Blue Bell Bonnie has been one of the toughest mares competing at Batavia Downs this season. Coming off three wins in her last four starts and moving up in class, the mare went right to the front and never looked back in the $12,500 Open I Handicap Pace for fillies and mares on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 11).

Driver Jim Morrill Jr. sent Blue Bell Bonnie to the front and proceeded unchallenged to the half in a relatively mild :57.4. With the field still single file as they headed into the third turn, HP Sissy (John Cummings Jr.) finally pulled first-over past the five-eighths and rushed towards the leader, drawing alongside her in the backstretch.

The two matched strides to the three-quarters and into the final bend before Blue Bell Bonnie found a new gear and started to pull away. With a clear one-length lead, Morrill urged Blue Bell Bonnie down the lane and she responded to win by a length in 1:54 over a fast-closing Little Joke (Billy Davis Jr.).

It was the eighth win of the year for Blue Bell Bonnie ($4.70), and it pushed her earnings to $52,798 for owners Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi. James Clouser Jr. trains the seven-year-old daughter of Mister Big and The Girl Can Bet.

In the $11,000 Open II distaff pace, Mean Pauline (Shawn McDonough) got a perfect pocket trip behind Machin Marley (Jim Morrill Jr.) before popping the deuce at the top of the stretch and wrestling away the lead to win by a head in 1:57.

Now with four wins on the year and earnings of $30,756, Mean Pauline ($21.20) has already surpassed her efforts of last year for owner Harry Wortzman and trainer-driver Shawn McDonough.

Morrill had a driving triple on the card to lead all reinsmen.

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 13) at 6:00 p.m., there will be a $4,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool as part of the United States Trotting Association’s (USTA) Strategic Wagering Program.

(Batavia Downs)