by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Tony Too Tall ($6.20) didn't come up short in Buffalo Raceway's $15,500 Open Pace on Saturday evening (May 20). He rallied to post a 1-1/4 length decision over Alta Engen A in 1:55.0 over the good track.

Photo by Bill Burke
Tony Too Tall doesn't come up short in Open.

In the early stages, Tony Too Tall (Joseph Chindano Jr.) took the lead but Avion Seelster (Ray Fisher Jr.) wanted no part of a pocket trip and regained the edge just before the opening panel. With fractions of :28.0, :57.4 and 1:26.0, Avion Seelster had to deal with the first over Alta Engen A (Kevin Cummings) turning for home.

After going on even terms for over a quarter of a mile, something had to give in the stretch. With all eyes focused on the Alta Engen A and Avion Seelster battle, the pocket sitting Tony Too Tall came into view and found plenty of room in the passing lane to roll on by for the length victory.

Owned by The Summer Wind Stable of New York, Inc., the 7-year-old Tony Too Tall (Big Bad John-Lismaraslady) is trained by James Clouser Jr. The win upped his bankroll to $31,913 on the campaign and $409,314 in his lifetime.

In the $13,500 pace, Casimir Richie P (Chindano Jr.) left alertly from the inside post and never was in danger after that in registering a solid length victory over the favored Sportskeeper (Kevin Cummings) in a seasonal best of 1:54.2.

Photo by Bill Burke
Casimir Richie P goes gate to wire.

After being scratched sick back on May 6, Casimir Richie P ($5.80) showed he was feeling much better now. Protecting pylon position off the starting gate, Casimir Richie P rolled to solid splits of :28.1, :57.2 and 1:26.0. Enjoying a two length advantage at the top of the stretch, Casimir Richie P was just too strong to be caught as Sportskeeper could only pull within a length at the wire. Dunkin Beach (James McNeight Jr.) finished in third place, 7-1/4 lengths behind.

Owned by Michael Goldberg and trained by Teesha Symes, it was the fifth win in 13 starts this year for the 8-year-old Casimir Richie P (Astronomical-Casimir Huge). The win increased his 2023 earnings to $26,840 and $359,257 lifetime.

Chindano Jr. completed the evening with four victories while Kevin Cummings, David McNeight III and James McNeight Jr. each had doubles. Samuel Smith, David Russo and Chindano Jr. had a pair of trainings wins.

Racing will resume on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with an 11-race program to be presented.

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com