Making her first start for new connections after being claimed last week, Misty Memory N moved up to the top class on the grounds and despite being overlooked by the betting public, won the $12,300 Distaff Open Handicap Pace at Batavia Downs on Friday night (September 3) in convincing fashion.
Misty Memory N (Ray Fisher Jr.) started from an assigned post seven and settled in last as No Where To Hide (Kevin Cummings) led uncontested to the half in :57.4. At that station, Misty Memory N left the pegs and started the long trek in the breeze without cover as they headed into turn three.
As No Where To Hide took the field up the backside, Misty Memory N made her way towards the front, methodically picking off horse after horse. By three-quarters, she was second on the outside and the leader was starting to show fatigue. At the top of the stretch, Misty Memory N was in full flight and paced right by the tiring No Where To Hide. She opened up 1-1/2 lengths at the light and won in 1:56.2.
In her initial outing for new owner JP Houle Stables and trainer Gaston Lareau, Misty Memory N ($18.40) won her third straight race at Batavia Downs and eighth of the year overall, increasing her 2021 earnings to $64,350.
In the $9,350 Distaff Open IV Handicap Pace, Quebec-bred HP Sissy (Jim McNeight Jr.) looked very much in form as she went gate-to-wire with authority, winning by 2-3/4 lengths in a new seasonal best 1:56.1. HP Sissy ($6.20) is owned by Finnocchario’s Dream Stable and is trained by Jim McNeight.
Finnocchario, McNeight and McNeight Jr. also hooked up earlier with Smooth Mara N ($9) for the connections to double up on the card. McNeight Jr. ended his night as the top driver with three overall winning steers.
Owner Mike Torcello, trainer Gerry Sarama and driver Kevin Cummings got across Nats A Lady (1:59, $34) and Backyard Swagger (1:55.4, $12.80) for a Friday night double of their own and then trainer Tammy Cummings and driver Kyle Cummings scored two wins as co-owners of Candys Desire (1:57, $11.80) and Heavens Diva (1:56.1, $16.60).
When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday, there will be three carryovers and one big guarantee.
The Pick-5 wager in races one through five was not hit again on Friday and, as a result, there is a $1,059 carryover. General Manager Todd Haight announced there will be a guaranteed $4,000 pool for that wager on Saturday. The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and free program pages for races one through five are already available from TrackMaster by clicking here.
There is a $225 carryover in race five for the Jackpot Pick-6 and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 has a carryover of $1,849 in race 10. Free full card past performance forms for every race night are always available for download at bataviadownsgaming.com under the 'Live Racing' tab.
Post time for the first race is 5 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)