Driver Joe Chindano Jr. put on a driving clinic at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 11) night by winning six races on the card.
Chindano scored with NY Hardcore (1:56.3, $5.50), Tidal Shark (1:55.4, $3.60), Pepin Coolie (2:01.2, $4.70), LA Always A Martini (1:56.2, $5.00), Pop The Bubbly (1:56.1, $3.60) and Beddenburg (1:56.3, $4.70). He also had a second and third out of his 13 drives.
The one race Chindano didn’t win was the $13,500 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap pace. That went to Oaxacan Dream N, who returned to Batavia after a successful month-long hiatus at Tioga Downs.
Dave McNeight III rushed Oaxacan Dream N off the gate and took a lead she would not relinquish. After getting to the half unchallenged in :58.1 with only Ball Diamond (Ray Fisher Jr.) tracking close from the pocket, Center Attraction (Jim McNeight Jr.) pulled first-over, but stalled shortly after making the move. That left It’s Corona Time (Joe Chindano Jr.) who followed Center Attraction to tip three-wide and draw alongside Oaxacan Dream N at three-quarters. The two mares paced in close proximity, but Oaxacan Dream N held the advantage from the top of the stretch to the line where she won by a half length in 1:55.
It was the eighth win of the year for Oaxacan Dream N ($5.30) who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags and trained by Maria Rice.
Another terrific trio on Wednesday was driver Kevin Cummings, trainer Sam Smith, and owner Mike Torcello, who combined for a hat trick. They won with Stay Safe (1:57.3, $2.50), Pray The Rosary (1:58.3, $4.20) and Louie The Lilac (1:56.1, $11.40).
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 13) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $1,892 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
