After finishing second in his last two starts despite very strong efforts, Mirragon A got back to the winner’s circle after taking the $15,000 Open I Handicap pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Oct. 7.
Jim Morrill Jr. sent Mirragon A to the front and comfortably led his five competitors through quarters of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:25 as no one from behind could seem to advance. As they made their way through the last turn, the pocket-sitting Ideal Artillery (Jim McNeight Jr.) finally pulled and then Stranger Things (Shawn McDonough) found an opening along the pylons. They both were driven hard down the lane but Mirragon A had the jump and got the win by one-quarter length in 1:53.4.
It was the second Open I win at Batavia and sixth win overall on the year for Mirragon A ($3.90), who is owned by his trainer, Mike Deters, in partnership with Joel Warner and John Manning.
There was another gate-to-wire winner in the $13,000 Open II Handicap Pace. Avion Seelster (Dave McNeight III) cut the fractions while Warrawee Unique (Kyle Cummings) and Little Willy (Jim Morrill Jr.) gave chase, but their efforts were futile. Avion Seelster had a 1-1/2-length lead at the head of the stretch and extended it to 2-1/4 at the line where he won in 1:54.2.
That's two wins in a row for Avion Seelster ($7.20), owned by Marissa Russo and trained by David Russo.
Kevin Cummings had four driving wins on Saturday while Jim Rothfuss topped all trainers with two victories during the night.
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. and there will be a $4,230 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.
(Batavia Downs)