Twin Opens valued at $17,778 each were featured at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Sept. 27, and fast times were turned in by their respective winners.

The Open Handicap Trot went first, and off the gate, Dealin With Dewey (Brett MacDonald) outbattled Crazy Ritz (Jim McNeight Jr.) to the quarter in a swift :27 as Makes Me Charlie (Mike Baumeister) sat third watching the action. After backing down the half to :57.3, Dealin With Dewey got a call from El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) on the backside and was headed by the interloper at three-quarters in 1:26.3 but held sway around the last turn and was still only a quarter-length behind when they entered the stretch. Makes Me Charlie then found racing room and came flying to the line to score the 12-1 upset by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:56.2. Crazy Ritz edged out Gone Crazee (Joe Chindano Jr.) for place.

The win was the fourth of the year in 15 starts for Makes Me Charlie ($26.80), who is owned by his trainer, Margaret Butler, in partnership with Amy Butler. The five-year-old Mets Hall-Makes Me Crazy gelding is 20-for-43 lifetime.

In the Open Handicap Pace, Lanjo Lee (Kyle Cummings) and Natameri (Kevin Cummings) traded leads to the quarter with Natameri taking control at that station in :27. With things settled on the front, action started from behind when Mirragon A (Jim Morrill Jr.) pulled first-over at three-eighths and towed Lyons Surfing (Kyle Swift) along with him past the half in :56.1.

Mirragon A continued to make up ground on Natameri and finally cleared to the lead at three-quarters in 1:24.2, while Lyons Surfing gapped his cover but then kicked into gear three-deep just before turn four. As they straightened out of that bend, Mirragon A took the lead into the stretch, but it was Lyons Surfing who bolted and pulled away from the field to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:53. Lanjo Lee got up for second over Mirragon A.

Lyons Surfing ($7.04) has won 11 times in 27 attempts this year for owner PT Stable and trainer Gareth Dowse. The five-year-old son of Stay Hungry-Surfside Sexy has tallied 21 wins in 79 lifetime starts.

Jim Morrill Jr. scored five winners for the third straight card at Batavia, bringing his win total for the past week at The Downs to 25. Morrill won with Rockin Withelvis A (1:55, $2.20), Dontbothermenone N (1:54.2, $4.86), Red Blooded (1:53.4, $2.44), Final Game (1:54.4, $3.96) and Entrench (1:54, $3.94). Morrill also had three seconds and four thirds out of his 13 drives, giving him a .615 UDR for the night. With the red-hot week, the reinsman caught Drew Monti in the driver standings and is now tied with him for the lead on 68 wins.

Mike Deters topped all trainers with two wins on the 13-race card.

Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Oct. 1 with post time at 6 p.m. There will be a carryover of $3,425 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race. 

(Batavia Downs; photo of Lyons Surfing winning on Sept. 27)