The last matinee card of the year at Batavia Downs was held on Saturday (Oct. 31) and featured the top two pacing classes on the grounds and the performances turned in by the winner of each were equally impressive.
Cobble Beach (Jack Flanigen) shook off a couple fringe finishes and took no prisoners going wire-to-wire in the $10,000 Open Pace in 1:54.4. Cobble Beach ($7.70) earned his ninth win of 2015, which has become a career year for wins and earnings (now $75,500) for the five-year-old Artiscape gelding. James Clouser Jr. trains Cobble Beach for owner Leonard Segall.
In the co-feature $8,400 Open II, Historian (Jim McNeight) took advantage of a two-hole trip behind FB Seelster (Dave McNeight III) and stalked the leader the entire mile before shooting up the passing lane in deep-stretch to garner victory by a mere head. Historian ($12.20) toured the course in 1:53.3, which was a new lifetime mark for the five-year-old Stonebridge Regal gelding. Jack and Maria Rice own the winner with Maria Rice also doing the training.
Several horsemen made multiple trips to the winner's circle on Saturday. Kevin Cummings, Jim McNeight and Jack Flanigen all had driving triples while trainers Maria Rice, James Clouser Jr. and JD Perrin all sent two winners postward.
Arainna Brone, who was visiting Batavia Downs while home for the weekend from college, won the $4,000 pair of diamond earrings in the “Diamond of a Day” promotion sponsored by TAG Jewelers.
(With files from Batavia Downs)