The last time Crazy Ritz was seen, he posted an absolutely stunning $248.50 victory at Tioga Downs in a $20,000 New York Sire Stakes Excelsior Series event on June 6. But Crazy Ritz resurfaced at Buffalo Raceway on Friday afternoon (July 7) and showed that his last victory wasn't an aberration.
With a month break in between starts, Crazy Ritz was no match against his fellow trotters as the three-year-old colt beat the field of eight into submission with an 8-3/4 length drubbing of Blazin Chally in 1:58.2 over the fast track. Arnold finished in third place.
Crazy Ritz used a late rally in his massive upset win at Tioga Downs but he wasn't overlooked at all this time around despite using a different tactic.
Scoring from the two post in a $5,800 conditioned trot, Crazy Ritz (James McNeight Jr.) wanted to set the early fractions but it didn't come easy though as Arnold (David McNeight III) and Le Millenaire (Keith Kash Jr.) sandwiched him.
Finally reaching the top, Crazy Ritz posted a :59.3 first quarter and was in high gear after that. Reaching the three-quarter marker in 1:29, favourite Crazy Ritz ($3.60) had opened up a giant 10-length lead with a panel to go and cruised home a winner by a dialed down 8-3/4 lengths.
Owned by James Palladino and trained by Jim McNeight, Crazy Ritz (Crazy Wow-Babblesritz) earned his second win in three tries on the season. The victory pushed his seasonal earnings to $15,300 and lifetime bankroll to $19,632.
Headline Maker ($34) made his own personal 'headline' in a $8,200 trot as he notched a half-length win over Secret Bro in a lifetime best of 1:57.2. After 14 starts at Flamboro Downs, Grand River Raceway and The Raceway at Western Fair District, Headline Maker (Keith Kash Jr.) made the trip across the border worthwhile for his new connections. Sitting fourth with a quarter to go, Headline Maker gobbled up ground in deep stretch to pass Secret Bro (Kevin Cummings) and the pacesetting Norwegian Dad (Joseph Chindano Jr.). The triumph by the four-year-old Headline Maker (Father Patrick-Monarach Butterfly) brought his lifetime bankroll to $44,911. He is now owned by L'Emmur Stable LLC and trained by Kash Jr.
David McNeight III led the way for the drivers with five victories while James McNeight Jr. tripled. Jim McNeight had three training wins.
Racing will continue on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with a 13-race card set.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)