There was a pair of $18,243 Open Handicap races highlighting the Saturday, Sept. 28 card at Batavia Downs and the winners of each put in stout efforts in victory on a rain-soaked night in Genesee County.
The Open Pace was up first and won by Villiam ($5.40), who was challenged at every step of the mile.
Villiam and driver Joe Chindano Jr. took the lead off the gate and crossed over to the pylons in the first turn. But before he could get to the quarter, Melanion N (Drew Monti) had worked his way up from seventh and was pacing alongside the leader. Melanion N took the lead at three-eighths, but Villiam didn’t allow him enough room to clear so the parked pacer was forced to remain in the breeze. Villiam and Melanion N matched strides to the half in :55.4 and continued to battle onto the second circuit.
As they passed five-eighths, Mirragon N (Shawn McDonough) had moved into contention from the back of the pack and tipped three-wide around Melanion N at three-quarters. As Melanion N started to fade, Mirragon N took the lead from Villiam, but once again Villiam refused to let the horse clear. The pair paced step for step around the last turn until Villiam pulled ahead by a length at the top of the stretch and maintained that advantage to the wire, where he won in 1:53.1, which was a new seasonal mark over the sloppy surface. Mirragon A was second over Stranger Things (Kevin Cummings).
Villiam, a seven-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven-Village Mirage gelding, got his fifth win of the year from 25 starts for owner Anthony Evgenikos and trainer Maggie Chindano.
Chindano finished the night with a total of three driving wins.
Three races later, the Open Trot was won by the only mare in the field of eight, Canadian-campaigned Power And Grace ($4.20), who led every step of the way over her male rivals.
Power And Grace left from post seven with Drew Monti in the bike, grabbed the lead and proceeded to dictate the rest of the race. After going comfortable quarters of :29.1, :58.4 and 1:28 without any serious challenge from behind, Power And Grace entered the homestretch and simply pulled away from the field by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:57.4. Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) and Johnny Boy (Kevin Cummings) rounded out the top three finish order.
The win was the 11th of the year from 29 starts -- and 67th lifetime victory -- for Power And Grace, who is owned by Hartel Maintenance, Lormer McClure, Brett MacDonald and Reg Higgs. Ronald MacDonald trains the nine-year-old Holiday Road-Mark Of Honour mare.
Kevin Cummings was top dog in the bike on Saturday, scoring a grand slam. Ryan Hall was the top conditioner, sending two winners postward.
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Oct. 2 with post time at 6 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs; Photo of Power And Grace winning on Sept. 28)