After a two-week break, Sir Ziggys Z Tam returned to the track in the $10,000 Open Pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday, July 28, winning in 1:54.4.
Sir Ziggys Z Tam got away fourth as Classic American shot for the lead. With no change in order before three-quarters, Hardts Or Bettor pulled from third and tried to advance. At this point, Sir Ziggys Z Tam was locked in last on the pylons.
As they headed out of the last turn, Hardts Or Bettor’s bid failed and he began to retreat while Barry Hanover, who sat second the whole mile, popped the pocket and paced right by Classic American to take the lead. But Sir Ziggys Z Tam roared down the center of the track to make up a three-length deficit and win by a length.
It was the sixth win in nine starts this year for Sir Ziggys Z Tam who now has banked $36,175 in 2018 for owner Tessa Roland and trainer JD Perrin. Drew Monti piloted the $8.10 winner.
In the co-featured $9,000 Open II, Bugatti tripped-out behind Brunello N and capitalized on the fractions when driver Billy Davis Jr. left the rail and let his horse fly home to win by two lengths in 1:54.
Bugatti, paying $7.10, is owned by Keith Pinkowski and trained by Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr.
Billy Davis Jr. put on a show for the weekend faithful, winning five of the eleven races on the card. Besides the afore mentioned Bugatti, Davis also scored with OK Gemma (1:57, $18.00), Bold And Brassy (1:55, $3.30), Osprey Vision (1:58.2, $3.80) and Energizer Ivory (1:56.4, $4.50).
The five wins by Davis bolted him from sixth to first in the driver standings, tying with Kevin Cummings for the lead with six wins on the meet. Cummings and Monti both scored doubles on Saturday.
With no winner in the Pick-5 wager once again on Saturday, there will be a guaranteed pool of $2,000 for the early Pick-5 on Sunday, July 29 when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs. The early Pick-5 wager starts in race one and runs through race five.
Post time for the first race on Sunday is 1:15 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)