The featured race at Batavia Downs on Monday (Oct. 12) was the $19,286 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares and for the second time in as many starts, Grannys Watching won with a solid performance.

Grannys Watching (Shawn McDonough) went right to the front and set quarters of :28.1, :58.2 and 1:27.1, before seeing a challenge of any kind. And that challenge came from Utopia Blue Chip (Dale Spence), who paced alongside the leader from three-quarters and around the last turn. But Grannys Watching was up to the task as she turned back Utopia Blue Chip and then held off Gentrify (Brett MacDonald) in deep stretch to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:56.3. Utopia Blue Chip held sway for the third spot.

It was the eighth win of the year for Grannys Watching ($6.10), who is owned by her trainer, Taylor Fritz of Amherstburg, Ont., in partnership with Hartel Maintenance of Guelph, Ont.

Then in the undercard $15,000 A-B Handicap for fillies and mares, Wicked Beauty A (Ray Fisher Jr.) also made it two in a row after putting on quite a show in victory. Wicked Beauty A cut the mile in :27.4, :56.2 and 1:24.3, while extending her lead to seven open lengths. By the top of the stretch, Wicked Beauty was nine lengths clear and darted home much the best to win in 1:54.4. Mcvera (Shawn McDonough) was second, with Face The Shadows (Brett MacDonald) finishing third.

Wicked Beauty A ($3.60) is owned by Adelphi Ventures of Oneida, NY, and trained by Maria Rice.

Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 14) at 3:00 p.m. and there will be a $16,925 USD carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the 11th race. 

(With files from Batavia Raceway; Photo of Grannys Watching winning on Oct. 12)