By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
(Photo of Who’s Got The Move courtesy of Aurora Wzientek)
Batavia, NY — A substantial class hike made punters overlook Who’s Got The Move’s convincing 4-½ length victory from just last week and their wagering discard provided big dividends for those who came back for more as Who’s Got The Move repeated and won the $9,500 co-features pace at Batavia Downs on Thursday afternoon (2-16) at 39-1.
Who’s Got The Move (Dave McNeight III) got away a gapped fourth as Late Night Date A (Ray Fisher Jr.) scooted along to fast early fractions of :28.3 and :57.4. As the single-file field rounded into turn three, McNeight tipped Who’s Got The Move first-over and drew even with Late Night Date A by three-quarters. After matching strides around the last bend, Who’s Got The Move took the lead at the top of the stretch and then held off a late closing Tobin’s Diva (Keith Kash Jr.) to win by one-half length in 1:56.3.
After going winless in 2022, Who’s Got The Move ($80.50) now has two tallies this year for owners Richard and Lynn Fisher — Lynn also does the training. Who’s Got The Move also went over $200,000 in lifetime earnings as a result of the victory, now boasting $201,870 in the bank.
The other $9,500 pace was won by Brave World (Kevin Cummings) who didn’t surprise anyone after winning at prohibitive odds.
Cummings took no prisoners and grabbed a lead he would never relinquish. After going :29.1, :58.1 and 1:26.3, Brave World turned for home on top by 1-¾ lengths and held on by a mere head over Long Legged John (Keith Kash), who made a valiant stretch run before coming up just short.
It was also the second win in a row — and third in his last four — for Brave World ($3.90) and owner Mike Torcello. Sammy Smith trained the winner.
Cummings ended the day with four winners overall.
The finals of the Western New York Pop-Up series will be held when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 20). The four finals will offer purses ranging from $12,000 to $18,000 while the four consolation races will go for between $7,000 and $10,000 each. Spots in both were secured by the top money earners in each Trackmaster category.
Also on Monday there will be a $2,285 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta which will be available in race 11.
Free full card past performance forms for the entire card of live racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com