By Tim Bojarski for Batavia Downs
After being parked three-deep through the first turn and never seeing the rail until hitting the quarter in :27.2, Fireyourguns led the rest of the field on a tour of the property as he was never headed en route to capturing the featured Open pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 16).
Leaving from post seven in a full field of eight, driver Mike Caprio shot Fireyourguns off the gate and circled Western Alumni (Jim McNeight) and Best Ears (Jack Flanigen) who also rushed for the front. Those two seated by the eighth pole and Fireyourguns continued to overtake the early leader Art Two D Two (Don Rothfuss) to take command.
After hitting the half in :55.3 and the three-quarters in 1:24, Best Ears popped out of third to try and challenge the leader, but after a valiant effort through the stretch the attempt came up short. Fireyourguns hung on for a three-quarter length victory in 1:53.1. Best Ears was second and a very fast-closing Rock N Roll Legend (Drew Monti) rallied from seventh to catch third.
The victory was the tenth of the year for Fireyourguns and it brought his annual income up to $76,020 for owners Jennifer and Robert Lowe and Terrance McClory, who also trains the horse.
Batavia Downs held their first free handicapping contest Saturday that offered those who entered a chance to win their share of $1,500 in prize money. A total of 225 people competed and after all the points were tallied, Nick Stranges, of Lockport, won first place and $700. The other four winners were: second place ($400) William Smith, of Corfu, third place ($250) Fred Gundell, of Pavilion, fourth place ($100), Linda Marfione, of Churchville, and fifth place ($50) Larry Hughson Jr., of Albion.
Batavia Downs would like to congratulations to all the winners and thank all who participated. The next free handicapping challenge is on Saturday, Sept. 20.
