Summer Slash was given a smart steer in the closing stages to win the featured $16,620 Fillies and Mares Class AA-Open Handicap Pace on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at Batavia Downs.
Summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) got away fifth as Delta Three N (Jim McNeight Jr.) and Tres Chic Bluechip (Joe Chindano Jr.) traded leads during the :28.2 first quarter. Once settled on the point, Tres Chic Bluechip was quickly faced with an outer flow before the half in :57.3 with Rightfully Mine (Kyle Swift) first-up, followed by Gias Surreal (Kevin Cummings), Summer Slash, who was third-over, and Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings).
The field raced four in-four out to three-quarters in 1:26, but when the group made its way through turn four, Rightfully Mine was pacing around the leader and Gias Surreal had swung three-wide around them both. But instead of going four-wide off cover, Fisher sent Summer Slash three positions down and into the passing lane. The mare then shot through at the pylons and beat the rest of the girls to the line by a length in 1:55.1 to register a 10-1 upset. Tres Chip Bluechip held off Gias Surreal for second.
Summer Slash ($23.04) is now six-for-20 this season. The six-year-old daughter of Downbytheseaside-Before The Poison improved her career record to 22 victories from 83 starts and her earnings to $250,380. Ryan Swift trains the mare for Ilovemyharnesshorsesummer.
Drew Monti and Joe Chindano Jr. both had driving hat tricks while trainer Shawn McDonough registered two wins on the 13-race card.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday with post time at 6 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)