Driver Drew Monti extended his already comfortable cushion as the dash win leader at the Batavia Downs meet by winning six of the 12 races on Saturday, Nov. 7, including a sweep of the Opens.
In the $19,014 Open Handicap Pace, Lip Reader A worked hard for the lead and took it from Luck Is Up (Dave McNeight III) passing the quarter in :27.3. Once on top, Lip Reader A glided to the half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:24.4 for Monti as Livonjaxandqueens (Denny Bucceri) applied pressure during that :28.1 third panel. But Lip Reader A turned away that challenge and cruised down the lane to victory in 1:54. Luck Is Up was second, followed by I Aint No Mack (Kevin Cummings).
The win was the ninth of the year in 30 outings and 53rd lifetime in 200 starts for the venerable 12-year-old Lip Reader A ($4.54). The 12-year-old Sportswriter-Strike Line gelding is trained by Maria Rice for Vogel & Wags Nags LLC and Team Rice Racing LLC.
Monti won the $19,014 Open Handicap Trot with Seventier, who returned to racing action after more than two months away and picked up where he left off, registering his fourth win in a row. Seventier got away last of seven as Beaueastel (Dave McNeight III) and Crazy Ritz (Jimmy McNeight Jr.) traded leads through the :27.4 first quarter. Crazy Ritz took control and headed the field to the half in :58.2 where Chamba (Joe Chindano Jr.) started an outer flow with a mild bid that lasted to five-eighths. Seventier was third-over in that tier and made a three-wide move around Chamba approaching three-quarters in 1:28.1, then drew alongside Crazy Ritz in the last turn. The two trotters matched strides into deep stretch, where Seventier pulled away by a half-length to score in 1:57.3. Civilian Drone (Ray Fisher Jr.) finished third.
The win was the 11th in 19 starts this year and the 35th lifetime from 120 outings for Seventier ($33.06). El Dorado Stables and Mike Torcello own the eight-year-old Chapter Seven-Southwind Cartier gelding, who is trained by Alex Giuliani.
Monti filled in his half dozen with Moved Bythe Spirit (1:56, $6.68), Play Rock (1:55.4, $4.10), Soul Assassin (1:55.3, $6.76) and Winchester Phoenix (1:55, $10.78). Monti’s UDR for the night was .500. He has won 128 races at Batavia this season and is 63 ahead of second-placed Kevin Cummings.
Twelve different trainers each won one race apiece on Saturday.
Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. There will be a $32,602 carryover in the Jackpot Super High Five pentafecta wager in the 13th race.
(With files from Batavia Downs; photo of Seventier winning on Nov. 7)