An Open Pace and an Open Trot, both valued at $18,056, were centre stage at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Nov. 9 and the winners of both events led gate to wire to do it.
In the pace, Shipsaway (pictured above with John Cummings Jr.) got his third win since shipping to Batavia.
Shipsaway initially got away second behind Bluesville (Dave McNeight III) but made a move past the eighth and had the front by the :28.2 quarter. Cummings then throttled the horse down to a :57.4 half where Primo Uomo (Joe Chindano Jr.) made a first-over move and was able to get to second and drop back to the pylons for the final turn. Shipsaway was pacing smartly on the lead when Chindano took his best shot with Primo Uomo at the top of the stretch. Shipsaway responded and never gave way, winning by two lengths in 1:53.2.
It was the ninth win of the year for Shipsaway ($8.10), who is owned by 716 Standardbreds and trained by Courtney Wright.
The very next race was the trot and El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) got back to his winning ways.
El Toro Loco and Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) got away first and second and gapped the field by about five lengths heading up the backside to the quarter. The field remained in single-file fashion to the half in a soft :59.2 where Discus Hanover (Drew Monti) pulled first to take a shot. Timing is everything and El Toro Loco's :28.2 third quarter turned back Discus Hanover’s bid and Biscoe was the last one to have a shot at the leader. But that challenge never materialized as El Toro Loco swelled up in the lane and trotted home, clear by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:56.3.
El Toro Loco ($3.90) is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.
Kevin Cummings led all drivers with three wins on Saturday while trainers Ryan Hall and Sam Smith each won two races during the proceedings.
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Nov. 13 with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $23,193 carryover in the Pick-5 in the first race and Batavia Downs will guarantee the pool at $75,000 through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering program.
(Batavia Downs)