It’s been four weeks since Winning Legends made his debut at Batavia Downs when he won the top trot. After failing to repeat in two subsequent attempts, the gelding put on a convincing performance to take the $11,200 Open I Handicap at the Downs on Sunday afternoon (August 22).
Winning Legends (Justin Huckabone) went right to the front and, after Franks Watching (Dave McNeight III) and Golden Kronos (Jim McNeight Jr.) settled in behind him, the final toteboard top three had already been determined. These three followed each other through quarters of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:27.4, where Golden Kronos finally pulled and tried to advance towards the leader. He got close to Franks Watching but Winning Legends was untouchable. Huckabone calmly line-drove Winning Legends off the last turn and down the lane to a one-length victory in 1:56.2.
Winning Legends ($2.80) has been winning Opens all over upstate New York this year and this sixth victory pushed his earnings to $37,191 for owner Jonathan Appelbaum. Justin Huckabone also trains the winner.
In the $9,500 Open II Trot, Party Boy Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) got his second win in a row at Batavia after he went gate-to-wire on the point, holding off a pesky Lunar Credit (Jim McNeight Jr.) from the five-eighths to the wire where he won by three-quarters of a length in a new seasonal mark of 1:58.1.
Party Boy Hanover ($3.10) is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice trains the winner.
Jim Morrill Jr. also won the last two races of the day with Movie Star (1:57.2, $3.30) and Mr. Sideburns (1:57.1, $4.40) to get the driving hat trick. Both of those horses were trained by Lisa Mariacher, who ended up the leading trainer on Sunday.
The Jackpot Pick-6 was hit on Sunday and returned a healthy $3,043.20 for a 20-cent wager on the combination of 5-5-1,6-5-5-1.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, with post time at 5 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)