Despite consistent performances most of the summer, Vla Faire was lightly regarded and sent off at 5-1 when the windows closed. But she made a believer of those who backed her as she came from off the pace to beat three others by a nose in the $9,500 Mares Open Pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 27).

Princess Katie (Ray Fisher Jr.) left for the lead and got it by the quarter. From there, Fisher grabbed leather as he dictated an uncontested pace and got the field to three-quarters in a stodgy 1:30. The action started there when Vla Faire (Wade Tomaszewski) pulled first over with Wanna Rock N Roll (Todd Cummings) on her back. When they hit the top of the lane, Ugly Betty (Kevin Cummings) slid out around Princess Katie, and Vla Faire and Wanna Rock N Roll fanned three and four-deep. The cavalry then charged to the wire with Vla Faire getting the nod by a head in 2:00.1.

The win was the third of the season for Vla Faire ($13.40) and it pushed her bankroll to $24,169 for 2016. The nine-year-old daughter of Village Jove-Trade Fair is owned by Oakhurst Farms and trained by Richard Tomaszewski.

In the $8,000 co-featured Mares Open II, Mach This Way (Todd Cummings) got away first in the short field of five and never yielded the lead. After leading the group through fractions of :28.1, :59.2 and 1:29.1, Mach This Way held off a mid-race challenge from Kaitlyn Akeeper (Dave McNeight III) and a late-race rush from Taboo Seelster (Shawn McDonough) to win by a decisive two lengths in 2:00.

Mach This Way ($3.50) is owned by William Emmons and trained by JD Perrin.

Todd Cummings won four races on the card while Drew Monti had a double. On the conditioning side, Leonard Segall and JD Perrin both sent two horses to the winner’s enclosure.

(Batavia Downs)