The comeback Kid, Two Twentytwo made it look easy when he notched his second straight $9,000 Preferred Handicap victory, Saturday night (August 14), ‘Back to the Track night’, at Batavia Downs Casino
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The truth is it was anything but easy. Firing out of the starting gate from Post 3, Two Twentytwo, with Jamie Dunlap in the sulky, paid the price to be the boss taking command at the quarter in a sizzling :26.4. Racing to the half, Two Twentytwo had company, as a parked out Revolutionary Foe with Jack Rice was up to challenge for the lead in :55.1. Track announcer Joe Zambito commented “they have a shot at the track record.”
Past the five-eighths and heading to three-quarters Dunlap was able to seat favoured Revolutionary Foe and go on to a powerful 4-1/2 length score in 1:53.2. Former Downs track record holder Michael Scores (Tom Agosti) came on to be second while Cry For Cash (Ken Holliday) got the show dough.
Two Twentytwo, off two years due to an injury, is a chestnut son of Blissful Hall. He is owned by Dominic Colarusso Jr. and trained by Richie Mays. Saturday night's win was the 11th of Two Twentytwo’s career and it raised his lifetime earnings to over $232,042.
Batavia Downs would like to thank everyone that participated in the ‘Back to the Track’ promotion especially Paul Wright and family, who brought over a very well behaved Carolina Red to the paddock room for photos and so racing fans could learn more about the sport.
Other popular ‘Back to the Track’ promotions included a drawing for a trip to the 2010 Little Brown Jug won by John Milroy. A baseball Cap giveaway, driver autographs before the races and a special handicapping contest for prizes.
Racing resumes on Monday night. First post is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. The Pick 6 carryover pool for Monday is $2,009.
(With files from Batavia Downs)