In only his second night of racing, 20-year-old provisional driver Dave Mc Neight III notched his first career win at Batavia Downs Casino on Friday
when he dead-heated with Adelias Prince for trainer Brenda Ohol in race 12.
Mc Neight III comes from a harness racing family, his grandfather was a regular on the Western New York circuit for many years while his father currently trains and drives a large stable.
Repeat Winners in Batavia Downs Casino Features
For the second week in a row, The Grey Filly and Fifty Two Finn were victorious in the co-featured $8,800 Filly and Mares Open pace and $8.800 Open Handicap trot.
Trainer-driver Ron Bebeck, Jr., sitting behind The Grey Filly, used difference tactics when they came off the pace but it made no difference as they went on to neck score in 1:59, over a very sloppy racetrack.
Getting around third, the 4-year-old Northern Luck mare bided her time along the rail, briefly tipped three-deep around the final turn and held off the pocket sitter, Hugs Again with Jim Mc Neight, to go on to her third win in last four starts for owner Sandra Beback.
The early leader, Snapper and Jack Flanigen held on for third.
The Grey Filly did have to survive a judges' injury for possible interference in the stretch. She’s just shy of $50,000 in seasonal earnings.
Clearly loving the off-going was the 10-year-old Movie Mogul gelding, Fifty Two Fifty, who went to his fourth win in only seven Batavia Downs starts during the summer-fall meet, for owner/trainer Ron Stebbins.
Getting assigned the outside post made no difference to Fifty Two Finn and regular driver John Cummings, Jr., as they struck the front around the final turn and dug in to hold off Balata with Tom Agosti, who got away in the two-hole, to score by a head in 2:01.1. Speedy Ryan with Ron Abbott, the leader off the gate, wound up third.
This was the 44th career win for Fifty Two Finn. He’s earned over $430,000 lifetime.
Live harness Racing resumes on Saturday night. Post time is 6:40 pm. The Downs annual Breeders Cup party begins at Noon in the Paddock room. The 2010 racing season concludes on December 4.
(Batavia Downs Casino)