Rocknroll Shelli got a perfect trip right to the stretch, where she took the passing lane to victory over a good track in the $12,500 Open II-III Handicap Pace on Tuesday, Jan. 13, the opening day of the 2026 Batavia Downs winter meet.

Rocknroll Shelli (Kyle Cummings) settled in second behind Way Too Sweet (Shawn Gray), who led the field to the quarter in :30 and half in 1:01.2. There, Arsenals Ladybug (Kyle Swift) moved first-over with Pro Beach (Brett Beckwith) right behind, and the pair pushed the action to three-quarters in 1:31.2. After rounding the last turn, Arsenals Ladybug took the lead on the outside from Way Too Sweet and looked poised for victory. But Rocknroll Shelli had a clear path along the pegs and bolted late to grab the win by a half-length in 2:02.3. Arsenals Ladybug was second, followed by Way Too Sweet.

Rocknroll Shelli ($13.80) is trained by Dale Lawton, who shares ownership with Chris Lawton. The eight-year-old daughter of A Rocknroll Dance-Shell I Attack is now 20-for-135 lifetime.

Three winners on the 12-race card came from the stable of Candace Brandstatter-Hall, who was the top conditioner to start the meet. She won with Samosa Hanover ($2.32), Mr Cool Seaeyre N ($5.44), who took his fourth straight victory, and The Downtown Bus ($12.16). The conditioner, coming off her second-best season in wins and earnings, is four-for-14 to start 2026.

Shawn Gray, who was visiting from Saratoga, was the leading driver on Tuesday with three wins.

Live racing will resume at Batavia on Thursday at 3 p.m.

(With files from Batavia Downs)