By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
(Photos courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery)
Batavia, NY — Driver Kyle Cummings was on point Saturday (Oct. 5) night at Batavia Downs after winning both the $13,000 Open Handicap trot with Double Class and $13,000 Open Handicap pace PL Quarantine in convincing fashion.
First in the trot, Cummings took Double Class off the gate and trailed from fifth as Power And Grace (Drew Monti) led the field to the half in a tepid :58.4. But that tempo would soon pick up when Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) came calling first-over with Double Class drafting one out and one back. These positions remained unchanged to three-quarters and around the last turn where Double Class tipped three-wide heading into the stretch and then trotted home alone while Cummings high-lined and broke the beam in 1:57.2.
It was the second win in the last three starts and eighth win overall this year for Double Class ($20.40) for owner/trainer Jim Clouser Jr.
Then in the pace Cummings took immediate control of the race with PL Quarantine, who led at every stage of the race. After setting quarters of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:26, PL Quarantine broke away by 2-½ lengths around the last turn and then bolted home on top by three in 1:53.3.
It was the seventh consecutive win for PL Quarantine ($3.60) who is owned by Jane Stanley and his trainer Joe Alba.
Cummings also won with Catch A Lefty A (1:57, $3.00) to complete his hat trick.
A notable win came in the $11,000 mid-level conditioned trot where the venerable trotter Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) employed one of his patented come-from-behind brushes to hit the line first in 1:59 and chalk-up the 65th win of his career. The now 10-year-old Lougazi ($35.20) has now earned $573,259 for his owner Mary Warriner and trainer Ryan Swift.
Mike Deters was the top conditioner on Saturday, sending two from his stable to the winner’s enclosure.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 9) with post time at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $1,940 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.
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.