Batavia, NY — Saratoga shippers have been a major factor at Batavia Downs this meet, and that trend continued on Sunday (Aug. 2) afternoon when Larry Stalbaum, aka The Bomber, rolled in with a pair of his stable stars and left with the lion’s share of the purse after winning both $13,500 Opens as the heavily-bet favorite.
First in the Open pace, Rocknroll Runa A made his first start since March, and turned it into his third win of the year after pacing gate to wire without a challenge.
Stalbaum was on top in two steps with Rocknroll Runa A, who then settled in and tripped the timer in :28.1, :56.4 and 1:25 to three-quarters, while maintaining a gapped length advantage and encountering no challenges from behind. As the race moved through turn four, Rocknroll Runa A started to separate from the group under a line drive from Stalbaum. When the race turned for home the field was stacked up behind Rocknroll Runa A, who paced away with ease to score a 2-3/4 length victory in 1:53.3.
Rocknroll Runa A ($3.26) is owned and trained by Stalbaum.
In the Open Handicap trot, Makeorbreakzaz S made a break and had broken equipment past the quarter, but overcame that miscue to win anyhow with a stellar stretch drive.
Makeorbreakzaz S got away a gapped sixth as several horses vehemently argued for the lead. Dougadougadew (Kylle Cummings) forced Shine All The Way (Dave McNeight III) into the pocket before Crazy Ritz (Jimmy McNeight Jr.) pulled from third to address Dougadougadew and take the lead at the quarter in :27.1, before heading into turn two. That’s where Makeorbreakzaz S broke and looked hopelessly out of it at the top of the stretch, as the field headed to the half.
Crazy Ritz continued to lead passing the stands but gave up control to Shine All The Way in the clubhouse turn, while Makeorbreakzaz S finally caught the pack and was moving three-deep around fading horses. Shine All The Way reached three-quarters in 1:25.3 with Makeorbreakzaz S now third and closing furiously. With his lead now diminished to only four lengths, Shine All The Way turned for home but was under siege from Makeorbreakzaz S, who reeled him in just before the line and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.4.
Makeorbreakzaz S ($2.88) is trained and owned by Stalbaum, in partnership with Eric Prevost.
Drew Monti performed large in the bike on Sunday, getting a grand slam during the program. Monti won with Twist Knot (1:55.4, $2.92), Shoobee Doo A (1:53, $4.58), Pinebushdragonlife (1:53.2, $3.70) and Connor B (1:56, $2.74), to round out the quartet. Monti is currently the leading dash driver at the meet with a total of 18 wins at the close of business Sunday.
Trainers Jeniffer Petrelli, Sam Smith and Stalbaum all won two races apiece.
Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 5) at 5 p.m. and there will be a $2,948 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the 13th race.
There was another carryover after Sunday’s card and that was $985 in the Pick-5. As a result, there will also be a $3,000 Guaranteed Pool for that wager on Wednesday (Aug. 5) as well, in conjunction with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. The Pick-5 wager starts in Race 1.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia Downs can always be downloaded at the track’s website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab. And you can watch all the races live as they happen for free on the Batavia Downs YouTube page.