A beaten favourite last week due to an untimely break, The Stunning Nun N bounced back in strong fashion -- once again as the public’s choice -- to win the $13,000 Open I Handicap Distaff Pace at Batavia Downs on Thursday afternoon (Jan. 19) despite considerably inclement weather and over a sloppy track.

Last week's feature winner Rocknroll Shelli battled with The Stunning Nun N (Jim Morrill Jr.) for the front and wrangled the lead from her before the :28.1 first quarter. Once Rocknroll Shelli crossed over, The Stunning Nun N was in for a great trip as the field remained in single file past the half and to the five-eighths. That’s where Miss Irish Rose A pulled from sixth and began to mount an assault.

Miss Irish Rose A quickly drove up the outside and came within a length of Rocknroll Shelli at three-quarters. The two mares paced in close proximity around the last turn and to the top of the stretch. That is where the tripped-out The Stunning Nun N found the passing lane and got underway with a rush after Morrill popped the plugs. Still 1-1/2 lengths behind the leader, The Stunning Nun N started pacing up a storm under only a line drive and flew past Rocknroll Shelli in deep stretch to win by a half-length in 1:58.2 with a heady :28.3 final panel.

The Stunning Nun N is owned by Mike Deters, Joel Warner, John Manning and Barbara Jensen, and is trained by Kevin Reynolds Jr. She paid $2.80 to win.

Kevin Cummings, who was Batavia Downs 2022 Driver of the Meet, picked up right where he left off after posting another five-win outing on Thursday. He visited the winner’s enclosure with Swanful Grace (2:03 winning mile, $82.50 to win), Brave World (1:56.3, $2.80) Brave Magic (2:00, $14.80), Anytime N (1:56.4, $14) and Dance Life Well (1:58.4, $4.40).   

Cummings currently sits third for wins behind Jim Morrill Jr. and Larry Stalbaum, who had three and two wins respectively during Thursday's card.

There will be two carryovers when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 23) at 3 p.m. (EST). First there is a $1,087 carryover in the Pick-5, which starts in race one, and then there is a growing carryover of $963 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5, which will be available in the 13th race.

(Batavia Downs)