Track conditions were sloppy at best after torrential downpours swept through Genesee County, but China Dream didn’t seem to mind the mud as he came first-over and put in a gutsy effort while winning the $10,000 Open pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (September 17).
From the pylons, Heaven Rocks (Kevin Cummings) took the lead by default as no one else in the field left. From there, Cummings proceeded to cut pedestrian fractions for the class of :29.1 to the quarter and :59.1 to the half with his competitors following in post position order.
Shortly past that station, China Dream (Shawn Gray) pulled first-up and drew alongside Heaven Rocks. The two matched strides up the backside and around the last turn. At the head of the lane, China Dream wore down Heaven Rocks, but met another challenge from Foreign Officer (John Cummings Jr.), who had tipped three-wide and was driving. But China Dream was the better horse this night and held all comers at bay to win by length in 1:56.2.
The win was the ninth of the year for China Dream ($10.80) and it raised his annual income to $65,055 for owners Jack and Maria Rice. China Dream is trained by Maria Rice.
Shawn Gray posted four driving victories on the night while Ray Fisher Jr. won two races. Trainers Maria Rice, Angelo Nappo and Richard Lareau all sent two winners postward.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. for the final twilight card of the year.
(With files from Batavia Downs)