By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations
Tioga Downs invader, Mach It A Par, tried to extend her winning streak at Batavia Downs last week but fell under the weather and was scratched. That only delayed the inevitable as she bounced back with a vengeance this week in the $9,500 mares Open feature pace on Wednesday night (Aug. 19).
Three horses left as the seventh race began. Eyemajet (Shawn Gray) and Ugly Betty (Drew Monti) both went for the front but not without an argument from Badlands Love (Jim McNeight). When the dust settled, Ugly Betty took her regular spot on top in :28 flat putting Eyemajet in the pocket. The field then stayed in single file to the half in :58.4 before the outer flow began.
Past five-eights, Country Delight (Jack Flanigen) pulled first-over and enticed Mach it A Par (John Cummings Jr.) to leave last place and follow. At that point, Ugly Betty picked up the pace and widened her leader's gap to two-lengths at the 1:28.1 three-quarter pole. When Country Delight stalled, Cummings Jr. swung Mach It A Par three-wide and paced by everyone to win by a length in 1:56.2. The mare hoofed her last quarter in :27.2 over a track rated as “good."
It was the ninth win in 16 starts this year for Mach It A Par ($3.60) including five in a row and seven out of her last eight. The 5-year-old daughter of Mach Three has now amassed $60,090 in 2015 earnings for owner Dan Clements. The winner is trained by Renaldo Morales III.
Drivers John Cummings Jr. and Drew Monti both scored driving triples on the night with Ray Fisher Jr. nabbing a double.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday night with post time at 6:35.
