After just missing the win in this same race just last week, Black Is Back got the job done on Saturday night (Oct. 10) in the $8,500 Open Pace at Batavia Downs.
Taking full advantage of the pylon post, Black Is Back grabbed the lead by the quarter and took the field to the half in :57.3. By that time Stratosphere began rolling up on the rim. Black Is Back and Stratosphere battled up the backside, around the far turn and into the lane, where Black Is Back put away the challenge and then held off a late charge by Mr Euroman to win by a quarter length in 1:54.3.
It was the fourth win of the Batavia meet and sixth win overall this year for Black Is Back who is owned by Curtis Edhholm and Mihajlo Zdjelar Sr. Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr. trains the winner. Dave McNeight III drove the $3.30 winner.
In the $7,500 Open II Pace, Manceiver pulled first over at the three-eighths and took the lead from Santana Beach by the half, then kicked away to a four-and-three-quarter length win in 1:54.1. Owned by Jeffrey Savidge and trained by Jennifer Giuliani, Manceiver took a new seasonal mark in his third win of the year. Drew Monti drove the $5.00 winner.
Drew Monti had the hot hand in the sulky on Saturday, winning five races on the card. He won with the aforementioned Manciever, Machlicious (1:54, $3.60), The Lunch Pail (1:55.2, $2.10), Thedoginthefight (1:57.4, $3.70) and Gallant Major (1:57.3, $7.20).
Trainer Don Rothfuss led all conditioners with two wins on the night.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 14) with a guaranteed $3,000 pool in the Pick-5 wager that day. It will be part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program and as such, there will be free program pages for the first five races on Wednesday available on the Batavia Downs website and the USTA website starting on Monday. Post time for the first race will be 5 p.m. (EDT).
(Batavia Downs)