HP Sissy had a career season in 2019, but hasn’t won a top-class pace this year since March 4. That drought was quenched on Wednesday (Aug. 26), when the mare dominated in the $8,500 Open I distaff pace at Batavia Downs.
HP Sissy (Denny Bucceri) started from post two and stayed right there while Tellawoman (Drew Monti), who left from post three, marched off quarters of :28, :57.3 and 1:25.2. At that point, Bucceri finally popped the deuce and matched strides with Tellawoman around the final turn in what turned into a very exciting finish. As the pair headed down the lane, HP Sissy got the advantage, kicked away from Tellawoman and the rest of the field, and scored a 2-1/2 length win in 1:54.2.
It was the fourth win of the year for HP Sissy ($7.20), who is owned by Finocchario’s Dream Stable and trained by Mike Ohol.
In the secondary feature, the $7,500 Open II Trot, New York Sire Stakes three-year-old trotting colt Barn Holden made a cameo appearance at Batavia and displayed what has made him the fourth highest point-earner in his division this year.
Barn Holden (Kyle Cummings) got away fourth while Lunar Credit (Jim McNeight Jr.) led the field the entire race. Heading into the stretch, Lunar Credit had a two-length advantage and looked like a sure winner. But Barn Holden, who was almost four lengths off the front at that point, displayed a furious :28.4 brush coming to the finish line and caught Lunar Credit by a neck in 1:56.3.
Barn Holden ($6.30) scored his third win of the year and pushed his earnings to $70,360 in the process for owners Steve and Nancy Pratt, Purple Haze Stables and Out In The Country Stables. Steve Pratt trains the sophomore son of Conway Hall and Barn Babe.
Driver Dave McNeight III and trainer Jennifer Giuliani each had three wins on the night.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 29) with post time at 6 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)