.90, 1:58.4).

McNeight III finished the sun splashed afternoon with a driving triple while Jim Morrill Jr. registered a double. David Russo posted a pair of victories on the training side.

Racing will continue on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with a 13-race program to be presented.

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com