The fourth and final leg of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for pacers was held at Batavia Downs on Monday afternoon (Feb. 12) and after the dust had settled, both Long Train Runnin and Proven Desire will enter the Trackmaster 79 division finals unbeaten.
In his $12,162 division, Long Train Runnin (Dave McNeight III) led the field off the gate but yielded the top to Dogfight (Kevin Cummings) at the :27.4 quarter. However, that change was short-lived as McNeight sent 'the Train' back down the tracks immediately to regain the lead. Now firmly back in control, Long Train Runnin backed off the half to :58 and met no opposition in doing so. With the group still in single file, the leader marched to three-quarters in 1:26.4 with only a mild bid from Huntsville Place (Kyle Swift) at that station. Long Train Runnin rounded the last bend and paced into the lane with a 1-1/2-length lead while the pocket-sitting Dogfight tried to make up ground. But Long Train Runnin made it to the station first and on time in 1:55.3.
It was the fourth straight win for Long Train Runnin ($3.40), who is owned by Paige Usiak and William Emmons. Jim Clouser Jr. trains the winner.
Clouser and Emmons are also the connections of Proven Desire, who won his $12,162 division and extended his winning streak to three.
John Cummings Jr. flew to the front with Proven Desire and opened up a two-length advantage in :28.2. While P L Notorious (Kevin Cummings) tracked from second, Proven Desire took his gapped advantage to the half in :58 and three-quarters in 1:27. As they entered the last turn, Cummings threw the lines at the leader and Proven Desire took off. He opened up 1-1/2 lengths at the top of the stretch and extended that lead to two as he cruised to the line in 1:55.4. Proven Desire returned $3.20 to win.
Clouser and Emmons also won with Lanas Desire (1:56.1, $2.50) in another $12,162 division, giving that connection a hat trick for the second week in a row as they advanced all three of their horses to the final.
The 10-year-old pacer Sir Pugsley earned his 40th career win in the 12th race after going gate to wire in 1:56.2. The son of American Ideal and Q And A has now bankrolled $482,357 as a result of his success. Taylor Fritz both owns and trains Sir Pugsley.
Driver Dave McNeight III scored a natural hat trick in races seven, eight and nine, and his win total was matched by Kevin Cummings, who was also victorious in three races on Monday. Trainer Sam Smith matched Jim Clouser Jr.’s three win total as well, to finish as co-conditioning leader for the afternoon.
The WNY Trackmaster Series pacing finals will be held next Monday afternoon (Feb. 19) at 3 p.m. The TM79 division will have a $27,027 final and two consolations worth $14,189 and $12,162. The TM75 division will have a $22,973 final and two consolations worth $11,487 and $10,135. And the TM71 group features a $18,919 final and two consolations worth $10,135 and $8,784. The top eight money earners in each group make the final and the second consolation must realize seven entries to be a go.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 3 p.m. and that card will feature the fourth and final round of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for trotters. Also there will be a $2,273 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
(Batavia Downs)