The top local trotting talent was on full display at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 23) and the co-featured Opens both produced come from behind victories.
In the $15,000 Open I Handicap, C R Blazin Beauty (Dave McNeight III) led off the gate and halfway up the backstretch before Night Flyer K (Jim Morrill Jr.) grabbed the front approaching the :28.2 quarter. From there no one made a move until the five-eighths where Jumpinthejailhouse (Kevin Cummings) pulled and tried to advance on Night Flyer K, but was only able to get as far as second as they headed around the last turn. When the race proceeded into the stretch, Jumpinthejailhouse faded allowing the pocket-sitting C R Blazin Beauty the out, and she came with a flurry. C R Blazin Beauty trotted up a storm in deep stretch and blew by Night Flyer K while holding off the late closing Credit List (Kyle Cummings) to win by 1-½ lengths in 1:57.
The Marissa Russo-owned and Dave Russo-trained C R Blazin Beauty ($15.60) captured her 47th-lifetime win and advanced her career earnings to $398,022 as a result. Dave Russo ended the night with two winners to top all trainers on Friday.
Earlier in the $14,000 Open II Handicap trot, Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) overcame the assigned outside post to nab his sixth win of the year. Sanchez Rocks (Drew Monti) led the field for three-quarters of the mile while Lunar Credit (Jim McNeight Jr.) escorted him on the outside from the half. Lougazi was third-over during that time and drafted there until the last turn when he went three deep and out-trotted everyone to the line and won by 1-¼ lengths in 1:59.1.
Lougazi ($3.60) pushed his bank to $76,810 this year for owner Mary Warriner on the strength of that victory. Ryan Swift trains the trotter.
Kyle Cummings was the leading driver on Friday recording three wins during the proceedings.
When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 24) at 6 p.m. there will be two carryovers to note for that card. The first is a sizable $1,478 in the Pick-5 in the first race and the second comes in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 in race 11 and that is worth $190. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.
Photo by Wendy J. Lowery
