Saturday at Batavia Downs means double-feature night and two Open Handicaps valued at $18,056 each went to post with full fields on the Oct. 26 program.
The Open Pace was first and Lanjo Lee drafted to his 25th career victory.
Lanjo Lee was sent to the front by driver Kyle Cummings and the favourite got there by the quarter before letting Vel Mr Nice Guy (Joe Chindano Jr.) come right back and be leader of the pack from there. After passing the half in :56.2, Lip Reader A (Drew Monti) went first-up and pressured Vel Mr Nice Guy from there to the top of the stretch, while Lanjo Lee was getting the perfect pocket trip. When they straightened for home, Cummings shot Lanjo Lee into the passing lane and blasted to the lead by a half length at the line in 1:54.1. Lip Reader A was second and Vel Mr Nice Guy was third.
The win was the second straight and sixth of the year from 22 starts for Lanjo Lee, who is owned by Gordon Swift and trained by Jeff Sorenson. The five-year-old So Surreal-My Drag Queen gelding paid $4.30 to win.
Cummings ended the night with a grand slam after also winning with Catch A Lefty A (1:57.1, $6.10), Dougadougadew (1:58.3, $13.80) and Beach Boogie (1:56.2, $3.40).
Later in the Open Trot, Valentine Express put in a big effort to claim his second consecutive win.
Driven by Joe Chindano Jr., favourite Valentine Express was joined by Credarena (Dave McNeight III) and Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) as they sprinted three-across the track off the gate and to the :28 quarter. At that point, Biscoe took command with Credarena and Valentine Express settling in behind. But Chindano had Valentine Express out and moving again at three-eighths and drew near the leader by the half. As they made their way around turn three, Valentine Express and Biscoe continued to spar all the way up the backstretch before Valentine Express was able to take the lead at three-quarters. Once in front, Valentine Express opened up two lengths at the top of the stretch and made his way down the lane with a four-length advantage and won in 1:55.4, which was a new seasonal mark. Biscoe finished second and Double Class (Kyle Cummings) came on for third.
The win was the sixth of the year from 27 starts for Valentine Express, who is owned by Rock 01 Stable and trained by Jerry Nugent Jr. The five-year-old Chapter Seven-Cantata gelding notched his 19th career victory, returning $6.40 for a $2 win ticket.
In the night’s third race, 13-year-old YS Lotus (1:55.4, $5.60) scored by 3-1/2 lengths to register his 60th career win. Kevin Cummings drove the former Gold Cup & Saucer champion for current trainer Sam Smith and owner Mike Torcello.
Several horsepeople scored doubles on Saturday, including drivers Joe Chindano Jr., John Cummings Jr., Kevin Cummings and Drew Monti, and trainers Tammy Cummings and Mike Deters.
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Oct. 30 with post time at 6 p.m. There will be a carryover of $1,244 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
(With files from Batavia Downs; Photo fo Valentine Express winning on Oct. 26)