For the fifth straight start at Batavia Downs, the Saratoga Raceway-based Delta Three N has been unstoppable regardless of class, post, or trip as she won again in the $17,361 Fillies and Mares Open 1-2 Handicap Pace on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
Leaving from the assigned post eight, Jim Morrill Jr. was parked out third with Delta Three N behind Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings), who had trouble getting by a stubborn Bee Okay A (Dave McNeight III) in a fast first quarter of :27. Won Surreal Deal finally cleared and was immediately overtaken by Delta Three N, who was the commander of fractions for the remainder of the race. Delta Three N hit the half in :55.4 and three-quarters in 1:24.3, where an outer flow was on the march led by Violets Rainbow (Kyle Swift), who was followed by Gias Surreal (Drew Monti).
Delta Three N entered the last turn ahead by 1-1/2 lengths, but the pursuers were inching closer as they neared the stretch. A wall of horses composed of Won Surreal Deal, Violets Rainbow, and Gias Surreal was right behind the leader and making up ground down the lane, but before those mares could get to her, Delta Three N reached the wire, on top by a neck in 1:54. Won Surreal Deal was second over Violets Rainbow.
Delta Three N ($3.80) is now 11-for-24 this season. She is owned by Stephen Picarazzi and her trainer, Brett Derue. The eight-year-old daughter of Mach Three-Ella Sue has amassed 20 wins and $168,078 in earnings from 75 lifetime appearances.
Morrill, Derue, and Picarazzi also teamed up to win with American Tour N ($5.50), who easily went gate-to-wire in 1:54.3 in the $11,528 conditioned claimer in Race 10.
Another Saratoga-based trainer, Zack Gray, won the sub-featured $13,472 mid-level conditioned pace for fillies and mares with Lyons Miki (Joe Chindano Jr.). She pulled from fifth at the half and made her way to second at three-quarters in chase of loose leader Downtown Tonight (Jim McNeight Jr.), who was starting to come back to the pack. At the top of the stretch, Lyons Miki caught Downtown Tonight, and she then held off the closing Arco N (Monti) to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:56. It was the second straight win at Batavia for Lyons Miki ($4.20), who is owned by Bob Kluchevitz.
Morrill had three driving wins on the 13-race program, and trainers Derue and Shawn McDonough each had two wins.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday with post time at 6 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)