Batavia, NY – Making her first start for new connections after being claimed last week, Misty Memory N moved up to the top class on the grounds and despite being overlooked by the betting public, won the $12,300 Distaff Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 3) in convincing fashion.

Misty Memory N moved up in class tonight and took the feature at Batavia Downs in 1:56.2. Paul White photo.

Misty Memory N (Ray Fisher Jr.) started from an assigned post seven and settled in last as No Where To Hide (Kevin Cummings) led uncontested to the half in :57.4. At that station, Misty Memory N left the pegs and started the long trek in the breeze without cover as they headed into turn three.

As No Where To Hide took the field up the backside, Misty Memory N made her way towards the front, methodically picking off horse after horse. By three-quarters she was second on the outside and the leader was starting to show fatigue. At the top of the stretch Misty Memory N was in full flight and paced right by the tiring No Where To Hide. She opened up 1-1/2 lengths at the light and won in 1:56.2.

In her initial outing for new owner JP Houle Stables and trainer Gaston Lareau, Misty Memory N ($18.40) won her third straight race at Batavia Downs and eighth of the year overall, increasing her 2021 earnings to $64,350.

In the $9,350 Distaff Open IV Handicap pace, HP Sissy (Jim McNeight Jr.) looked very much in form as she went gate-to-wire with authority, winning by 2-3/4 lengths in a new seasonal best 1:56.1. HP Sissy ($6.20) is owned by Finnocchario’s Dream Stable and is trained by Jim McNeight.

Finnocchario, McNeight and McNeight Jr. also hooked up earlier with Smooth Mara N ($9.00) to have a connection’s double on the card. McNeight Jr. ended his night as the top driver with three overall winning steers.

HP Sissy went gate-to-wire in the Distaff Open IV Handicap this evening at Batavia. Paul White photo.

There were two other connection’s doubles registered on Friday. First, owner Mike Torcello, trainer Gerry Sarama and driver Kevin Cummings got across Nats A Lady (1:59, $34.00) and Backyard Swagger (1:55.4, $12.80) and then trainer Tammy Cummings and driver Kyle Cummings who also own Candy’s Desire (1:57, $11.80) and Heaven’s Diva (1:56.1, $16.60).

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 4) there will be three carryovers and one big guarantee.

The Pick-5 wager in races one through five was not hit again on Friday and as a result, there is a $1,059 carryover and General Manager Todd Haight announced there will be a guaranteed $4,000 pool for that wager on Saturday. The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and free program pages for races one through five are already available on the USTA website (ustrotting.com) under the Handicapping tab, on the Batavia Downs website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the live racing tab and also on the batavia Downs Facebook page. Or get it here by clicking this link. (https://www.trackmaster.com/freeContent/usta/freeContentFiles/hpl/btv0904x.pdf)

Then in race five there is a $225 carryover for the Jackpot Pick-6 and in race 10 the Jackpot Super Hi-5 has a carryover of $1,849. Free full card past performance forms for every race night are always available for download at bataviadownsgaming.com under the live racing tab.

Post time for the first race is 5 p.m.