By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
(Photos courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery)
Batavia, NY — Center Attraction was in perfect position to run down her competition in a thrilling stretch drive in the featured $13,500 Distaff Open at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 25) night.
Center Attraction (Jim McNeight Jr.) got away second from post one behind Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings) who set the pace in :28, :57.1 and 1:25.2. It was at that last station where Marathon Mary (Drew Monti) pulled from third and advanced towards the leader. The top three mares broke away from the field and when they entered the stretch, Center Attraction slipped into the passing lane while Marathon Mary continued to pressure Won Surreal Deal on the outside. The three sidewheelers paced three abreast all the way to the line where Center Attraction edged ahead by a half length and won in 1:54.3.
It was the fourth win of the year for Center Attraction ($7.50) who is owned by her trainer Robert Anderson, in partnership with Pamela Schieber.
Dave McNeight III and Drew Monti both had driving hat tricks while Chris Petrelli was the top trainer with two wins on the card.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 27) with post time at 6:00 p.m.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.