Winter hit Batavia Downs hard on Saturday night, Nov. 30 and a spate of scratches due to weather-related transportation issues shortened many of the fields. But the horses that did show up went dashing through the snow and that included the winners of the night’s two Open events.
The $19,718 Open Handicap Pace went to post first and favourite Melanion N ($3.30) made it two straight wins with another impressive outing.
Melanion N, driven by Drew Monti, wrestled the lead from Mirragon N (Shawn McDonough) at the :27.2 quarter and then settled on the point in the turn to lead the abbreviated five-horse field to the half in :56.4. Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.) moved first-over at that point, drew near the leader at the 1:25 three-quarters mark and then stayed close around turn four. But when they straightened for home, the race was over quickly as Melanion N swelled up and bolted for the line on top by 5-1-/2 lengths to win in 1:53.3. Villiam was second and Mirragon N finished third.
The win was the fifth of the year in 24 starts for Melanion N, a seven-year-old Bettors Delight-Georgias Jury gelding who is owned by Vogel And Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Dr. Michael Miller. Melanion N is trained by Maria Rice, who also won with Lip Reader A (1:57.1, $8.20) earlier in the card.
Melanion N was one of four Saturday winners driven by Monti, whose grand slam included a natural hat trick in races six, seven and eight. Monti’s other winners were Mayweather Hanover (1:58.2, $22.40), Lip Reader A and U Bake The Cake (2:00.1, $7.90).
The $19,718 Open Handicap Trot followed the pacing feature and Biscoe ($6.60) tripped out to a late victory.
Mucho Macho (Joe Chindano Sr.) commanded the early fractions of :29 and :59.1 while Biscoe and Jim McNeight Jr. sat in the garden spot. At the half, favourite El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) and Dougadougadew (Kyle Cummings) advanced one-two in the breeze with El Toro Loco eventually taking the lead at three-quarters in 1:28, Dougadougadew moving into second and Biscoe getting briefly shuffled to fifth before shaking loose and moving quickly into third.
Around the last turn, El Toro Loco and Dougadougadew were trading leads while Bisco was sneaking closer with every stride. When the straightened for home, Dougadougadew took the lead from El Toro Loco, but Biscoe came flying down the center of the track and collared Dougadougadew in the shadow of the wire to win in 1:57.4 by a length. El Toro Loco finished third.
The victory was the eighth of the year in 30 starts for Biscoe, a four-year-old son of International Moni-Setntheworldonfire who is owned by his driver McNeight Jr. and trained by Jim McNeight.
Driver Dave McNeight III also had a grand slam on Saturday, winning with Starlitcresentroll (1:57.4, $7.10), Pepper Guy (1:58.1, $29.40), Mach Le More A (1:56, $3.10) and Skyline Blue Chip (1:56.3, $13.80).
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Dec. 4 with post time at 6 p.m. There will be a carryover of $1,149 in the Pick-5 in the first race and a carryover of $4,138 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 15th race.
There are only two nights of live racing left in the 2024 meet, which concludes on Saturday, Dec. 7. However, Batavia Downs will return after the holidays on Monday, Jan. 6 for the start of the 15-day 2025 winter meet. Racing will be held every Monday and Thursday through Monday, Feb. 24 with all cards having a 3 p.m. post time.
(With files from Batavia Downs; Photo of Melanion N winning on Nov. 30)