By Tim Bojarski for Batavia Downs
(Photos courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery)
Batavia, NY — Batavia Downs leading dash driver Kevin Cummings pulled even farther ahead of his rivals on Wednesday (Oct. 12) after putting on a masterful clinic to win seven of the 13 races on the card.
His big score came in the $15,000 Distaff Open I Handicap pace where he sat tight early with Tres Chic Bluechip to benefit from action before striking late for the score.
Four horses left the gate with a mad dash into the first turn. So Admirable (Shawn McDonough), Saulsbrook Olympia (Dave McNeight III), The Stunning Nun N (John Macdonald) and Sea Shadows (Brett Beckwith) were strewn four wide across the track around the clubhouse turn, and then three wide up the backstretch until Saulsbrook Olympia finally got to the front at the :27 quarter, where Sea Shadows then overtook her in the turn. With everyone finally seated, Sea Shadows proceeded to the half in :56 and that’s where Cummings got to work.
Tres Chic Bluechip tipped in front of the stands and proceeded towards the leader. Under heavy urging up the backstretch, Tres Chic Bluechip drew alongside Sea Shadows at three-quarters and the pair continued to battle around the far turn and into the stretch. Sea Shadows tired in the lane and Tres Chic Bluechip paced on to win by one-quarter length over the fast closing The Stunning Nun N in 1:55.3.
It was the 10th win of the year for the 3-year-old Tres Chic Bluechip ($20.00) who is owned by John Sixt and was one of two winners trained by Judy Blaun on Wednesday.
Cummings completed his epic night with wins behind Everdeen (1:58.3, $5.60), Neon Lights (1:59, $4.40), Littlebagoftricks (1:56.1, $3.90), Lyons Anita (1:56.1, $5.10), Sapphire Love Chip (1:56, $4.60) and JBs Star Dancer (1:59.1, $5.10).
Cummings now has 92 wins at the current Batavia Downs meeting, 10 ahead of the second place Jim Morrill Jr. (82) and 51 ahead of third place Dave McNeight III (41).
There were two carryover pools on Wednesday and both wagers were won. The Pick-5 in race one had a carryover of $1.392 and a guaranteed pool of $5,000 and the winning combination of 2-8-5-3-2 returned $147.50. Later the Jackpot Super Hi-5 had a carryover of $184 and the 6-5-7-8-2 winning ticket paid $484.60.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 15) at 6 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website at bataviadownsgaming.com