by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- 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.

Photo by Bill Burke
No surprises from Crazy Ritz in victory.

With a month break in between starts, Crazy Ritz was no match against his fellow trotters as the 3-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, 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 ($3.60) posted a :59.3 first quarter and was in high gear after that. Reaching the three quarter marker in 1:29.0, Crazy Ritz 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), it was his second win in three tries on the season. The victory pushed his seasonal earnings to $15,300 and $19,632 lifetime.

Photo by Bill Burke
Headline Maker sets lifetime mark in win.

Headline Maker ($34.00) made his own personal 'headline' in the $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 Western Fair, Headline Maker (Keith Kash Jr.) made the trip across the border worthwhile. Sitting fourth with a quarter to go, Headline Maker gobbled up ground in deep stretch to pass Secret Bro (Kevin Cummings) and the pace-setting Norwegian Dad (Joseph Chindano Jr.).

Owned by L'Emmur Stable LLC and trained by Kash Jr., the triumph by the 4-year-old Headline Maker (Father Patrick-Monarach Butterfly) brought his lifetime bankroll to $35,896.

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.

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