The $9,500 Mares Open Pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (August 24) was like 'Groundhog Day' for the winner as My Tallia Ideal, once again, came from off the pace to dominate at the end and score consecutive victories in the Genesee County oval’s top distaff class.
Looney Dune (Ben McNeil) took a slow methodic outside route to the lead after the small but select field of mares broke from the gate for race one. She cleared before the quarter in :27.3 and from that point, the trailing field followed her in post position order until they straightened out for the half.
At the head of the stretch, My Tallia Ideal (Dave McNeight III) pulled and began motoring up towards the leader followed by All Charged Up (John McDonald) and Who Says That (Drew Monti) in the outer flow. By the middle of the backstretch, My Tallia Ideal’s forward assault was complete when she cleared and tripped the three-quarter timer in 1:25. From there, the gauntlet was laid down as the daughter of Western Ideal opened up by two, then three and pulled away more to a 1:53.4 win over All Charged Up and Who Says That.
The win was the sixth of the year for My Tallia Ideal ($5.90), whose seasonal record includes victories in three out of four Batavia Downs starts, all being in the top class. The win pushed her earnings for the year to $43,525 for owners Peter Kibler, Kenneth Owczarczak and Courtney McNeight. My Tallia Ideal is trained by Dave McNeight Jr.
Four drivers owned most of the card as Todd Cummings won three races and Kevin Cummings, Jack Flanigen and Dave McNeight III each won two. Trainer Dave McNeight Jr. also sent two horses to the winner’s enclosure.
(With files from Batavia Downs)