Photo of in Runaway Bay N in the lead with driver Kevin Cummings.
By TIm Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Kevin Cummings was red hot at Batavia Downs scoring wins in both features with In Runaway Bay and Nesh Cruiser along with three other victories to take five of the 10 races on the card. Cummings, who is currently the second leading dash driver of the meet, made a strong bid to retake the top spot after his performance on Saturday night (Oct. 20). .
In the $11,000 Open Handicap pace, Dark Horse (Ray Fisher Jr.) left hard and seated In Runaway Bay N (Kevin Cummings) who also tried for the front early. After everyone took a seat the race went to the half in :56 flat. At that point Barry Hanover (Shawn McDonough) started the outer flow and Rock To Glory (Drew Monti) followed that move.
As the race progressed to the three-quarters, Rock To Glory deserted his fading cover and tipped three-deep trying to get to Dark Horse. Almost out of that last bend, Barry Hanover finally packed it in and In Runaway Bay N nudged his way off the pylons between Dark Horse and Rock To Glory. As the top three argued toward the wire, In Runaway Bay N put away Dark Horse and held off a fast closing Rock To Glory to win by a half-length in 1:54.4.
In Runaway Bay N ($8.70) scored his sixth win of 2018 and eclipsed the half-century mark in earnings, now boasting $53,550 this year for owner Mark Jakubik.
In the $9,900 Open II pace, Nesh Cruiser (Kevin Cummings) tripped out behind Bugatti (Jim Morrill Jr.) to the head of the stretch before pulling out and going by to win by a nose in 1:54.4 for his eighth win of the year. Trainer RIchard Roth owns with Randy Roth and Robert Roth.
Besides those two wins, Cummings also scored with Cotton Eyed Joe (1:57.2, $6.40), Terlingua (1:56.4, $8) and Keystone Keen (1:56.4, $6.10) to round out the five-bagger.
Not to be outdone, the Downs leading driver Drew Monti also scored four wins on Saturday night as well. So after the last race ended, Monti is still on top with 82 wins for the meet with Cummings sitting right behind with 77.
The early Pick-5 that was part of the USTA Strategic Wagering program with a $7,000 guaranteed pool produced an instant jackpot payoff $5,350.50 for a $1 ticket on the combination of 7-4-3-2-3.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon with post time set for 5 o'clock.
