It took nearly a half-mile grind on the outside, but Vla Faire managed to get up in time and beat the favoured Youre Too Funny by a nose in the $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night.

Vla Faire (Ray Fisher Jr.) was content to sit fifth until just before the half. From there, Vla Faire was first over and used a slow and steady pace to stay in contention to the top of the lane as Youre Too Funny set the fractions of :27., :57, and 1:26.4.

Down the stretch, the five-year-old VLa Faire ($11.20), a daughter of Village Jove, continued to chip into the lead and managed to finally overtake the game Youre Too Funny (Jack Flanigen) in the shadow of the wire, stopping the clock in 1:55.2. Its De Lovely (David McNeight III) rallied for third.

Owned by Oakhurst Farms of Lancaster, New York, Vla Faire earned her fourth victory of the season. The winner, trained by Richard Tomaszewski, has earned $38,355 on the season.

The racing action resumes on Friday night at Batavia Downs with a 12-race program slated with a 6:25 p.m. post. The feature will be the $9,000 Open Trot as Big Baller and driver Shawn Gray. seek their fourth victory in five starts in the main event. Big Baller has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favourite.

Saturday night features the second free handicapping contest of the season.
$1,000 will be up for grabs with the winner taking home $500 in cash. The top five finishers receive prize money. The contest consists of Batavia races one through nine. Sign up begins at 4:30 p.m. at Players Club. All contest forms must be deposited by first race post 6:25 p.m.

Also on Saturday, in conjunction with the $1.8 Million New York Night of Champions, Yonkers Raceway simulcast programs will be free at Batavia Downs beginning at 5 p.m. at the program stand.

(Batavia Downs)