Vla Faire saved ground throughout the mile and needed every inch of that real estate to win the $8,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace by a nose over Puff Mommy at Batavia Downs Wednesday in 1:54.4 over a 'fast' track.
The mile was the fastest of the year at Batavia Downs for the filly and mare pacers.
After dropping into second-place behind the pacesetting Two Step Turn to the half, Vla Faire was shuffled back to fourth momentarily as the field of six was double decked down the backstretch to the three-quarter pole. Driver Kevin Cummings remained patient, however, and managed to get around the tiring Two Step Turn around the far turn. As the field turned for home, Puff Mommy (Shawn McDonough) and Keep It Fair (Gregory Merton) fanned out for the battle while Vla Faire ($4.40) snuck down along the passing lane and managed to win the race to the wire by a nose under the urging of Cummings. Puff Mommy took second in the photo while Keep It Fair held on for third.
Owned by the Oakhurst Farms and trained by Richard Tomaszewski, Vla Faire has now won three times in 12 starts, earning $33,000 thus far in 2013.
One lucky ticket holder at a Rochester EZ-bet location took home the entire pool in the Pick 4 on a $4 wager. The Pick 4 pool was guaranteed at $3,000, part of the USTA strategic wagering program.
Racing continues on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. with a 12-race program slated.
(With files from Batavia Downs)