The comeback kid, Two Twentytwo, prepping for next week’s $40,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace, once again made it look easy when he notched his fifth win of the summer-fall meet
in the $9,000 Preferred Handicap, Saturday night (Oct.9), at Batavia Downs Casino.
Sent off as the prohibitive 1-4 betting favorite, reinsman Jack Flanigen fired the six-year-old Blissfull Hall gelding right to the top and they made every pole a winning one cruising to an under-wraps 1:54.2 score. Track announcer Joe Zambito called it a “jogburger.”
Compass Connection (Jim McNeight) finished 1-1/2 lengths behind in second while Oh Gee Whiz (Ray Fisher, Jr.) forced to go wide for the second week in a row behind stalled cover would up third.
“He raced really well,” Downs' dashing leading driver Jack Flanigen said. “It was a pretty easy win, our game plan was to try and save as much as we could for next week's Kane, and we definitely did that.”
“He’s the favourite for Batavia's Horse of the Year, no doubt about that,” Mike Kane, Vice President of Live Racing commented. “We wish him well next week.”
Two Twentytwo ($2.70) is owned by Dominic Colarusso, Jr. and trained by Richie Mays. Saturday night's win was his ninth of season in only 15 starts; he’s earned more than $225,000 lifetime.
Two Twentytwo was one of the top rated pacers three-year-old pacers in harness racing before an injury sidelined him for more than a year.
Rockin Ronny was Rockin
Two Twentytwo wasn’t the only one that had a big Saturday night. Veteran reinsman Ron Beback, Jr. was red-hot, guiding home five winners on the 12-race program including four from his own barn. Beback is currently second in the trainer standings before Sherri Holliday.
Kevin Cummings, well on his way to 3,000 career wins, scored a hat trick while Ray Fisher, Jr. notched a double. Trainer Jim Graham conditioned a pair of winners.
Bring on the Cannolis
A Columbus Day tradition returns to Batavia Downs on Monday afternoon, the annual Italian/American driver’s race. The Downs regularly raced on Columbus Day but Monday will be the first Columbus Day program held since Western OTB purchased the historic track in 1998.
Carded as race seven, Tom Agosti drives favored Encil from the rail; however Mike Caprio, a three-time winner of his event might be one to watch. The winner will be presented a box of Cannolis in the Winner Circle.
Columbus Day will be the final matinee of the season. Post time is 1:15 pm. The clubhouse will be serving a delicious Italian buffet from noon until four for just $7.95.
(Batavia Downs Casino)