Gentrify's victory in the $17,183 Fillies and Mares AA-Open Handicap Pace provided the highlight of a training triple for trainer Ron MacDonald on the 12-race card at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Sept. 23, with his son, Brett, in the bike for all three wins.
Gentrify settled in third for about an eighth of a mile before tipping out and taking the lead from Grannys Watching (Shawn McDonough) passing the quarter in :28.2. When the field came off turn two and passed three-eighths, Utopia Blue Chip (Dale Spence) left the cones, and she led a three-horse outer flow through :57.1 and 1:25.3 middle fractions. But the “breeze brigade” never advanced farther than second as Gentrify was on a mission and pulling away. The pacesetter had opened up a three-length lead at three-quarters, and she cruised away under wraps to a 5-1/2-length score in 1:54.3. Grannys Watching took second over Face The Shadows (Kevin Cummings).
The win was the fourth of the year in 21 outings for Gentrify ($8.06), who is owned by Ed Gorc of Sudbury, Ont. The five-year-old daughter of Always B Miki-Addy Girl is now 10-for-64 lifetime.
The MacDonalds also won with Cheese Party (1:55.1, $4.18) and Expresso Beans (1:57.3, $20.78). After going three-for-three on the day, Ron MacDonald has 12 wins from 55 starts at Batavia this year and is 64-for-366 overall.
Drew Monti matched Brett MacDonald’s driving triple during the night.
Live racing will resume at Batavia on Thursday at 5 p.m. There will be a $5,934 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the 10th race.
(With files from Batavia Downs)