Just one week ago, Dave McNeight III had a brilliant night at Batavia Downs as he won five races on the card. On Saturday, Aug. 31, McNeight one-upped himself at The Downs as he won six races during the program and now sits a solid second for dash wins this meet.
Known as “Triple Sticks,” McNeight won with The Downtown Bus (1:55, $4), Lanas Desire (1:55.2, $16.20), Daylight Rush (1:55.1, $9.10), American Rascal (1:55.2, $41.20), Remember The Beach (1:56.1, $6.80) and My Mind Is Made Up (1:55.2, $2.90).
McNeight now has 27 wins and is second to Jim Morrill Jr., who tops the leaderboard with 31 wins after Saturday’s action. Also as a result of his big night, McNeight is now only four wins away from 1,700 lifetime.
Two races McNeight didn’t win on Saturday were the pair of $18,243 Opens that were both taken by gate-to-wire winners, who each reached double-digit wins for the year.
Saratoga Raceway regular Topville Somebeach ($6.70) travelled west on the 90 to compete at Batavia and didn’t have to worry about paying the toll to get home after he won the Open Handicap pacing feature in the fastest overnight clocking of the season.
Jim Morrill Jr. sent the front-loving Topville Somebeach right to the point and rated a moderate half in :57.1. As they made their way into the clubhouse turn, Melanion N (Drew Monti) was rolling up the outside and got as far as the pocket-sitting Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.) at the 1:24.3 three-quarters. Topville Somebeach took his 1-1/2-length lead into the final bend as Melanion N and Villiam continued to track from behind, but both had work to do. The chase continued into the stretch where Villiam got the closest before the line, but came up a half-length short as Topville Somebeach won in 1:52.3. Melanion N finished two lengths behind in third.
The win was the fifth in a row and 10th of the year from 18 starts for four-year-old Rockin Image gelding Topville Somebeach, who is owned by trainer Brett Derue, Stephen Picarazzi and Darreyl Bullard.
In the Open Handicap Trot, the Canadian-campaigned Power And Grace ($5.50) showed her speed and class and she dominated the field of seven male rivals.
Drew Monti put Power And Grace on the lead and then put the field to sleep with a :59.1 half. As the trotters made their way around turn three, Monti hit the gas and Power And Grace started to pull away up the backstretch, opening up a 2-1/2-length lead at three-quarters in 1:27.4. She continued to gap the field rounding the final bend and had a four-length lead at the top of the stretch. Power And Grace turned for home all by herself and cruised to the line under no urging whatsoever to win in 1:56.3. Burrow (Kevin Cummings) and Great Unknown (McNeight III) completed the top three finish order.
Power And Grace also earned her 10th win of the year, from 26 starts, and notched her 66th career victory. Hartel Maintenance, Lormer McClure, Brett MacDonald and Reg Higgs own the nine-year-old Holiday Road mare, who is trained by Ron MacDonald.
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs with a special Labour Day matinee on Monday, Aug. 31 with post time at 1:15 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)