There were a pair of $11,500 upper-lever condition races for pacing fillies and mares carded on Wednesday night (Nov. 1) at Batavia Downs and one winner got her first victory at the Downs while the other continued her streak.
The first split went to Mcnatural L (John Cummings Jr.), who sat fifth while the leading Imprincessgemma (Brett Beckwith) was being run by Isla Seelster (Dave McNeight III) in :28.1 and 57 flat. As the duel proceeded up the backstretch, Isla Seelster tired, forcing Bad Rossa (Jim Morrill Jr.) three-wide and Mcnatural L followed right behind her. By the top of the stretch, Mcnatural L had drawn even with Imprincessgemma A before bolting home to a 6-1/4-length win in 1:55.4.
Owned by El Dorado Stables and trained by Mandy Arrigenna, the McArdle mare Mcnatural L ($17.80) earned her first win at Batavia, but seventh overall this year from 30 starts in her five-year-old campaign.
In the next group, A Black Diamond (Dave McNeight III) got away third and followed the lead of Louie The Lilac (John Cummings Jr.) until the second circuit. McNeight made a first-over move approaching three-quarters with A Black Diamond and then matched strides with Louie The Lilac into the last turn. By the top of the stretch, A Black Diamond took the lead and scooted home to a 2-3/4-length win in 1:55.1.
The win was the third straight and 11th of the year from 36 starts for A Black Diamond ($10.60). Russell Bratt trains the five-year-old Betterthancheddar mare for Lav Racing Stable.
Brett Beckwith led all drivers at Batavia on Wednesday after he scored a grand slam in the bike.
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. and there will be a $234 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.
(With files from Batavia Downs)