By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Ray Fisher Jr. had a big night at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 12) after winning both $7,500 pacing and trotting features.
Fisher first took the fillies and mares Open-II pace with Lady London who led every step of the way.
Lady London went for the front but got stung to the quarter in :26.4 by The Bay Front (Denny Bucceri) before settling in. However once she was on top, she proceeded to pace with authority. Lady London got to the three-quarters in 1:24.1 with an open two length lead and the field stacked up behind her. The race turned for home and Lady London finished what she started, winning in 1:54, which was a new seasonal mark.
Lady London ($10.40) is owned by VHF Racing and trained by Sabrina Shaw.
Then later in the Open I-II trot, Fisher was a passenger behind the runaway State Ofmyhead As who scored a major upset at 17-1.
State Ofmyhead As took the lead and was up by three lengths at the quarter in :28 and from there, he didn’t relent. After getting to the half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:26.1, State Ofmyhead As turned for home and opened up a 4-1/4 length margin as he cruised to the wire all alone in 1:57, giving himself a new lifetime mark.
State Ofmyhead As ($36.80) is owned by the Tanah Merah Farm and the Swift Racing Stable and is trained by Ryan Swift.
Other drivers had multiple win nights including Jim Morrill Jr. who had three and Jim McNeight Jr. who had two. Trainers Gerry Sarama and Jim McNeight also scored two wins apiece.
Trainer Maria Rice hit a personal milestone in race five when her trotter Montepulciano ($4.70) guided by Billy Davis Jr. scored a 1:59.4 victory. It marked the 700th career training victory for Rice in a career that goes back to 2004. Rice has started 4,136 horses during that span garnering 700 wins, 679 seconds and 558 thirds, giving her a lifetime .305 universal trainer rating while bankrolling in excess of $4.4 million in purses.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 15) at 6 p.m.
