Front runners rule at Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. — It was a front end paradise at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday afternoon (May 30) as 10 winners out of the 13 races contested were executed in that fashion including both the featured  $14,700 Open Pace and Open Trot.

Lanjo Lee ($3.80) enjoyed the fresh air on the lead and cruised to an easy four length victory over Marvellous Mac A in 1:54.0 in the Open Pace while Makes Me Charlie ($5.46) followed suit in the Open Trot with a convincing two length triumph over Crazy Fool in 1:58.3. Both times by the victors were in seasonal best efforts.

Lanjo Lee (Kyle Cummings) fought to the top from the three hole and posted reasonable fractions of :28.4, :58.0 and 1:26.1 over the fast track.

Marvellous Mac A (Drew Monti) was first over and got within a length with a quarter mile to pace but Lanjo Lee blasted a :27.1 over the last panel to easily stride away to the victory. Marvellous Mac A could do no better than second place with Bottle Rocket (Michael Whalen) finishing 9-1/4 lengths back in third.

Owned by Gordon Swift and trained by Tammy Cummings, it was the second win in 12 appearances for the 7-year old Lanjo Lee (So Surreal-My Drag Queen). The victory upped his seasonal earnings to $37,995 and to $388,793 lifetime.

In the Open Trot, Makes Me Charlie took full advantage of the pylon position and never looked back in collecting the decision.

Setting the tempo with fractions of :29.4, :59.4 and 1:29.3, Makes Me Charlie (James McNeight Jr.) was aided by the usually front running and the heavily favored El Toro Loco who broke stride at the start of the event.

With the complexion of the race now changed as not having to deal with El Toro Loco, Makes Me Charlie enjoyed a 1-1/2 length lead with a panel to go and had nothing but clear sailing the rest of the way, notching the two length win. It was a great battle for the minor awards as Crazy Fool (Kyle Cummings) took the second place award, beating Mercutio (Brett MacDonald) who settled for third.

Co-owned by trainer Margaret Butler and Amy Butler, it was the second trip to the winner’s circle in 2026 for the 6-year-old Makes Me Charlie (Met’s Hall-Makes Me Crazy). The score took his bankroll to $15,185 on the year and to $126,245 in his career.

David MvNeight III continued his solid week with four wins on the program while McNeight Jr. and Monti each doubled. Candace Brandstatter-Hall and Dakota Jackson each had two training victories.

Racing will resume on Wednesday afternoon with a 15-race program set. The New York Sire Stakes returns for the first time this season as the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers square off in the sixth race for a purse of $121,800. The card will open with a single division of the Excelsior Stakes with $20,000 on the line for the sophomore male pacers.

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