It was a cavalry charge to the finish line in the $9,000 Open Trot at Batavia Downs on Monday afternoon and when the dust settled, it was A Hay Luva Paige and driver Shawn Gray in front in 1:59.1.
After Photo Smart (Angus MacDonald) set the early fractions of :28.3, :59.1 and 1:28.4, the rest of the field was ready to pounce on the leader for the stretch drive. And pounce they did. It was A Hay Luva Paige ($4.20), who fanned out four wide, that had the best late kick to the wire, out-trotting runner up Serious George (Jack Flanigen) by a quarter length. Sharp Lady (Ray Fisher, Jr.) finished in third.
It was the 11th win of the season in 26 starts for A Hay Luva Paige and pushed his earnings in 2012 to $64,700 for owners Darrin Monti of Depew, N.Y. and Robert Hummel of Puslinch, Ont. Monti, who conditioned the winner, had a training double on the day.
Besides winning the feature, Batavia Downs' leading driver Shawn Gray had four wins on the card while Jack Flanigen and David McNeight III had doubles.
Veteran trainers Gerry Sarama and Dave McNeight Jr. each had two wins apiece.
In annual Driver's Bike Race, a Labor Day tradition at Batavia Downs since 1979, it was the young legs of 19-year-old reinsman Mickey Holliday who took the victory followed by Lee Dahn and Bobby Verney.
The racing action resumes on Wednesday night with a 12-race card set to begin at 6:25 p.m. The $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace is the feature with Evil Eva and driver Shawn Gray the morning line favourite at 3-1 off the rail.
The fall schedule will kick in at Batavia Downs starting this Wednesday. The track will present programs on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights with post time each evening set for 6:25 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)