The top class for both trotters and pacing mares were featured on the Wednesday (Oct. 14) card of racing at Batavia Downs, and the public choices came through in both events.
In the $8,500 Open I Handicap distaff pace, HP Sissy (Denny Bucceri) got away fifth while Protect Blue Chip (Billy Davis Jr.) paced on the lead through five-eighths of the mile. That is where HP Sissy came calling first-up on the rim, drawing close to the leader at the three-quarters. Protect Blue Chip and HP Sissy then strode neck-and-neck around the far turn and into the stretch, where HP Sissy started to inch clear and hold off a late-closing Lady Dudette (Kyle Cummings) to win in 1:55.
HP Sissy ($5.40) scored her sixth win of the year for Finocchario’s Dream Stable and trainer Mike Ohol.
In the $8,500 Open I Handicap Trot, CR Blazin Beauty (Ray Fisher Jr.) took a similar path to victory, getting away third behind Majestic Kat (Billy Davis Jr.) before tipping at the half and trotting unhurriedly outside the leader for the next three-eighths of a mile. At the head of the lane, CR Blazing Beauty switched gears, sped away to a two-length advantage by mid-stretch, and jogged home a winner in a new seasonal mark of 1:57.2.
CR Blazin Beauty ($6.30) is owned by Marissa Russo and is trained by David Russo.
Drivers Dave McNeight III and Drew Monti both scored hat tricks on Wednesday while trainer Rose Russo did so as well on the conditioning side. McNeight and Monti are the two hottest drivers at Batavia Downs over the last five programs, winning 14 and 13 races, respectively.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 17) at 5 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)