Photo of Lucky McTrucky in the lead with driver Drew Monti.
By TIm Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
After some early maneuvering, Lucky McTrucky got a perfect trip en route to winning the $10,500 Open Handicap pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 3).
Cool Like Fire (Billy Davis Jr.) took the early lead but soon yielded it to Lucky McTrucky (Drew Monti) past the eighth pole. Then just before the quarter, Davis pulled Cool Like Fire and retook the lead once again. From there positions remained unchanged for the next half mile.
After passing the three-quarters in 1:27, Cool Like Fire was in a very good spot and looked fresh legged on the point. But Monti, who had gotten the perfect trip, pulled Lucky McTrucky coming out of the final turn and pushed him hard towards the stretch drive. As they headed down the lane the horses were stride for stride in a good match race with Lucky McTrucky getting the advantage before the wire and won by a neck in 1:56.1.
It was the 11th win of the year and 53rd victory of his career for Lucky McTrucky ($6) who has won $79,765 in 2018 for owner Tessa Roland. JD Perrin trains the winner.
In the $9,900 Open II co-feature, Dark Horse (Ray FIsher Jr.) got away at the back of the pack and watched as Bahama Bay (Denny Bucceri) and Hardts Or Bettor (Drew Monti) battled hard on the front end past the half. Fisher tipped Dark Horse four-wide up the backstretch, took the lead in the final turn and pulled away to win by two in 1:56.
It was the fifth win of the year for Dark Horse ($4.70) who is owned by VHF Racing and trained by Sabrina Cleavenger.
Ray Fisher Jr. led all drivers on Saturday scoring three wins on the night.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 7) with post time for the first race at 5 p.m.
