Batavia, NY — Despite not missing the board once over the last three months, Stop Action was released at 8-1 by the betting public. He made them regret it after winning the $15,000 Open I Handicap Pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (July 30).

Ideal Artillery (Drew Monti) maintained his pylon position and led the single-file field through splits of :27.4 and :57 while Stop Action (Kevin Cummings) sat chilly in the pocket. Shortly after that station, Just Plain Loco (Dave McNieght III) rolled first-up and pushed Ideal Artillery to a speedy :27.4 third panel.

The battle continued through the last turn, but Ideal Artillery had more ammunition and shot down Just Plain Loco’s attack. When the field straightened out for the stretch drive, Ideal Artillery looked like he was home, but Cummings dipped into the passing lane with Stop Action, chased down the leader at the wire, and won by a half length in a season’s best 1:53.1.

Stop Action surged up the pegs to upset at 8-1 in Saturday’s Open I Pace at Batavia Downs. Wendy J. Lowery photo.

It was the ninth win of the year for Stop Action ($19.00), who is owned by Super Mile and trained by Angelo Nappo.

Cummings and Nappo struck again in the $14,000 Open II Handicap pace with Stranger Things, who pulled first-over at the half, drew alongside and eventually overpowered the front-running McSpidey (Kyle Cummings), and then held off the late-closing Blue Spanx (Keith Kash Jr.) to win by a neck in 1:54.1, which was his fastest mile of the year.

James Reuther owns Stranger Things (10.60).

Cummings finished the night with a driving hat trick.

Finally, in the $13,750 Open III, Art Scene (Jim Morrill Jr.) made an early move from fifth before the half, took a lot of air chasing down the leading Black Is Back (Dave McNieght III), and then cruised to the wire on top by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:55.1.

Art Scene ($5.10) is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing, and is trained by Maria Rice.

Morrill had a grand slam to lead all reinsmen on Saturday.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday (July 31) with post time at 1:15 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website.