By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
(Photos courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery)
Batavia, NY — There was a pair of $13,500 Open Handicap races highlighting the Saturday (Sept. 28) night card at Batavia Downs and the winners of each put in stout efforts in victory on a rain-soaked night in Genesee County.
The Open pace was up first and won by Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.), who was challenged at every step of the mile.
Villiam took the lead off the gate and crossed-over to the pylons in the first turn. But before he could get to the quarter, Melanion N (Drew Monti) had worked his way up from seventh and was pacing alongside the leader. Melanion N took the lead at three-eighths, but Villiam didn’t allow him enough room to clear so the parked pacer was forced to remain in the breeze. Villiam and Melanion N matched strides to the half in :55.4 and continued to battle onto the second circuit.
As they passed five-eighths, Mirragon N (Shawn McDonough) had moved into contention from the back of the pack and tipped three-wide around Melanion N at three-quarters. As Melanion N started to fade, Mirragon N took the lead from Villiam, but once again Villiam refused to let the horse clear. The pair paced step for step around the last turn until Villiam pulled ahead by a length at the top of the stretch and maintained that advantage to the wire where he won in 1:53.1, which was a new easonal mark.
Villiam ($5.40) got his fifth win of the year for his owner Anthony Evgenikos and trainer Maggie Chindano.
Chindano finished the night with a total of three driving wins.
Three races later, the Open trot was won by the only mare in the field of eight, Power And Grace (Drew Monti), who led at every step of the way to turn away all her male rivals.
Power And Grace left from post seven, grabbed the front and proceeded to dictate the rest of the race. After going comfortable quarters of :29.1, :58.4 and 1:28 without any serious challenge from behind, Power And Grace entered the home stretch and simply pulled away from the field by 2-½ lengths in 1:57.4.
It was the 11th win of the year — and 67th lifetime — for Power And Grace ($4.20) who is owned by Hartel Maintenance, Lorner McClure, Brett MacDonald and Reg Higgs. Ronald MacDonald was the winning trainer.
Kevin Cummings was top dog in the bike on Saturday, scoring a grand slam at the lines. Cummings won with Dry Ridge Ace (1:57, $3.10), Dogfight (1:56.1, $17.00), Bet Eightthirtyone (1:57.1, $7.80) and Parmesan N (1:57.1, $3.00).
Ryan Hall was the top conditioner, sending two winners postward.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 2) 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.