After sitting a perfect trip behind the pacesetter, Mississippi Rabbit shook loose late and upset a fine field of top pacers in the $13,500 Open I Handicap at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 30).

American Zest A left like a shot and led the field through soft fractions of :28 and :56.4. While Mississippi Rabbit sat second in chase, the co-favoured Stratosphere had pulled from fifth and was flying up the outside towards three-quarters.

As they entered the final turn, Stratosphere drew even with American Zest A and at the top of the stretch took the lead and looked clear. But the pylon path opened and Mississippi Rabbit displayed good burst and was quickest to the wire, winning by a neck in 1:53.4.

Rocco Stebbins owns the Joe Skowyra-trained Mississippi Rabbit who now has seven wins and $84,340 in earnings this year. Kevin Cummings drove the $12.20 winner.

Stalbaum may have lost the Open I, but he did win three consecutive races as both driver and trainer including the $12,100 Open II Pace and $11,250 Open III Pace.

The Open II went to Lord Willoughby A who got to the front and kept the lead the entire mile before turning for home and winning by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:54.3. It was the eighth win of the year for Lord Willoughby A who is owned by Shark Racing. He paid $4 to win.

And in the Open III, Catch A Lefty A found his best leg of the year after going gate to wire and winning by a head in 1:54.3. Catch A Lefty A is owned by Stalbaum, who privately purchased the nine-year-old gelding after his last start. He paid $4.90 to win.

Stalbaum completed his hat trick with Andreios Kardia (1:54, $3.00).

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 3) there will be two carryovers on the betting menu. First, in the Jackpot Pick 6 in Race 4, there is a carryover of $999. Then later, in Race 9, the Jackpot Super Hi-5 has a carryover of $13,769.

Free full past performance program pages for all live Batavia Downs races can be downloaded at bataviadownsgaming.com under the live racing tab where free full card past performance programs are always available for every live racing night at Batavia Downs.

And for those who can’t attend the races in person, a live stream of the entire night’s action will be available on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel.

Post time for the first race is 5 p.m. (EDT).

(Batavia Downs)