After winning on the front-end just last week, Center Attraction completely changed strategies but still got the same results in the $18,750 Open Pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Tuesday evening, Aug. 6.
Jim McNeight Jr. got away last with Center Attraction while Imprincessgemma A (Shawn McDonough) was on the point, jousting with Forgot Thewallet A (Kyle Swift) through quarters of :27.2 and :55.3 over a rain affected track listed as 'good.' When the race came out of turn three, the field started to bunch and Center Attraction had made her way to fifth, second-over on the outside.
Forgot Thewallet A stalled at the 1:25 three-quarters so Center Attraction tipped three-deep around her in the last turn. At the top of the lane, Center Attraction drew even with Imprincessgemma A and then confidently pulled away to the line where she won by a length in 1:56.1. Lookatmyart (David McNeight) finished second and Summer Lovin (Daniel Yetman) was third.
The win was the third of the year from 10 starts for Center Attraction ($10.80), who is owned by trainer Robert Anderson in partnership with Pamela Schieber.
Leading all drivers for wins on Tuesday were Joe Chindano Jr., who had a natural hat trick in races one, two and three, and Dave McNeight III, who matched Chindano's output with a natural hat trick of his own in races eight, nine and 10.
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 6 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)