Batavia, NY – Pacing home like a bolt of lightning, Summer Slash got all the cash in the $12,500 Distaff Open I-II featured pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 1) evening.
Summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) got away fifth as Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings) went down the road with the six-horse field in single file form behind her. The mare cut quarters of :28 and :57.1 before Tres Chic Bluechip (Kevin Cummings) and Gia’s Surreal (Drew Monti) started to advance in the outer flow, leaving Summer Slash now last in the breeze.
The girls passed three-quarters in two rows and when they got halfway through the last turn, Gia’s Surreal tipped three-deep around the stalled Tres Chic Bluechip and Summer Slash was right on her back, but still sixth and last. Won Surreal Deal took her 1-½ length lead into the stretch, looking like a winner. But Summer Slash had other ideas, as she outpaced the entire field to win by a head in a four-horse photo in her seasonal best time of 1:55 flat.
It was the fifth win of the year for Summer Slash ($9.96) who is owned by Ilovemyharnesshorsesummer and trained by Ryan Swift.
Later in the $8,800 mid-level conditioned pace for fillies and mares, Elegant Woman N (Drew Monti) took no prisoners as she took a quick lead and marched through quarters of :27.3 and :56.3 while parking Abuelita Hanover (Ray Fisher Jr.) every step of the way. When Abuelita Hanover tired at five-eighths, Elegant Woman N got to work after Monti asked for more and opened up a 1-¾ length lead at three-quarters and maintained it through the turn as Rightfully Mine (Kyle Swift) tried to make up ground in chase. When they turned for home, Elegant Woman N remained resolute and scored easily in 1:54.3, matching her lifetime mark.
Elegant Woman N ($5.44) is owned by her driver, Monti, in partnership with Vogel and Wags Nags, Jack Rice and Maria Rice, who also trains the winner.
Elegant Woman N was only one of four winners Monti drove on Wednesday. He also won with Medeena (1:58.4, $16.74), along with Governor JK (1:55.3, $5.60) and Beyond The Hill (2:01, $6.80) who are both trained by Rachelle Mungillo, that also sent Miss Rockadali (1:57.4, $18.90) to the winner’s enclosure to complete her training triple.
There was a huge payout in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race. The single unique combination of 6-3-5-1-4 returned $6,000.28 for the 20-cent wager.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 3) with post time at 6 p.m.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at The Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab. Then you can watch all the races live as they happen for free on the Batavia Downs YouTube page.