(Cobble Beach with driver Jack Flanigen, photo courtesy of Paul White.)
By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations
Not one to be camera shy, Cobble Beach took the overland-route to capture another $9,000 Open pace feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 7).
Sent off as the 3-2 favorite, Cobble Beach was taken to the back of the pack by driver Jack Flanigen at the start of the race as a contentious battle for the lead was staged between Button Fly (Shawn McDonough) and FB Seelster (Dave McNeight III). The latter took command before the group completed the first circuit in :57.2.
Cruising past five-eighths, If It Rains (Kevin Cummings) pulled first-over and brought Cobble Beach with him in tow. After the herd hit three-quarters in 1:26.4, If It Rains went by FB Seelster around the far turn and Cobble Beach passed If It Rains in the lane to take the lead and the race in 1:55.3.
It was the tenth win of the season for Cobble Beach ($5.10) and his best single-year earnings total continued to rise to $78,680 for owner Leonard Segall. James Clouser Jr. trains the 5-year-old Artiscape gelding.
The red-hot Jack Flanigen has been on a tear of late and Saturday was no exception. Flanigen bagged a quintuplet of victories and lit up the tote board in the process with Stirling Cadillac ($36.80), Cobble Beach ($5.10), Best Ears ($8.80), Peter Pumpkineater ($2.60) and Reachinforthestars ($11.40).
Kevin Cummings, Jim McNeight and Ron Beback Jr. also had driving doubles. Trainers JD Perrin and Maria Rice both sent two starters to the winner’s circle.
The $2,004 Pick-5 carry-over pool provided one lucky bettor a $4,700 payout for a .50-cent bet Saturday after he cashed in his 6-1-6-1-1 winning ticket.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night with the first post set for 6:15.
