by Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Batavia, NY — Sportsmuffler has not missed theboard in the weekly distaff pacing feature since the start of the meet andWednesday (Aug. 23) was no exception as she scored her second win in the $9,000Fillies and Mares Open pace at Batavia Downs.

Voltina (Kevin Cummings) and Exotic Beach (LarryStalbaum) slugged it out for the lead through the first quarter mile withVoltina gaining the advantage at that station in :27.2. With Exotic Beach’snose right on Cummings helmet and the rest of the field strung-out behind her,Voltina rolled to the half in :56.1 with no one looking to pull.

Paul White photo

Sportsmuffler scored her second win in the $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open pace at Batavia Downs.

At the three-eighths pole Sarah Cola (Drew Monti)came first-up and advanced towards the leader with Sportsmuffler (Jim MorrillJr.) on her tail. Cummings popped the plugs on Voltina as Sarah Cola sidled herand the two paced as one around the far turn. At the head of the stretch SarahCola took the lead as Voltina faded, but Sportsmuffler tipped three-deep aroundher and started driving down the lane. With heavy urging from Monti, Sarah Colagave all she could but Sportsmuffler shuffled right on by to win by a length in1:55.3.

It was the seventh win in 30 starts this year forSportsmuffler ($5.10) and it raised her 2017 earnings to$38,244 for the LavRacing Stable Inc. The 5-year-old daughter of Sportsmaster is trained by SteveKiblin.

In the co-featured $8,000 Fillies and Mares Open IIpace, Squeeze This (Jim Morrill Jr.) made quick and easy work of the fieldgoing from gate to wire while the competition scrambled behind her, winning bya length in 1:56.1. It was the fourth win of the year for Squeeze This ($5.10)but her first of the current Batavia meet. The winner is owned by Garth Bechteland is trained by Jim Graham.

Jim Morrill Jr. did his best to tighten up thedriving derby at the Downs by winning five races on the card Wednesday. Hescored with Sportsmuffler (1:55.3, $5.10), Alexa’s Hope (1:58, $3.50), SqueezeThis (1:56.1, $5.10), Roll With Sparky (1:57.3, $2.70) and Mystical Danica(1:58, $4.10).

Drew Monti also had a driving double while trainersSteve Kiblin scored three wins and Jim Graham captured two.

When the lights went down after Wednesday’s card,Drew Monti holds the dash driving lead for the meet with 33 wins, Ray FisherJr. is second with 29 and Jim Morrill Jr. is third with 25.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday(Aug. 25) with post time for the first race set a 6 p.m.