Batavia, NY – The best pacers and trotters on the grounds lined up in two $12,800 Open events at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 13) night, where one winner was heavily backed by the public and the other upset the chalk bettors.
The pacers lined up first in the handicapped race and Davey Day Trader rang the bell and took his market share.
Leaving from post one, Davey Day Trader (Dave McNeight III) took an instant lead and never relinquished that position. After getting to the half in a mild :58.2, Davey Day Trader was met by Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.), who was outside and driving to three-quarters. Villiam kept pressing Davey Day Trader around turn four and into the stretch, but Davey Day Trader held him at bay and forged ahead to a 1-1/4 length victory in 1:54.3.
It was the eighth win of the year and 20th of his career for Davey Day Trader ($3.86), who is owned by James Costa and Peter Kibler and trained by Dave McNeight Jr.
Then in the trot, Treasured Tee enjoyed a garden spot trip to an easy victory in the end.
Treasured Tee (Drew Monti) left for the lead from post five but opted to draft second behind Makes Me Charlie (Kevin Cummings), who left from post seven and was forwardly placed by the swift :27.4 quarter. With the field now settled, Makes Me Charlie still didn’t get a break as Famous Dan (Jim Morrill Jr.) was parked out in the breeze and pressuring the leader to the half.
As the race passed five-eighths, Famous Dan tired, but then Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) pulled from third and momentarily entered the fray. But in the last turn, Biscoe stalled and Treasured Tee came off the pegs and darted forward. Treasured Tee overtook Makes Me Charlie while holding off a now rejuvenated Biscoe in deep stretch to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:56.4.
It was the ninth win of the year for Treasured Tee ($12.50), who is owned by his driver, Drew Monti, and trained by Darrin Monti.
Drew Monti finished as Saturday’s top driver, winning three on the card, while Sam Smith was the leading trainer with two tallies of his own.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 17) 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. Then you can watch all the races live as they happen for free on the Batavia Downs YouTube page.