Batavia, NY — Driver Drew Monti and trainer Maria Rice teamed up to capture the top two feature races at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 9) evening with Melanion N and Lip Reader A and both winners got across in contrasting styles.
First, Melanion N went his best mile of the year as he won the $13,500 Open Handicap pace in gate to wire fashion.
Monti put Melanion N on the point from a pole position start and was never headed from there. After early fractions of :27.4 and :57.3, Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.) made a first-over move and got to within a length of Melanion N at three-quarters in what was a swift :27.4 panel. But that would be as close as he would get as Melanion N started to pull away in the last turn and then opened up by 2-½ as he won handily in 1:53.2.
It was the fourth win of the year for the heavily-backed Melanion N ($2.90) who is owned by Dr. Michael Miller.
Then in the $12,500 Open II, Lip Reader A went from worst to first on the strength of a thrilling stretch drive.
Lip Reader A got away eight and last as Fantome En Joie (Jim McNeight Jr.) and Stranger Things (Kevin Cummings) argued for the lead for over a quarter mile. Stranger Things eventually took the group to the half in :56.2 before Part Time Affair (Kyle Swift) moved first-over into contention. The top two battled to three-quarters, where Lip Reader A was still eight lengths away and last, but moving outside with cover. When the race reached the top of the stretch, it looked like Stranger Things started to pull away. But Lip Reader A was flying down the middle of the track and passed the entire field to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.4.
Lip Reader A ($7.10) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing.
Monti and Jim Morrill Jr. led all drivers on Saturday after each scored a hat trick while trainer Brandon Presto was the top conditioner after four members of his stable visited the winner’s enclosure.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 13) with post time at 6 p.m. 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 Stream on YouTube.