Lucky McTrucky parked out all comers before driving home a winner in the $11,000 Open Handicap pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Nov. 17.
Im So Handsome, Lucky McTrucky and Iyq Yqr left the gate together and paced three deep around the clubhouse turn and into the backstretch until Im So Handsome relented, letting Lucky McTrucky and IyqYqr continue to battle at the quarter in :26.4.
Lucky McTrucky refused to let Iyq Yqr take the front and Iyq Yqr refused to take a seat behind Lucky McTrucky, so the pair paced in unison to the half in :55.1. The duel continued around the third turn before Iyq Yqr gave up. Then Go Collect N pulled from fourth and drew alongside Lucky McTrucky past the five-eighths and a new battle ensued.
Drew Monti, driving Lucky McTrucky, and Billy Davis Jr., driving Go Collect N, rocked and knocked, high-lined and bounced from the three-quarters all the way to the wire with Lucky McTrucky sealing the deal by a head in 1:54.3 while the sold-out clubhouse roared in appreciation.
It was the 12th win of the year and 54th of his career for Lucky McTrucky ($4.90) who now boasts $85,815 in earnings this year. The nine-year-old gelded son of McArdle is owned by Tessa Roland and is trained by JD Perrin.
The $9,900 Open II pace was won by Upfront Countryboy, who sat third to the quarter before pulling to take the lead by the half and then pulled away by four lengths in the lane to win in 1:54.3. It was the 13th win of the year for Upfront Countryboy ($6.30) who was driven by Billy Davis Jr. for trainer James Clouser Jr. and owner William Emmons.
Drew Monti was the top teamster on Saturday scoring a Grand Slam on the card. Besides the big win with Lucky McTrucky, Monti also had pictures taken with Hardts Or Bettor (1:55.2, $10.80), Foreign Officer (1:56.2, $4.80) and Linkjack Hanover (1:56.4, $7.40). All four of Monti’s wins were trainees of JD Perrin that are owned by Tessa Roland.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 5 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)