The weekly $20,270 top-class events for both gaits were carded on Thursday afternoon (Feb. 8) at Batavia Downs and the winner of both races claimed their first victory of the year in impressive fashion.
Steady rain and an off track threw a curveball at bettors at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 1) as many favourites failed to fire allowing some bountiful payoffs to prevail. That included both featured races, where photos were needed to decide the winners.
After finishing second in his last two starts despite very strong efforts, Mirragon A got back to the winner’s circle after taking the $15,000 Open I Handicap pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Oct. 7.
After winning three consecutive Open paces at Yonkers over the summer, Rocknroll Runa A had been in a bit of a slump in his last four outings, only hitting the board once. That all changed at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 30) when he took advantage of a perfect trip and posted a convincing victory in the featured $15,000 Open Handicap pace.
After three consecutive races out of post 7, Just Plain Loco got a rare start from the inside. He responded to the unique look of the pylons in favourable fashion as he wired the field in Buffalo Raceway's $15,500 Open Pace on Saturday night (Apr. 29).