Crazy About Pat, a three-year-old colt by Crazed out of the Malabar Man mare Dibrizzi, won his $35,846 division of the New York Sire Stakes in 1:56.3 Sunday afternoon at Buffalo Raceway.
That winning time now goes in the record book along with Delano (2012), for three-year-old trotters, and Scorpion Moon (2007) for aged trotters.
Dismissed by bettors at 6-1, Crazy About Pat ($15.40) was masterfully driven by Cat Manzi, who settled him in sixth from post seven. Modest Prince (Jeff Gregory) set quick fractions of :28.2, :56.3 and 1:26 before fading to finish fourth.
Still 13 lengths behind at the half-mile marker, Manzi started his assault on the leaders and with a remarkable :27.3 closing quarter Crazy About Pat beat Wannacmyguns (John Stark Jr.) by 4-1/4 lengths. The 4-5 favourite, Tirade Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) was third.
“I took it easy early, because I thought there was a lot of early speed in the race”, said Manzi. “When I asked him for speed, he really responded. This is a really nice horse”.
Trained by Noel Daley for the Patricia Stables of Massapequa, NY, it was only the third lifetime win in 17 attempts for Crazy About Pat, and the $17,923 share of the winning purse put his lifetime earnings at $76,062.
The other three Sire Stakes winners were:
• New Yorks Best (Conway Hall-Ada Winds) 2:00.1 - driver Jeff Gregory
• Jacks To Open (Conway Hall-Jodis Jayme) 1:58 - Jim Morrill Jr.
• Theraputic (Crazed-Psychotherapist) 1:59.1 – Jim Morrill Jr.
(Buffalo Raceway)