Batavia Downs hosted a big night of racing on Saturday (Oct. 15) with over $150,000 in purses up for grabs, and the card was highlighted by a pair of $15,000 Opens for horses of both gaits.
The Open I Handicap Trot went to Lougazi, who came from behind to win in his best effort of the year.
Last week’s winner C R Blazin Beauty took the lead and trotted to the :28.3 quarter before Credit List came roaring to the outside to gain that position. But his lead didn’t last long either as C R Blazin Beauty came back midway through turn two and was back in first by the top of the stretch heading for the half. As soon as C R Blazin Beauty crossed over, Lougazi pulled from fifth and started his journey into contention.
Lougazi drew alongside C R Blazin Beauty by the three-quarter pole and appeared to be going by. But C R Blazin Beauty stiffened and came back, and both trotters were even coming out of the last turn. When they straightened for home, Lougazi swelled and trotted away from the field. He was wrapped halfway to the wire where, he won by 1-3/4 lengths in a personal season’s best of 1:57.2.
It was the seventh win of the year for Lougazi (pictured above), trained by Ryan Swift, who has now earned $89,860 for owner Mary Warriner. Ray Fisher Jr. drove the $6 winner.
Fisher and Swift also teamed up to win with the upset-minded Play Rock (1:56.3 winning mile, $48.40 to win) who gave Swift a training double. Fisher ended the night with three driving wins.
The premier Open I Handicap Pace was won by Out On Bail, who regained his form of last month to capture his ninth win of the year.
Puzzling sent straight off the gate for a short-lived lead when Jim Morrill Jr. decided Out On Bail deserved spot number one. He settled onto the pylons with a 1-1/2-length lead at the quarter in :28.2 and controlled the proceedings from there. With no legitimate challenge coming from the field, Out On Bail and Puzzling separated by two lengths as they headed towards three-quarters. Around the last turn, Out On Bail pulled away from Puzzling and, as they swung down the lane, Morrill sat chilly as he opened 3-1/2 lengths with Out On Bail who won in 1:54.
Out On Bail is owned by Mike Torcello and is trained by Sam Smith. He paid $3.70 to win.
Morrill ended the night winning four races on the card. Besides Out On Bail he also scored with Deputy Seelster (1:55.4, $6.70), Embrace the rust (1:59, $6.80) and B J Laredo (1:58.3, $3.00). As a result, Morrill closed the gap slightly between himself and Kevin Cummings for the dash driving lead. Cummings is on top with 93 and now Morrill is just seven behind in second place with 86.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 19) with a $1,662 carryover in the Pick-5 wager in the first race. The pool will be guaranteed at $5,000 through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program; starting Sunday (Oct. 16.), the Wagering Program will provide free downloads of past performance programs for the first five races of Wednesday (Oct. 19) on the USTA website. Post time for the first race is at 6 p.m. (EDT).
(Batavia Downs)