by Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Aussie invader Miss Irish Rose A, who was privately purchased from down under on Aug. 23 by Larry Stalbaum, made her North American debut a winning one by taking the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 27) as heavy downpours moved through the area.

Paul White photo

Miss Irish Rose A was a 1:54.2 winner on Wednesday.

From the start, Machin Marley (Kevin Cummings) and Squeeze This (Jim Morrill Jr.) argued vehemently for the lead over the rain-soaked track and pushed the quarter to :28. Machin Marley settled on the front around the second bend and proceeded to take the race to the half in :58. At that station the race became a two-tiered event with Who Says That (Ray Fisher Jr.), Classy Lane Rose (Drew Monti) and Miss Irish Rose A (Larry Stalbaum) advancing in the outer flow.

With three-in and three-out, there was a lot of action up the backside as Who Says That took the lead from Machin Marley for an eighth of a mile before Classy Lane Rose wrestled it from her at the three-quarter pole in 1:25.4.

But Miss Irish Rose A was still on the attack and drew alongside the latest leader around the final turn, and then took a slight advantage at the head of the stretch. It was Rose versus Rose as they headed for the finish, Classy Lane inside and Miss Irish outside. But despite a good fight, Miss Irish Rose A pulled away from her formidable foe about 10 yards from the wire and won by a length in 1:54.2.

The tenth lifetime win for Miss Irish Rose A ($3.00) was not only her first in the northern hemisphere, it was also a lifetime mark for the 5-year-old daughter of McArdle. Kim Asher trains the winner.

In the $8,000 Mares Open II Pace, Voltina (Kevin Cummings) abandoned her normal front-running posture in lieu of a two-hole trip to victory behind Mean Pauline (Shawn McDonough) courtesy of the passing lane in 1:56.1. Voltina ($7.10) is owned by CHS Racing LLC and is trained by Tony Cummings.

Kevin Cummings had the driving hat trick on Wednesday while Drew Monti, Larry Stalbaum and Ray Fisher Jr. each had two wins apiece. Trainer Kim Asher also sent two from her stable to the winner’s enclosure.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 29) with post time at 6 p.m.