Batavia, NY —  After not hitting the board in his last two starts, Art Scene showed up and was much the best in the $12,300 Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 11).

Art Scene made short work of her foes in the $12,300 feature on Saturday at Batavia. Paul White Photo.

Jim Morrill Jr. sent Art Scene to the front and kept the pedal to the metal the entire mile. After a :27 quarter and :56 half with Sunfirewindrain (James McNeight Jr.) drafting second, Crockets Cullen N (Larry Stalbaum) came first-up to join the action. The two pursuers kept close to three quarters, but Art Scene ended that in the last turn. Morrill let him out a notch, and Art Scene opened up a gapped advantage. Turning for home, Art Scene was on cruise control and flew to the line ahead by 3-1/2 in a season’s best 1:53.3.

Owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock and trained by Maria Rice, Art Scene ($14.20) captured his 15th-lifetime win and drew nearer to the half-million-dollar mark lifetime with $482,123 now on his card.

Daylight Rush (Dave McNeight III) made it two in a row after brushing late to take the co-featured $11,000 Open II Handicap Pace.

Plainridge Park transplant Foo Fighter N (Kevin Cummings) took command of the race and posted a quick :26.3 quarter. He continued to lead into the final turn, where the pocket-sitting Daylight Rush tipped with authority. McNeight let out some line, and Daylight Rush took full advantage of the opportunity, pacing clear by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:53.4.

It was the seventh win of the year for Daylight Rush ($6.50), who currently has $52,364 in the bank this year for owner/trainer Cassandra Johnson.

Several horse people had multi-win nights on Saturday. Drivers Dave McNeight III, Drew Monti, Jim Morrill Jr. and Larry Stalbaum had two wins apiece as did trainer Jennifer Giuliani.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 15), with post time for the first race at 5:00 p.m. There will be two small carryovers featured. The Jackpot Pick-6 has a carryover of $725 and the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta has a carryover of $491.