from harness publicists across North America

Friday’s (Oct. 23) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Batavia Downs and Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Write That Down scores a breathtaking win in Batavia Downs feature

Batavia, NY — In what could only be described as an unbelievable display of relentless heart by a racehorse that was managed by a masterful drive, Write That Down, under the guidance of Shawn McDonough, won the $7,700 Open II trotting feature at Batavia Downs on Friday night.

Paul White photo

Write That Down was a 1:58.2 winner in the Batavia feature.

Tequila Haze (Jim McNeight) and Justgottogetthere (Ron Beback Jr.) both left for the lead with the latter getting it by the quarter. Then the field stayed seated past three-eighths before an outer flow began. Write That Down, who was lightly regarded by the betting public, was sitting last at the half in :58.3.

After the group rounded turn three, Serious George (Jack Flanigen) tipped three-high around three horses parked out, and started to gain momentum up the backside. This left Write That Down in an impossible spot — last behind a wall of horses that at this point were going nowhere.

As they headed into the last bend, Serious George cleared and took command of the race while mid-pack hangers Iain’tnomamaluke (Denny Bucceri) and Leave Your Mark (Kevin Cummings) both packed it in. Their demise gave Write That Down just enough room to finally pull off the pylons and swing four-wide at the top of the stretch.

From there McDonough had Write That Down trotting out of his shoes as they flew down the stretch. McDonough seemed to have Serious George measured as Write That Down got by him just before the wire to win in 1:58.2.

This was the sixth victory of the season for Write That Down ($19.20) and the second win in three Batavia Downs starts this year. The 4-year-old Crazed gelding has now earned $38,892 in 2015 for owners Scott Beecher and Daniel Seidberg. Jeff Sorenson trains Write That Down.

John Cummings Jr. had a driving grand slam on Friday, while Kevin Cummings, Jim McNeight and Ray Fisher Jr. all registered doubles. Trainers JD Perrin and Carl Smith also sent two winners each to post.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 24) with post time set for 6:15 p.m.

— Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Ella V Horse (Royal Mattjesty) scored a front-running victory in Friday’s $18,000 Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The Andy Sardella-trained mare won the feature for distaffers last month but in just her second try in the Open dug in to prevail on Friday with Stephane Bouchard in the sulky. The 8-year-old mare has done her best work on the front end lately and posted first half fractions of :27 and :56.1 before pacing a :56.4 back half en route to a score in 1:53. The race’s favorite Carolsideal (Billy Dobson) came charging hard late to be second while West Liberty (Jason Ryan) toughed it out following a first over journey to be third. Ella V Horse, who went over the $200,000 mark in career earnings with the victory, returned $8.10 to win and led an exacta and triple that paid $34.60 and $216, respectively. The win was one of four on the card for Bouchard. Live racing continues on Saturday night at Saratoga with first post time set for 6:45 p.m.