The card of harness racing at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Sept. 21 featured $18,243 Open Handicaps for both the pace and trot, and upset winners prevailed in each of this week’s top-flight contests.
The pacers went first, and Lip Reader A (Drew Monti) got his third win of the meet.
Lip Reader A got away sixth while Admiral Hanover (Kyle Swift) led to the quarter in :27.4, where Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.) then blasted by him to take control. As Villiam crossed over at the top of the turn, Monti pulled Lip Reader A off the pegs and pushed him through the breeze as the long march to the front began. When Villiam reached the half in :57, Lip Reader A drew alongside his flank, and the pair was locked in a duel before reaching three-quarters. Villiam and Lip Reader A pulled away from the field by three lengths in the final bend, and both drivers were highly animated in the urging of their mounts. Villiam and Lip Reader A paced stride for stride all the way down the lane until Lip Reader A got the advantage and won by a neck in 1:53.4.
It was the ninth win of the year for Lip Reader A ($11.60), who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing. Maria Rice trains the winner.
Lip Reader A was one of four winners for Monti on Saturday. He also won with P L Quarantine (1:54.1, $12.40), Heir Of Southwest (1:57.2, $8.10) and Leave And Roll (1:56.1, $19.60).
The trot was the very next race, and Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) got his second win in a row while being overlooked by the betting public despite having won the Open last week.
Biscoe got off to a slow start and was 10 lengths behind leader Treasured Tee (Joe Chindano Jr.) at the :27.4 quarter. Then, as the leader passed the half, Biscoe started moving up on the outside. Treasured Tee looked strong on the point rolling through the backstretch and Biscoe appeared to stall at that same time. But as the race neared three-quarters, Biscoe got it in gear and was trotting up a storm as they headed into the last turn. Treasured Tee was able to hold Biscoe at bay until they reached the top of the stretch, where Biscoe simply trotted away from the field by 3-1/2 lengths and won in 1:57.
Biscoe ($28.20; pictured above) got his seventh win of the year for his driver, who also owns the horse. Jim McNeight does the training.
Live harness racing at Batavia Downs resumes on Wednesday, Sept. 25 with post time at 6 p.m. There will be a $1,290 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5, in the 14th race.
(Batavia Downs)