The southern hemisphere was well represented at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, July 30 as a pair of expatriate mares took the top two paces on the card with relative ease.

After navigating a lot of traffic early in the $18,493 Open Handicap distaff pacing feature, Waitforever N took control of the race and lion's share of the purse.

There were two early lead changes as the race progressed to the quarter before Waitforever N and driver Jim Morrill Jr. finally crossed over to the front in :28.1. With the field motoring in single file, Waitforever N marched to the half in :57.3 and then moved around the third turn unabated before favourite Gias Surreal (Dave McNeight III) came first-over into contention as they motored up the backstretch.

Gias Surreal continued to apply the pressure on the outside passing three-quarters in 1:27.1, but Waitforever N seemed unfazed as she held her full length advantage around the last turn with her sights set on the stretch. As they turned for home, Gias Surreal’s bid failed and Waitforever N only had to hold off the pocket-sitting Alabama Hannah (Joe Chindano Jr.) to claim victory by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.3.

Owned by Stephen Picarazzi, Darreyl Bullard and her trainer Brett Derue, Waitforever N has won four of her last five starts and now boasts 30 career victories. The eight-year-old American Ideal-Waitfornone mare paid $6.10 to win as the 2-1 second choice.

In a $16,027 conditioned pace for fillies and mares, Forgot Thewallet A and Joe Chindano Jr. took the lead from pylon position and were never headed from there. After hitting the quarter in :28.1, Forgot Thewallet A put the short field to sleep with a very pedestrian :31.4 walk to the half before jetting home in back-to-back :28 flat quarters to win by two lengths in 1:56 flat. Forgot Thewallet A, an eight-year-old daughter of Heston Blue Chip out of Tara Lassie, is trained by Maria Rice and owned by Dr. Michael Miller and Team Rice Racing. She returned $13.40 to win.

Drivers Jim Morrill Jr. and Kyle Cummings both had grand slams on the card, with Cummings posting a natural hat trick in races three through five. The top trainers were David Weston and Brett Derue, who each won two.

Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday, July 31, with post time at 6 p.m. The card will feature the New York Sire Stakes three-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

(With files from Batavia Downs)