It was bombs away at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Sept. 2) as the betting public errantly overlooked Country Delight in the $10,000 Mares Open Pace.
When the gate released the pacers, Country Delight (Jack Flanigen) took the lead immediately as the rest of the field seemed content to follow in post-position order to a :28 quarter. With no pressure at all, Flanigen continued to grab leather and strolled to a pedestrian :58 half.
Having had enough of it at that point, post time favourite Call Me Maybe (Drew Monti) pulled first-over and got as close as a length off by three-quarters in 1:27, but at that point it was too late. Flanigen let his mare out a notch and she did the rest, pacing home in :28.1 to win in a season’s best 1:55.1.
The win was the eighth wn in 28 starts for Country Delight ($22.20) and it pushed her annual income to $53,624 for owner James Frandsen and trainer James Clouser Jr.
Driver Dave McNeight III scored a driving triple getting across the wire with Jimgethejobdunn ($7.50), Momara ($4.10) and Heavenly Place ($3.40). Drew Monti and Ray Fisher Jr. both had driving doubles.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 4) at 6:35 p.m. when the New York Sire Stakes come to town featuring thre-year-old colt and gelding trotters who will compete for $120,400 in purses.
(With files from Batavia Downs)