by Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Batavia, NY — Despite consistent performancesmost of the summer, V’la Faire was lightly regarded and sent off at 5-1 whenthe windows closed. But she made a believer of those who backed her as she camefrom off the pace to beat three others by a nose in the $9,500 mares Open paceat Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 27).

Princess Katie (Ray Fisher Jr.) left for the leadand got it by the quarter. From there, Fisher grabbed leather as he dictated anuncontested pace and got the field to three-quarters in a stodgy 1:30. Theaction started there when V’la Faire (Wade Tomaszewski) pulled first-over withWanna Rock N Roll (Todd Cummings) on her back.

When they hit the top of the lane, Ugly Betty(Kevin Cummings) slid-out around Princess Katie and V’la Faire and Wanna Rock NRoll fanned three and four deep. The cavalry then charged to the wire with V’laFaire getting the nod by a head in 2:00.1.

It was the third win of the season for V’la Faire($13.40) and it pushed her bankroll to $24,169 for 2016. The 9-year-olddaughter of Village Jove-Trade Fair is owned by Oakhurst Farms and trained byRichard Tomaszewski.

In the $8,000 co-featured mares Open II, Mach ThisWay (Todd Cummings) got away first in the short field of five and never yieldedthe lead. After leading the group through fractions of :28.1, :59.2 and 1:29.1,Mach This Way held off a mid-race challenge from Kaitlyn Akeeper (Dave McNeightIII) and a late-race rush from Taboo Seelster (Shawn McDonough) to win by adecisive two-lengths in 2:00.

Mach This Way ($3.50) is owned by William Emmonsand trained by JD Perrin.

Todd Cummings won four races on the card while DrewMonti had a double. On the conditioning side, Leonard Segall and JD Perrin bothsent two horses to the winner’s enclosure.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday night(July 29) at 6:15 p.m.