Solidifying his claim as the track's Horse of the Year, the comeback kid, Two Twentytwo, splashed to his sixth win of the summer-fall meet in the $8,800 Open Handicap Pace at Batavia Downs Casino on Saturday night
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Reinsman Jack Flanigen fired the six-year-old Blissfull Hall gelding right to the front from his assigned outside post and they were quickly in front as six of Western New York’s best pacers headed into the clubhouse turn. Once on top, Two Twentytwo made every pole a winning one, scoring in 1:57.4 over a very sloppy racetrack.
Oh Gee Whiz, with Ray Fisher, Jr., went from last to finding the two hole in a quarter-mile and chased the winner home to be second best while Michael Scores and Tom Agosti closed up the inside to be a non-threatening third.
Sent off at odds of 2-5 after last week’s narrow defeat in the $40,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace, Two Twentytwo paid $2.90 to win. He’s owned by Dominic Colarusso, Jr. and trained by Richie Mays. In 16 starts this year, the comeback kid has won ten of them and sports career earnings of more than $240,000. He’s named the comeback kid because of being sidelined for more than a year due to an injury.
Kevin Cummings had a big night steering home four winners on the 12-race program. Ron Beback, Jr. scored a driving hat trick while Ray Fisher, Jr. and Jack Flanigen notched driving doubles.
Batavia Downs Casino is currently hosting harness racing Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night. Post time is 6:40 pm. The 2010 season continues through December 4.
(Batavia Downs Casino)