Grannys Watching earned her seventh win in 27 starts on the year in the featured $19,285 Fillies and Mares AA-Open Pace, and trainer Jesse Nelson harnessed his first career winner on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Batavia Downs.

In the distaff Open, Grannys Watching (Shawn McDonough) got away second behind Face The Shadows (Kevin Cummings), who stepped off firm fractions of :27.4, :58.1 and 1:26.3, with Windsun Charlotte (Dave McNeight III) and Rightfully Mine (Drew Monti) towering two- and three-high past three-quarters.

Those top horses continued to battle three across the track through the last turn, while Grannys Watching viewed the action from a tight pocket, just waiting for an opening. Grannys Watching slipped into the passing lane at the top of the stretch, and Face The Shadows hooked wheels with Windsun Charlotte in deep stretch, taking both out of contention. That left Grannys Watching a loose leader, flying to the line on top by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:56. Rightfully Mine (Drew Monti) took second, followed by Utopia Blue Chip (Dale Spence).

Grannys Watching ($9.64) is owned by her trainer, Taylor Fritz, in partnership with Hartel Maintenance Inc. The five-year-old daughter of Hes Watching-Granny Pants is now 12-for-69 lifetime.

Nelson's first career win came in the ninth race as Miramichi Alanna ($17.58) pounced from a pocket ride to capture a $7,143 optional-claimer in 1:56.3. The five-year-old daughter of Malicious-Exclamation had the garden trip through :28.1, :58.1 and 1:27.1 fractions, then came out on the turn and pushed past Bettor B Sawyer (Brett MacDonald) to score by a length. Always At Night G (Kevin Cummings) finished third. Joe Chindano Jr. drove the winner, who is now 14-for-76 lifetime.

Nelson made his career training debut with Miramichi Alanna in the same class on Sept. 23 at Batavia and is now one-for-two. The 20-year-old Buffalo, N.Y. native acquired the mare in May but previously delegated the trainer role to Lisa Mariacher and then Taylor Fritz.

Driver Chase Russo also recorded a significant victory as the 18-year-old reinsman took his first pari-mutuel win. He piloted eight-year-old Shadow Play-Raquel gelding Initial Concept ($23.60) to a late-closing 1:56.3 score in a $7,143 optional-claimer for owner Sebastian Calimeri. Russo comes from a multi-generational harness racing family that includes his parents, Chris and Cassie Russo, uncle David Russo and aunt and uncle Louis and Rose Russo, all having deep Western New York racing roots. Russo, who turned 18 four days ago and plans on driving professionally, has been honing his skills in qualifying races and fair competitions since his fair debut in July. He posted a .322 UDR in those fair starts with seven wins, eight seconds and 15 thirds from 51 starts.

Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Thursday at 5 p.m. There will be a $9,424 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the 11th race.

(With files from Batavia Downs; photo of Grannys Watching winning on Sept. 30)