Photo of Believe This Bob with driver Drew Monti.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Tioga Downs shipper Believe This Bob didn't miss a beat on the half-mile track and put on a show in winning the $10,000 Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Aug. 12).
Believe This Bob (Drew Monti) left from post one and had the lead as soon as the gate released the field, opening up a two-length lead he would maintain the whole race.
Working through fractions of :27.2, 55.3 and 1:23.2, Believe This Bob went unchallenged the whole way and for good reason; the trailing horses had trouble keeping up.
At the top of the lane, Lucky King (Ron Beback Jr.) who had gotten a perfect pocket trip, launched a mild bid at the leader. But Believe This Bob kept his eye on the prize and finished a wrapped-up winner in 1:52.3.
It was the fourth win of the year for Believe This Bob ($4.20) and 43rd of his career. The 9-year-old gelded son of Beach Romeo is owned by Mary Ann Larrimore and is trained by Joe Skowyra.
In the co-featured $9,000 Open II pace, Sir Ziggy's Z Tam (John Cummings Jr.) was hopelessly locked in fifth at the top of the far turn but found room along the pylons heading down the lane and brushed late to capture the win in 1:54.2. Sir Ziggy's Z Tam ($13.80) is owned by Tessa Roland and trained by JD Perrin.
Drew Monti and Kevin Cummings both had a driving hat trick on Saturday while John Cummings Jr. and Jim Morrill Jr. each had driving doubles.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs this afternoon (Aug. 12), with post time set for 1:15.
