Wednesday (Nov. 30) was ladies night at Batavia Downs with a top-heavy program of fillies and mares races who competed on a cold and blustery night. The featured $14,000 Open I Distaff Handicap was won by Shallow, who made her way back to Batavia last week after spending some time at The Spa.
Shallow took the lead and after a snappy :28.2 quarter, Fisher grabbed two fists full of leather and walked to the half in :31.1 split. This flushed Demeter N from fourth and she pushed the pace to three-quarters in 1:28.4, getting to within one-half length of Shallow. After staying close around the last turn, Fisher went to work on Shallow who responded and pulled away in deep stretch to win in 1:57.3.
It was the fourth Open I win this year at Batavia for Shallow, who is owned by Room4040 LLC Stables and trained by Andy Gardner. Ray Fisher Jr. drove the $5.10 winner.
The undercard was a $10,000 mid-level condition that went faster than the feature after Faithful Desire put in a stellar gate-to-wire effort.
Faithful Desire led the way for Candys Desire and Ruthmae Hanover as they shadowed her in second and third, respectively, through quarters of :28.4, :58 and 1:26.2. With the rest of the field six lengths and more in behind coming off the final bend, the top three spread out for the final furlong fight. Faithful Desire was in the middle, flanked by Candys Desire in the passing lane and Ruthmae Hanover on the outside. All three drivers were urging their mares but the leading Faithfull Desire was the toughest and held on by one-half length in 1:56.
It was the second straight win and ninth of the year for Faithful Desire ($4.20) and owner Eva Saintcross. Shawn McDonough trains the $4.20 winner. Jim Morrill Jr. sat in the bike.
Fisher and Gardner each ended the night with three wins each. Morrill and McDonough also scored three wins apiece on Wednesday.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 3) at 6 p.m. (EST) and there is another carryover available. The Jackpot Hi-5 Pentafecta in the 13th race will start with $5,781 in the pool.
(Batavia Downs)