by Todd Haight, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Jennifer Mann’s Fleeing The Scene took the passing lane to victory in the $9,000 featured Open II Pace on Saturday night (September 22) at Batavia Downs Gaming.

Leaving from post 5, Fleeing The Scene, with reinsman Tom Agosti, reached the front past the quarter that was up in :28 seconds, but that lead was short lived as Scudder and Ken Holliday were back out to retake the top as the field rounded the paddock turn the first time.

Scudder remained in front, going fractions of :57.3 and 1:27, but his lead had evaporated as Diamond Session and John Cummings, Jr. were up to challenge for the top spot as the field made their final swing. While all this was going on, Fleeing The Scene, a son of Jate Lobell, was working out a textbook two-hole trip.

As the Open pacers came down the lane it was the pocket rocket, Fleeing The Scene, who got up in the final strides to score by a neck in 1:55.1 over a game Scudder, with Diamond Session rounding out the trifecta.

The win was Fleeing The Scene’s eighth of the year and it raised his seasonal earnings to over $53,000. Angelo Nappo is the trainer of Fleeing The Scene, who returned $13.80 to win.

Jack Flanigen watch underway

When Jack Flanigen took the second race in wire-to-wire fashion with Aaron Verheyn’s The Swami, the win inched the veteran reinsman closer to career win number 3,000. He is now just 10 wins away.

New post time on Wednesday night

Racing fans are reminded that beginning on Wednesday night, September 26, first race post time will move up 30 minutes to 7:05 p.m. The change will remain in effect for the balance of the 2007 racing season. Batavia Downs is currently racing three nights a week, every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Pick-6 Jackpot now $800

The Pick-6 contest resumes on Wednesday night with the carryover jackpot now $800. The contest is free to all players club members. Sign up begins at 6:00 p.m. at Players Club. Any players club member that correctly selects the winners of races four through nine takes home the jackpot.

In addition to live harness racing, Batavia Downs Gaming offers the best of simulcast action, Wednesday through Sunday, fine food in the clubhouse, and video gaming. The gaming floor, which features 591 video gaming terminals, is open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight from Sunday through Thursday and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information check out www.bataviadownsgaming.com.