After being narrowly defeated in this same class last week, the lightly regarded Gias Surreal went from worst to first for her 10th win of the year in the $12,500 fillies and mares Open I Handicap Pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 30).
Blue Bell Bonnie (Dave McNeight III) took the lead and played hardball with the heavily favoured Little Joke (Billy Davis Jr.), parking the latter to the half in :56.1. As the field made its way around the third turn, they were in two rows, with Gias Surreal (John Cummings Jr.) sixth and last at the pegs.
When the race passed the five-eighths pole, Cummings hit the gas and tipped Gias Surreal three-wide to the three-quarters, circling the field and finally taking the lead at the head of the stretch. With Blue Bell Bonnie still a force at the pylons, Cummings rocked and knocked Gias Surreal all the way down to the wire, where she won by one-half length in 1:55.1.
On the strength of the win, Gias Surreal ($17.80) pushed her earnings to $93,244 for owners Jim Graham, Edward Peron, Lee Winters and Thomas Mariano. Graham also train the filly.
There were no surprises in the $11,000 fillies and mares Open II, as Protect Blue Chip (Billy Davis Jr.) returned from a three-month layoff to go gate-to-wire handily in 1:55. Going off the post time choice, Protect Blue Chip ($3.20) won by two lengths for owners Vogel and Wags Nags Stable,Jack Rice and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice trains the winner.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Nov. 1) with post time at 6 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)