Without question, the best resident mare at Batavia Downs continued to roll as Misty Memory N won the $12,300 Fillies and Mares Open I Handicap on Wednesday (Sept. 29) to score her fourth victory in her last five starts at the Genesee County, N.Y., oval.
Misty Memory N (Denny Bucceri) got away last in the scratch-shortened field of five and watched as Protect Blue Chip (Jim Morrill Jr.) took the field to the half in :57.1. When Kevin Cummings pulled Stay Beautiful at that station, Bucceri followed with Misty Memory N, shadowed cover until the last turn, and tipped three-deep turning for home. After vacating cover, Bucceri let Misty Memory N pace home entirely on her own while opening up a 3-1/2-length lead at the wire to win in 1:54.4.
Misty Memory N ($4.60) continues to rack up big numbers during her career year, now with 10 wins and $78,126 in the bank. Gaston Lareau trains for owner JP Houle Stables.
One race earlier, in the $11,000 Open II for female pacers, Canadian transplant Tuapeka Jessie N (Jim Morrill Jr.) was bet off the board at 1-9 and made easy work of her seven competitors after taking the front off the gate, leading at every station and pulling away to a 2-1/2-length win in 1:55.3.
Recently purchased by Vogel & Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock, Tuapeka Jessie N ($2.20) scored her third win of the year. Maria Rice is her new trainer.
Morrill added wins with Mean Pauline (1:57.1, $4.80), Rocklindarock (1:58.1, $2.60) and Innocent Victim (1:56.1, $2.80) for a grand slam on the night. Kyle Cummings also had a driving hat trick, while trainers Tammy Cummings and Gaston Lareau each registered two wins.
Of the three carryover pools going into Wednesday night, two will still be live when racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 1).
The $5,000 guaranteed Pick-5 on Wednesday was hit and the combination of 6-6-5-4-5 returned $573.25 for a 50-cent bet. However, in Friday's ninth race, the Jackpot Super Hi-5 will have a healthy carryover of $4,069, and another small but mentionable carryover of $589 will be available for the Jackpot Pick-6, which begins in race four.
Post time for the first race Friday is 5 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)