HAMBURG, N.Y. — It has been nearly a month since Total Stranger ($10.42) found his way to the winner’s circle. But he’s no longer a stranger as he reacquainted himself there after a half-length victory over Lanjo Lee in Buffalo Raceway’s $14,700 Open Pace on Saturday afternoon (July 18).
Fitting to get the early lead, Total Stranger (John Cummings Jr.) notched splits of :28.2 and :57.0 to the half. After that, they tried to bottom out the field as Total Stranger opened up a six-length advantage down the backstretch.
But that advantage was quickly diminishing as the closers started to make themselves known after hitting the final marker in 1:26.1.
Down the lane, Total Stranger didn’t fade away although Lanjo Lee (Kyle Cummings) and Lip Reader A Drew Monti) got in striking distance but couldn’t get past the pacesetter.
Owned by Fred Yellen and trained by Taylor Fritz, it was the seventh victory in 19 tries for Total Stranger (Bettor’s Delight-Precocious Beauty). The triumph increased his seasonal earnings to $43,897 and to $290,197 in his career.
In the $14,700 Open Trot, the field was scratched down to five as Starlitcresentroll and The Governor were both dismissed from action. But the short field didn’t both Shine All The Way ($29.82) at all as the longest shot on the board went from last to first in posting a half-length victory over Dougadougadew in 1:58.2.
With a mad scramble for the lead between the five remaining entrants, Crazy Ritz (James McNeight Jr.) eventually wrangled the lead and posted fractions of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:29.2.
But heading to the three-quarter pole, Shine All The Way went first over from fifth and last, brushing to the top around the final turn. Down the stretch, Shine All The Way (David McNeight III) remained strong as Dougadougadew (Kyle Cummings) and Crazy Ritz could only watch.
Owned and trained by Jason Seymour, it was the third win in 11 tries on the season for Shine All The Way (Dontyouforgetit-Heres Holly). The victory increased his seasonal bankroll to $52,899 and to $472,932 in his career.
On closing day, Buffalo Raceway handed out its year end awards.
Infinity Stone (II Sogno Dream-Magic Factory) took home the ‘Trotter of the Meet’ award as he won eight times in 19 starts at Buffalo Raceway. His eight victories were the most among all horses this year as were his earnings ($57,720).
Owned by Caeleo Enterprises LLC of Eden, NY, and trained by David Russo, Infinity Stone also had two runner-up positions and two thirds. His seasonal best effort was 1:56.4.
The ‘Pacer of the Meet’ went to Make My Deo who is co-owned by Luis Ramirez of Anderson, IN and Frank Petrelli Jr. of Depew, NY.
Make My Deo (American Ideal-Electric Fool) is an 8-year-old gelding who is trained by Chris Petrelli. He was a model of consistency on the year as in 19 starts, My My Deo produced six wins, seven place finishes and a third. In his last eight attempts, he was either first or second in seven of those. He was tied for the most wins with three other pacers and hsi fastest time of the season was 1:55.4. Make My Deo earned $29,610 on the season.
Samuel Smith won his fourth consecutive training title at Buffalo Raceway and did it with his career best.
Smith collected 69 wins on the year and $582,439 in purse earnings, both career highs. In his past title runs, he had 49 victories in 2023, 62 in 2024 and 57 in 2025.
Drew Monti of Depew, NY, was the ‘million-dollar man’ in collecting his second straight driving crown. The 31-year-old, who just recently hit 3,000 career wins, showed the way with a career high 136 victories at Buffalo Raceway and a UDR of .353, the best among the regulars in the driver colony. Monti also went over the million-dollar mark for the first time at the Hamburg half-mile oval with $1,021,380 in purse earnings. He won the title last season with 119 victories.
All winners will receive $100 to the Harness Tack Shop and a photo.
Buffalo Raceway’s 2026 live racing season has now concluded and will return in March of 2027.
For more information including race replays and more, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway