Press release:
Perfect weather and a lightning-fast track greeted the top pacers on the grounds at Batavia Downs on Saturday evening (Aug. 14) and the winners turned out some eye-popping times.
The $11,200 Open I feature went to Lord Willoughby A (Ray Fisher Jr.) who took the lead at the quarter and never looked back. Fisher went unchallenged to a well-rated: 56.1 half before two-time Batavia Open winner Art Scene (Jim Morrill Jr.) came calling in the breeze as the group headed to three quarters.
Art Scene's challenge ended before the start of the final turn and Lord Willoughby A opened up a two-length lead as he headed into the stretch. With one last challenge from the pocket-sitting Thor De Vie (Kevin Cummings) to deal with, Lord Willoughby A swelled up under Fisher urging, fought off that foe, and won by one length in 1:53.2.
It was the fifth win of the year and the 30th of his career for Lord Willoughby A ($17.40) and his owner/trainer Larry Stalbaum.
In the $10,000 Open II secondary pacing feature, Stratosphere (Drew Monti) followed American Zest A (Ray Fisher Jr.) through quarters of :27, :55.3 and 1.23.3 before pulling the pocket at the head of the stretch to overtake the leader under a confident hand-drive by Monti to win by ¾'s of a length in a lifetime best 1:52.1.
The time of 1:52.1 was the second-fastest mile of the current meet behind Racine Bell's 1:51.3 effort on Wednesday (Aug. 4).
It was the second win in a row and the 25th-lifetime victory for Stratosphere ($8.20) who is driven by his owner Drew Monti. Darrin Monti trains the winner.
The Jackpot Super Hi-5 wager in race 10 had one winner with the unique winning ticket combination of 1-3-7-5-2 and they collected $3,020.40 for the 20-cent wager.
When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 15) there will be two carryover pools available. The Pick-5 in races one through five will have a $1,153 carryover and the Jackpot Pick-6 in race four will have a $1,611 carryover. Post time for the first race is 1:15 p.m.
