In Runaway Bay moved up in class and tripped out the mile to win the $10,500 Open Handicap Pace in his 2018 Batavia Downs debut on Saturday, Aug. 4.
Bugatti got away sharply off the gate and went for the lead but Lucan Hanover quickly moved to challenge for the top. Going hoof to hoof through quarters of :27.3, :56.1 and 1:25, Bugatti and Lucan Hanover dueled while In Runaway Bay stalked third on the pegs.
Halfway around the final bend, Lucan Hanover succumbed to the pace and made room for In Runaway Bay to pull and advance in the stretch. Bugatti was held firm but In Runaway Bay had fresh legs and collared him at the wire to win in 1:54.1 by a half-length.
In Runaway Bay has now earned $34,795 on the strength of four wins in 2018 for owner Mark Jakubik and trainer Angelo Nappo. Driven by Kevin Cummings, he paid $17.20 to win.
In the $9,000 Open II Pace, Validus Deo sat a perfect pocket trip behind Tioga Downs-invader Believe This Bob from the start of the race until just past the three-quarters when Cummings pulled right-line and drew next to the leader. They paced around the final bend together but then Validus Deo accelerated past Believe This Bob in mid-stretch under strong urging to win by two lengths in 1:54.
Looking sharp off the sick scratch in his last start, Validus Deo now has six wins this year and $35,376 in earnings for owners Matthew Rosiek, Robert Johnson and driver Kevin Cummings, who also trains the winner. He paid $15.80 to win.
Cummings completed the natural driving hat trick with Rock Fame ($11.20) who paced a season’s best 1:54.1 for owner Mike Torcello and trainer Gerry Sarama.
There is a $328 carryover pool for the early Pick-5 wager on Sunday, Aug. 5 which runs from race one through race five. Post time for Sunday’s card is 1:15 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)