It’s been a historic week at Batavia Downs as Wednesday night saw the trotting track record shattered by Archangel, and Saturday night (Sept. 15) saw the first time in 66 years that eight races were paced faster than 1:55.
In the $9,000 Open Pace, Le Reina Road ($7.90) made amends for last week when took the passing lane to victory in a career-best equalling 1:53.1. Spender Hanover (John Cummings Jr.) fired out the starting gate and cut the hot fractions of :27.1, :56 and 1:24.2, but was unable to hold off the stretch charge of perfect trip sitting Le Reina Road, who drew clear at the line to score by one and three-quarter lengths. Golden Terror (Dan Noble) surged late in the center to nip Spender Hanover for the place spot.
Le Reina Road, a seven-year-old Pro Bono Best gelding, notched his eighth win of the season in 30 starts. Dave McNeight III was at the controls for owners Limerick Racing. Dave McNeight Jr. trains the winner, who raised his seasonal earnings to $48,824.
Other sub 1:55 winners were: King Otra (1:54.1), Compass Connection (1:53.4), Two Step Turn (1:54.3), What The Sheik (1:53.2), Wildmotion (1:53.4), Keystone Reactor (1:54.4), and The Classic Z Tam (1:54.4).
(Batavia Downs)