A small field of fleet pacing mares went postward Wednesday night (September 24) in the $9,250 distaff Open at Batavia Downs, and when the dust settled, Dirty Girty turned in a sparkling performance.
Off the wings, Infrontigo Hanover (driven by Truman Gale) sped away, seating Taylor Rei (Ray Fisher Jr.) and Shes A Maniac (Jim McNeight) who left as a pair. After pacing through fractions of :27.4 and :56.3, Mondatta (Mike Caprio) and Dirty Girty (Jack Flanigen) started the trek up the outside as the group went into the clubhouse turn.
At that point, Infrontigo Hanover tried to run and hide, opening up a three-length lead. But Flanigen tipped Dirty Girty three-wide around the sputtering Mondatta to keep pace with the leader. They continued to gobble up ground when they hit the three-quarters in 1:24.4, and eventually drew even with Infrontigo Hanover. Then, through the lane, Flanigen just raised the lines and let Dirty Girty do it all by herself, pacing away to a two-length victory in 1:54.
A fast-closing Bazooka Terror (Kevin Cummings) was second and Infrontigo Hanover hung on for third.
It was the seventh win in 30 starts for Dirty Girty, raising her 2014 earnings to $46,325 for owner/trainer James Clouser Jr. The winner paid $10.80.
Kevin Cummings, Shawn McDonough and Jim McNeight all scored driving doubles on the night.
Racing resumes at Batavia on Friday (September 26) with first-race post time at 6:35 p.m.
(Batavia)