After dominating the top mares class at Batavia Downs with Delta Three N, trainer Brett Derue swapped out his stock and tagged in Waitforever N, who picked up right where her stablemate left off by winning the $17,534 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at The Downs on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Jim Morrill Jr. sent Waitforever N right to the front and had her on top throughout the mile. With Shake Me Loose (Drew Monti) pocketed-up for the journey, Waitforever N cut pedestrian fractions of :29, :58.3 and 1:27 with no credible threats coming from the gallery. She picked up the pace on the far turn, and after turning back a brief burst from Shake Me Loose, Waitforever N bolted to the line to win handily in 1:54.4 with a nifty :27.4 kicker. Shake Me Loose finished second, followed by Tres Chic Bluechip (Kevin Cummings).

The win was the seventh this year in 28 outings for the heavily backed Waitforever N ($2.26), who is owned by Derue in partnership with Stephen Picarazzi and Darreyl Bullard. The eight-year-old daughter of American Ideal-Waitfornoone has 33 career wins and $463,457 in earnings in 127 starts. She is three-for-four at Batavia this season.

Waitforever N was the highlight of the huge night Morrill had at Batavia, as he scored five wins including a natural grand slam in Races 4-7. Morrill also won with Major Escape (1:56.4, $2.24), Alan (1:59, $5.78), Lorraine Smoke (1:55.4, $2.32), and Black Is Back (1:57, $7.08). Morrill also had two seconds and three thirds from his 11 starts, giving him a stellar .646 UDR for the night.

Shawn McDonough led all trainers with a conditioning hat trick on the 13-race card. He sent out winners Major Escape (1:56.4, $2.24), Lizzy Lite Hands (1:56.4, $3.18), and Lorraine Smoke. McDonough is second in the local trainers' standings and is now eight wins behind leader Samuel Smith. 

In the $13,288 mid-level conditioned race for female pacers, Arco N (Dave McNeight III) inherited the lead from her pylon start and led the single-file field in post position order through the midway point. That’s when Summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) was first to pull and made her way alongside Arco N at three-quarters. The mares matched strides around the turn, but when they straightened for home, Summer Slash paced clear by 1-1/4 lengths and won in 1:56.2. Wildcat Lisa (Morrill) was third. Summer Slash ($4.32) is owned by Ilovemyharnesshorsesummer and trained by Ryan Swift.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday with post time at 6 p.m. There will be a carryover of $2,365 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race. 

(With files from Batavia Downs)