Fresh off a late-closing victory in the top pace at Batavia Downs last week, Mr Euroman N found himself right back in the winner’s circle after capturing the $8,500 Open I Handicap Pace at the Downs on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 7).
Mr Euroman N got away fourth as Tullow N took the lead by the quarter and then paced smartly to the half in :57. At that point driver Billy Davis Jr. had Mr Euroman N out and moving first over into the third turn and drew alongside Tullow N by three-quarters. Davis and Fisher then commenced rocking and knocking around the far turn with Mr Euroman N getting an advantage heading down the lane that he would keep all the way to the line, where he won by one-and-a-half lengths in 1:54.3.
It was the third Open I win in the last four stars for Mr Euroman N and owners Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice trains the winner. He paid $4.80 to win.
The $7,500 Open II Pace went to Stratosphere, who dropped from Open I company this week and led throughout the entire mile while holding off the tripped-out Percys Z Tam at the light to win by a neck in 1:54.1. It was the sixth win of the year for Stratosphere who is owned by his driver and trained by Darrin Monti. Drew Monti drove the $5.80 winner.
Billy Davis Jr., Drew Monti and Jim Morrill Jr. all had three driving wins on Saturday while trainers Darrin Monti, Jerry Nugent Jr., Gerry Sarama and Lee Dahn all had two wins apiece.
When racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 11) there will be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager that day. The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages will be available courtesy of Trackmaster on both the USTA and Batavia Downs website early next week. Post time for Wednesday is set at 5 p.m. (EST).
(Batavia Downs)