It’s the same old story and the same old song and dance for Il Mago, who has been seemingly unbeatable of late at Batavia Downs. He took yet another $8,500 Open I Handicap Trot in Genesee County on Wednesday night (Nov. 18) over an off track that saw snow flurries earlier in the day.
Jim Morrill Jr. took his usual spot on the point with Il Mago off the gate and cut fractions of :28.2 and :57.2 without any early challenges. But past the half, CR Blazin Beauty (Dave McNeight III) came calling and accompanied the leader all the way to the wire.
CR Blazin Beauty trotted towards Il Mago up the backside and around the final turn. By the top of the stretch, the leader was in her sights. As the finish drew near, it was clear Il Mago needed the line as CR Blazin Beauty had now trotted alongside. But the 11-year-old Il Mago closed the deal once again, winning by a neck in 1:57.3.
It was the third straight win and fifth in the last seven starts for Il Mago ($5.20), who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama.
Morrill, Torcello and Sarama collectively had a hat trick on Wednesday as Toothofthedragon (1:58, $4.20) and Concertinas Image (1:58.4, $6.80) also registered wins.
In the sub-featured $7,500 Open II Pace for fillies and mares, Wonderful World (Billy Davis Jr.) tripped out behind Yankee Secret (Dave McNeight III) until the stretch, where she pulled and paced away to a 1-3/4 length win in 1:56.4. Wonderful World ($11.00) is owned by Mike Carrubba and her trainer, Sabrina Shaw.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 21) with post time at 5 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)