Since landing in North America earlier this year, the Aussie pacing mare Elegant Woman A has made her way up the class ladder, and her efforts reached a zenith at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Oct. 22 when she won the $16,197 Fillies and Mares Class AA-Open Handicap Pace in impressive fashion.
Elegant Woman A got away third behind Delta Three N (Joe Chindano Jr.), who led the field through the quarter in :27.3 and to the half in :57 over a sloppy track. Drew Monti pulled Elegant Woman A first-over on the backstretch, and the mare quickly surged alongside Delta Three N at three-quarters in 1:26.2 before crossing over to the front approaching the final bend. Once on top, Elegant Woman A swelled up and soared clear by 4-1/4 lengths to win wrapped up in 1:55.4. Summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) edged out Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings) for third.
Elegant Woman A ($6.06) took her seventh win of the year in 19 starts. She made her North American debut in June for owners Vogel and Wags Nags LLC, Jack Rice, Monti, and Maria Rice, who trains her. The five-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight-Versace Woman is now nine-for-26 lifetime.
In the $12,394 Fillies and Mares Class A Pace, Rightfully Mine (Kyle Swift) was last at the half before pulling second-over behind Day To Party (Monti) in pursuit of the pacesetting Major Megan (Dave McNeight III), who led the group to three-quarters. Swift then tipped Rightfully Mine three-deep, and the seven-year-old American Ideal-Leah mare took the lead in the stretch en route to a one-length victory in 1:57.4. Major Megan finished second over Face The Shadows (Kyle Cummings). Rightfully Mine ($5.92) is owned by Monique Cohen and trained by Chris Petrelli.
That victory highlighted a triple by Petrelli, who also won with trainees Memphistennessee N ($13.34) and Kb Mac ($3.14). The conditioner now has 68 wins in 379 starts this year for a win rate of 17.9 per cent.
Drivers Dave McNeight III and Monti had three wins apiece on Wednesday night.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday, Oct. 24 with post time at 6 p.m. There will be a $7,032 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
(Batavia Downs)