Classy Lane Rose, driven by Drew Monti, pulls ahead.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Classy Lane Rose has been a shrinking violet with the Batavia Downs winner’s circle this meet having not won in four starts here. But the mare was in full bloom on Wednesday (Aug. 30) as she went gate to wire in convincing style to win the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open pace.
Classy Lane Rose (Drew Monti) left with the gate and the field willingly settled in post-position order behind her. After letting her intentions be known, she then tempered her speed to the half, backing it down to :58 flat. No one made a move until the three-eighths pole when Susie’s Delight (Ray Fisher Jr.) came first-up and brought Kruella (Shawn McDonough) along with her.
Monti kept the challengers at bay, speeding up the third panel to :28.1 and from there the race was won. Despite horses fanning four-wide around the final turn, Classy Lane Rose was in full stride and paced home in a crisp :27.4 to win by a length.
Now with $60,300 in the bank on the strength of six wins this year, Classy Lane Rose ($3.30) is owned by Carl Monti and trained by Darrin Monti.
The co-feature $8,000 distaff Open II field was shortened to five starters after two late scratches and as a result, Mean Pauline (Shawn McDonough) got a perfect pocket trip behind the point-mare Hot Patootie (Larry Stalbaum) and then shot through the lightning lane to win by a length in 1:55.2.
It was the fifth win of the year for Mean Pauline ($11.80) and owner Harry Wortzman. McDonough also trains the winner.
Drivers Drew Monti, Larry Stalbaum and Ray Fisher Jr. all had two wins on the card. Trainer Kim Asher also scored two victories on Wednesday evening.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 1) with post time at 6 p.m. Friday’s card features the $106,000 NYSS for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
