A start off the pylons was the right answer for Just Plain Loco as he never looked back in cruising to an easy 2-1/4-length victory over Villiam in Buffalo Raceway's $15,500 Open Pace on Saturday night (June 10). Just Plain Loco led every step of the mile in going a seasonal best of 1:56.
Drawing the pylons in the six-horse event, Just Plain Loco wasted no time in getting the top for driver David McNeight III. With fractions of :28.2, :58 and 1:27 over the fast track, Just Plain Loco wasn't about to let anyone challenge him down the lane. He tossed up a :27.2 final panel, which dashed the hopes of the other five rivals. Villiam, who came into the event on a three-race win streak, took the place position while Sporty Deal was third.
Co-owned by Paul Lang and Mark Toth, the seven-year-old Just Plain Loco (Well Said-Symphony In Motion) is trained by Jennifer Giuliani. The victory was his fifth in 11 tries on the campaign and moved his seasonal bankroll to $44,473 and lifetime earnings to $450,918. He paid $3.40 to win.
JMs Delight has made five different stops along the East Coast since the beginning of May but maybe he's now found a "stable" environment at Buffalo Raceway after winning the $13,500 pace. He held off a furious late rally from American Trademark in 1:56.
In his past six starts, JMs Delight has made appearances at Yonkers, Tioga, Plainridge and Buffalo Raceway. Last week, he finished a solid fourth in Buffalo's Open Pace so a slight drop in class was appropriate this time around.
At the start, American Trademark took early lead but once the field straightened up down the backstretch, JMs Delight wanted nothing to do with the pocket trip and zoomed to the top, going :29.3 to the first pole. From there, JMs Delight posted splits of :59 and 1:28.1 and was prepared for the battle down the stretch. American Trademark made a strong bid down the passing lane but JMs Delight, thanks to a :27.4 last quarter, was able to hold on for a diminishing neck victory. One Off Delight A was third.
Owned by Gregory Merton and conditioned by Shawn McDonough, seven-year-old JMs Delight (Bettors Delight-Dreaming Alina) earned his third win in 13 starts this year. The win moved his seasonal earnings to $33,456 and lifetime bankroll to $255,523. Jim Morrill Jr. drove the $3 winner.
Racing will resume on Wednesday, June 14 at 2:30 p.m. (EDT) with a 10-race card scheduled.
(Buffalo Raceway)