Despite a substantial step up in class, Iyq Yqr went gate to wire to win the $11,000 Open Handicap pace on Saturday, Nov. 10 at Batavia Downs.
Iyq Yqr got away sharply off the gate, took the lead and rolled through the first two turns with no pressure at all. But Cool Like Fire, who pulled at the three-eighths, drew alongside Iyq Yqr in front of the grandstand and tried to clear at that point. Driver Denny Bucceri popped the plugs on Iyq Yqr and he responded to Cool Like Fire’s charge and put him away before the three-quarter pole.
Heading into the final turn, Iyq Yqr opened a clear advantage while trailing horses were bunching up for their stretch bids. But Bucceri was in the middle of a highly-animated drive and Iyq Yqr responded down the lane to rebuff the late challenges of Cultural Paradise and In Runaway Bay to win in 1:57.
It was the third straight victory at Batavia Downs for Iyq Yqr, who is owned by the Blindswitch Racing Stable, Anthony Nicometo, Good Friends Racing Stable and Santo Farina. Jeff Amann trains the $13.20 winner.
In the $9,900 Open II co-feature, Go Collect N tracked cover from Im So Handsome before pulling past three-quarters, sliding by and pacing to a 1:57.2 victory.
Go Collect N scored his eighth win of the year for owner William Emmons who has now deposited $85,501 this year on his behalf. Billy Davis Jr. drove the $4.40 winner.
Denny Bucceri led all drivers on Saturday scoring a Grand Slam on Saturday night. Besides winning the feature with Iyq Yqr, Bucceri also won with R U Machin Me (1:57.1, $15.00), Michael’s Victory (1:58.1, $3.60) and Ugly Betty (1:59.4, $38.60).
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Nov. 14 with post time for the first race at 5 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)