In what has proven to be an excellent acquisition for his new connections, Art Scene won his second-straight in the $11,200 Open I Handicap feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Aug. 7).
Getting away last in the scratch-shortened field of five, Art Scene watched as Thor De Vie and Stranger Things squared off in a speed duel from the quarter to the half, and then past the five-eighths. That is where Stranger Things tired and Daylight Rush tipped three deep, with Art Scene following on his back. Then at the top of the stretch, Art Scene tipped off Daylight Rush's cover and paced away under a line drive from Jim Morrill Jr. to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.2.
Art Scene is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock, who claimed the seven-year-old gelding for $25,000 at Yonkers Raceway on June 14 and have since had two wins and a second out of three starts. Maria Rice trains the $4.80 winner.
In the $10,000 undercard Open II, Reggiano (Dave McNeight III) got away third off the gate, but pulled early and took the lead before the quarter. He continued to lead without a challenge past the :56.1 half and to three-quarters, where American Zest A rolled along the outside and towards the leader, moving into second in the last turn. When they straightened out for home, Reggiano looked clear but McSpidey was flying late from mid-pack and was closing fast. The two horses hit the wire a neck apart with Reggiano getting the nod in 1:53.3.
Reggiano ($7.70) is owned and trained by Marc Shuttleworth. Dave McNeight III drove the $7.70 winner.
Drivers Shawn McDonough, Denny Bucceri and Dave McNeight III both had two wins on Saturday while trainer Chris Naedele joined them with two of his own.
When racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 8) there will be a guaranteed Pick-5 pool of $5,000 that includes a $1,602 carryover. The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages will be available courtesy of Trackmaster on the USTA’s website on Sunday. The Pick-5 wager begins in Race 1 and runs through Race 5.
Also on Sunday there is a $733 carryover in the Jackpot Pick 6 in the fifth race and a $912 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 in the 10th race.
Post time for the first race is at 1:15 p.m. (EDT).
(Batavia Downs)