Starting slow and finishing fast was a winning strategy for Tullow N, who posted a convincing victory in the $12,500 Open I Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on a very cold Saturday night.
Im So Handsome (Billy Davis, Jr.) took command early and led the single-file field to the half in :58.2. It was there that Tullow N (John Cummings, Jr.) pulled first-over and motored up the outside as they made their way around the third turn.
When they straightened out on the backside Tullow N was in full gear and paced right by the entire field, clearing by the three-quarters. Cummings then settled Tullow N and took a two-length lead into the last turn. In the stretch, the pocket-sitting I’m So Handsome and a three-wide Howmac Dancer (Renaldo Morales III) tried their best to reel-in the leader, but Tullow N was on a mission and won in-hand in 1:55.2.
The eighth win of the year for Tullow N ($9.60) pushed his earnings to $89,260 for the season. The Blindswitch Racing Stable owns the classy eight-year-old altered son of Mach Three-Tessa Bromac who is trained by Dave Russo.
Despite coming off a very solid win in his last start, a jump in class shied bettors from backing Carlos Danger this week in the $10,000 Open III pace. But the game six-year-old had the last laugh over the doubters after he went gate to wire in 1:56.3 at 10-1 for trainer/driver Ron Beback, Jr. Carlos Danger ($23.40) is owned by Deckers Corner Stable, Deckers Gate Stable and Jos Get R Done Stable.
Billy Davis, Jr. was the top dash driver again on Saturday adding three more wins to his total. He now has 111 wins for the meet and has long locked-up the driving title for the meet as he is 32 wins ahead of the second place Jim Morrill, Jr.
Drew Monti and Dave McNeight III also scored two wins apiece.
There was no winner in the Pick-5 wager on Saturday night and as a result, there is a $1,134 carryover and a $4,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick-5 wager on Wednesday evening (Nov. 20) when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs at 5 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)