Making his second start at Batavia Downs for new local connections since competing in the Ontario Sires Stakes over the summer, three-year-old trotting gelding Slayin Theday Away took on older foes and found the winner’s circle for the first time stateside after he triumphed in the featured $13,014 trot on Friday, Oct. 18.
Slayin Theday Away, driven by Drew Monti, grabbed the lead at the quarter and fronted the group of seven to the half in 1:01. It was there that Run Like Hill (Joe Chindano Jr.) pulled from fifth and made his way to the lead passing the five-eighths pole. Run Like Hill had the lead, but could not cross over as Slayin Theday Away continued to fight up the backstretch.
Run Like Hill tripped the timer in 1:29.1 at three-quarters with Slayin Theday Away still second on the pegs and a half-length behind. As they spun through the last turn, Slayin Theday Away got back even with Run Like Hill and at the top of the stretch, he completed a stellar comeback by taking the lead and keeping it by 1-1/4 lengths at the light in 1:59.1. Magic MVP (David McNeight II) came on for second over Run Like Hill.
The win was the eighth of the year from 21 starts for Slayin Theday Away ($2.70), who is now trained by Maria Rice and owned by Vogel And Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Dr. Michael Miller. The Muscle Mass-Babeivegotyoubabe gelding was a four-time winner in the Prospect Series and a runner-up in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Consolation prior to being sold in late September to his current New York connections.
Monti, Rice and Vogel And Wags Nags also teamed up for a win with five-year-old trotting gelding Jacked ($2.90), who scored in 1:57.3 earlier in the card.
The top drivers on Friday were Jim McNeight Jr. and Joe Chindano Jr., who both registered three wins during the proceedings. Jim McNeight got two training wins to match Rice as top conditioners.
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Oct. 19 with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $4,853 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 12th race.
(With files from Batavia Downs)