Local racing fans turned out in healthy numbers on opening night at Batavia Downs on Monday to watch three $37,267 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies and they were treated to some very exciting finishes.
In what turned out to be a real heavyweight bout, Mamora Bay proved the best over Scarey Karie after a quarter-mile, two-horse breakaway in the eighth race.
Four horses left, with Scarey Karie (Phil Fluet) eventually getting the lead and going to the quarter in :30.3 while Mamora Bay (Sam Schillaci) hit the wood. Mamora Bay then pulled first-over from fifth going to the half and methodically worked her way up to the leader before they hit three quarters, and from there it was a two-horse race. With Scarey Karie on the rail and Mamora Bay on the outside, the two trotted stride for stride around the far turn and down the stretch. The battle continued all the way to the wire with Mamora Bay ultimately claiming victory by a head in 2:03.4.
“She’s just been an incredible filly. She’s never been flashy since day one; to be honest with you we never thought she was this good. But from the first time she’s seen the starting gate she just loves what she does” said trainer/driver Sam Schillaci.
Mamora Bay, who paid $3.70 to win, is owned by Peter Barbato.
In the first division, prohibitive 1-2 favourite Mighty Surf (Kevin Cummings) went right to the front and opened up a quick three-length lead. As the field moved to the quarter, Barn Bella (Claude Huckabone, Jr.) who was sitting second, made a break and that allowed Hotel Royale (Chris Lems) to then claim that spot. The field stayed pretty much the same through fractions of :30.2, 1:01.4 and 1:32.4 until just before the top of the stretch. Hotel Royale pulled and challenged the leader down the stretch, but Mighty Surf was just too tough and hung on to win by a length in 2:03.2.
"She was good tonight, maybe a little bumpy in the turns. The track was a little deep but the race was never in doubt" driver Kevin Cummings said after the race.
Mighty Surf, who kicked back $3.00 to her backers, is owned by Roy Dobbins and trained by Dennis Laterza.
The second division saw Flyhawk Charm (Chris Lems) leave sharply to take an uncontested lead as Maewegonow (Charlie Norris) was content to sit second with the trip. The girls trotted to a pedestrian 1:03.1 half before Deli Delite (John Campbell) pulled from fourth and moved into second on the outside by the three quarters. That challenge lasted until the top of the stretch when Deli Delite faded just as Maewegonow was moving up the rail to mount a rally against the leader. Maewegonow and Flyhawk Charm trotted side by side down the lane, with Flyhawk Charm proving to be the best and win by a nose in 2:04.
"She's great gaited, she gives you all's she's got, she's just a nice filly. She likes horses around her and that's why she responded so well down the stretch" commented driver Chris Lems.
Flyhawk Charm, who paid $20.20, is owned by Edward Flynn and Joe Flynn, who also trains her.
There were also three divisions of the Excelsior A series that went for $15,000 each.
Eternal Flame AS ($3.90) driven by Jim Morrill, Jr. and trained by Anette Lorentzon won the first leg in 2:03.4 for owners ACL Stuteri AB.
Billie Blue ($16.00) driven by Chris Lems and trained by George Ducharme was victorious in the second division in 2:04.4 for owners George Ducharme Stable LLC, Paul Fontaine and Charles Iannazzo.
Teasin N Pleasin ($5.10) driven by John Campbell and trained by Thomas Corelli wired the third heat field in 2:05.4 for owners Edward Reich, Thomas Corelli and Fred Corelli.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening at 6:15 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)