Brushing to the lead in the backstretch after parking from the start, Chumlee A won the $10,000 Open Handicap Pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday, December 2.
Major Trick, Lucky McTrucky and Chumlee A all left the gate, with Major Trick grabbing control and parking Lucky McTrucky, while Chumlee A settled second-over in the outer flow. The top two horses dueled through fractions of :27.1 and :55.4.
Driver Larry Stalbaum tipped Chumlee A three-deep past the five-eighths pole, clearing the lead at three-quarters, and pacing home to a six-length victory in 1:54, a lifetime best.
It was the third straight win both in North America and at Batavia Downs for Chumlee A, paying $3.20 to win. The son of Somebeachsomewhere is owned by Mark Jakubik and Kim Asher, who also does the training.
The $9,000 co-featured Open II Pace went to Heaven Rocks (Ron Beback Jr.) who wired the field on an uncontested lead, winning by five lengths in a lifetime-best 1:53.3. Heaven Rocks, paying $5.70, won his sixth race of the season. The five-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven that is owned by William Emmons and trained by James Clouser Jr.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, December 6 at 5 p.m., featuring a $2,500 guaranteed pool for the Early Pick 5. Please note that it will be the last Wednesday of the year, as racing will only be held on Friday, December 15 and Saturday, December 16 the final week of the meet.
(With files from Batavia Downs)