Red Star Fiona's debut may have been delayed a week, but when the B.C.-bred mare did hit the Batavia Downs' half-mile oval on Wednesday evening (Nov. 13), she made it worth the wait.
A six-year-old mare, Red Star Fiona ($8.90) went wire-to-wire in her first Western New York appearance and posted a 1:57.2 time in taking the featured $8,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace by three-quarters of a length over Artsy Princess. Vla Faire (Ron Beback Jr.) showed late pace and finished third.
Red Star Fiona arrived from the Maywood and Balmoral Park circuit in Chicago, Illinois, but was scratched out of last week's Batavia Downs event and the break paid off.
Driven by Ray Fisher Jr., Red Star Fiona set the fractions of :29.2, :59.4 and 1:28 over the fast track in posting her 12th win of the season. Artsy Princess (Kevin Cummings) tried to rally in the stretch, but could reel in the winner.
Owned by Justin Anfinson and trained by JD Perrin, Red Star Fiona (Island Fantasy-Red Star Tipper) has now earned $34,434 on the season and $69,801 lifetime.
Ronnie Wrenn Jr., North America's leading dash driver, notched a four-bagger while Jim McNeight, Ray Fisher Jr. and Dave McNeight III all had doubles.
The racing continues on Friday night with a 12-race program scheduled with a 6:30 p.m. post time. The feature event will be the $8,500 Open Trot where the mare Mystical Escapade is the 9-5 morning line with Greg Merton in the sulky.
(With files from Batavia Downs)