Driver John Cummings Jr. led New York Prime to his 50th career win in the featured $9,000 Open Pace on Saturday night at Batavia Downs Casino
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Two Twentytwo (Dan Yetman), Redford Hall (Kevin Cummings), and New York Prime all burst out of the gate, but Two Twentytwo found the front taking advantage of his rail post draw.
Soon after, New York Prime continued on with power to take the lead by the quarter in a swift :27.3, over a very sloppy racetrack. This passage gave him control of the field all the way to the end, but not without a fight. Favourite Redford Hall made an attempt to push past New York Prime on the front stretch, but couldn’t find the muscle.
The field continued to the half in :57.3 and the three-quarters in 1:26.4. Redford Hall took one more shot along with Incredible Ben (Jack Flanigen), who came three-wide before the last turn, but both competitors failed to overtake the leader. New York Prime coasted to the stripe of light in a final time of 1:56.2. Redford Hall, despite being parked out the entire trip, finished second while Spender Hanover (David McNeight III) came up along the rail for third.
New York Prime paid $6.10 to win for the seventh time this year. Alex Giuliani trains the gutsy eight-year-old Bettors Delight gelding, who raised his career earnings to $253,664 while making his 200th career start. He is owned by David Ball and Jerry Reinhart of Batavia, New York.
33-1 longshot Breezefromthewest knocked out the Pick 6 players when he notched his first win of the season for trainer Gary Gregory and reinsman Dave McNeight III. When racing resumes on Tuesday night there will be a Pick-6 carryover of $2,060. First post is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)