A scorching first half-mile of :57.3 could have been troublesome for front-running Real Joy in the $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Batavia Downs Wednesday night (Nov. 7), but that wasn't the case. It proved to be the winning formula.
Real Joy ($24.80) and driver Dave McNeight III set sail from the start, posting all the fractions in going gate-to-wire, scoring a half-length victory over Artistry In Rhythm (Mickey Holliday) and Ride A Cowboy (John Cummings Jr.). Real Joy set the tempo by posting times of :27.4, :57.3 and 1:26.2 en route to the 1:55.1 score over the fast track on a crisp 38-degree night.
Last week in the Fillies and Mares Open, Real Joy tried to cut the entire mile, but couldn't hold on after being pressured, losing by two and three-quarter lengths to Evil Eva. But this week was different as Real Joy paced smartly down the stretch and had plenty left in the tank to hold on. Former Downs track record holder for aged mares Artistry In Rhythm, tried to make a move in the passing lane, but couldn't get any closer than the final margin.
Owned by Richard Noel of Livonia, Michigan and trained by Ron Van Wagoner, Real Joy has now won four races in 34 starts in 2012, improving her bankroll to $39,083. Real Joy is a four-year-old Real Artist mare.
The third and final qualifying leg of the Henry Tojj Claiming Series for pacers was contested Wednesday and the five $7,000 division winners were Upfront Red River (1:58.0), Becausewecam (1:56.4), Play Of The Day (1:57.1), The Classic Z Tam (1:57.3) and Marthe My Dear (1:56.4).
The $27,000 final of the series will be held on Saturday, November 17 with the $10,000 consolation to be held that night as well.
Making the finals in alphabitical order are: Answer The Bell, Johnny Grippa, Looks R Deceiving, Marthe My Dear, Play of the Day, The Classic Z Tam, Up Front Red River and Vasvixen N.
The racing season continues on Friday night with a 12-race program slated to begin at 6:25 p.m. The $8,000 Open II Trot will be the feature with Under The Stars the morning line choice at 2-1 with Jim McNeight in the sulky. Under The Stars starts from the rail and gets class relief dropping out of the Open.
(With files from Batavia Downs)