Fireyourguns had some ammunition left in the chamber again this week and gunned down the field in the $8,500 Open Pace at Batavia Downs Saturday night (Aug. 24). It was his second straight victory in the Open.
Sitting last in the field of six, Fireyourguns ($4.80) and driver Mike Caprio started to move first over at the top of the stretch the first time as What The Sheik set the half-mile tempo in :55.4. By the time the field reached the three-quarters mark in 1:24.4, the pacesetting leader What The Sheik found himself eyeball to eyeball with Fireyourguns. It was obvious it was going to be a shoot out to the finish. Fireyourguns had one shot left in the chamber, however, and it was enough to get a neck in front of What The Sheik at the wire to take the win in 1:53.4. Le Reina Road (David McNeight III) finished a fast-closing third.
The win was the fourth in 16 starts in 2013 for Fireyourguns (American Ideal-Villa Hanover). The four-year-old gelding is owned by trainer Terence McClory along with Jennifer and Robert Lowe. He now has bankrolled $36,060 this year and $102,880 lifetime.
Reinsmen John Cummings Jr. and Ray Fisher Jr. each posted driving doubles.
Racing continues on Sunday at 1:15 p.m. with an 11-race card scheduled. It's also one of the biggest days of the season at Batavia Downs as Family Fun Day will be presented. The ever-popular wiener dogs races will be held after the final harness race (approximately 4:15 p.m.) to highlight the day's activities. There will also be $1 Sahlen's hot dogs, sodas and draft beer, free pony rides for the kids and appearances by Mr. Scribbles and Pringles The Clown.
(With files from Batavia Downs)