In his last visit to Batavia Downs, American Zest A demolished a field of Open II pacers as he won in 1:52.3 by open lengths. After a brief stop at Yonkers last week, the Aussie-bred returned to Genesee County and made quick work of the Open I class to claim the winner’s share of the $12,300 purse in the Saturday night (Oct. 2) Handicap.
Larry Stalbaum took American Zest A off the gate and settled in third as Foo Fighter N posted torrid numbers of :26.3 and :55.2. Positions remained unchanged until midway up the backstretch when Silver Beast pulled first over while American Zest A quickly followed him. It was only a few strides before Stalbaum tipped American Zest A three deep in the last turn in advance of taking control of the race. American Zest A cleared in the stretch and pulled away to a 2-1/4-length victory in 1:53.3.
It was the seventh win of the year for American Zest A, who is both owned and trained by Stalbaum. He paid $3.80 to win.
In the $11,000 Open II Handicap, Art Scene made every step a winning one despite some tense moments at the wire. Endeavors Pride had been sitting in the pocket the entire trip and at the head of the stretch, Cummings tipped him off that cover to make a late rush for the lead. But Art Scene was tough and hung on by a head in 1:54.4.
Art Scene is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock and is trained by Maria Rice. Jim Morrill Jr. piloted the $3.20 winner.
Jim Morrill Jr. topped the driver’s list again, scoring three wins on Saturday night.
There was no winner in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta wager again on Saturday, so there will be a carryover of $5,214 for that wager on Wednesday (Oct. 6) when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs. There is also another carryover that has been quietly growing in the Jackpot Pick-6 and it’s now worth $1,006.
Post time for the first race is 5 p.m. (EDT).
(Batavia Downs)