Art Scene on full display at Batavia

Batavia, NY — In what has proven to be an excellent acquisition for his new connections, Art Scene won his second straight $11,200 Open I Handicap harness racing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Aug. 7).

Getting away last in the scratch-shortened field of five, Art Scene (Jim Morrill, Jr.) watched as Thor De Vie (Jim McNeight Jr.) and Stranger Things (Kyle Cummings) sq

uared off in a front-end speed duel from the quarter to the half and then past the five-eighths. That is where Stranger Things tired and Daylight Rush (Dave McNeght III) tipped three deep around with Art Scene following on his back.

Then at the top of the stretch Art Scene tipped off Daylight Rush cover and paced away under a line drive from Morrill to win by 1-½ lengths in 1:54.2.

Art Scene ($4.80) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock who claimed the 7-year-old gelding for $25,000 at Yonkers Raceway on June

14 and have since had two wins and a second out of three starts. Maria Rice trains the winner.

ART SCENE REPLAY

In the $10,000 undercard Open II, Reggiano (Dave McNeight III) got away third off the gate but pulled early and took the lead before the quarter. He continued to lead without a challenge past the :56.1 half and to three-quarters where American Zest A (Ray Fisher, Jr) rolled up the outside and toward the leader, moving into second

in the last turn.

When they straightened out for home, Reggiano looked clear but McSpidey (Kyle Cummings) was flying late from mid-pack and was closing fast. The two horses hit the wire a neck apart with Reggiano getting the nod in 1:53.3.
Reggiano ($7.70) is owned and trained by Marc Shuttleworth.

REGGIANO REPLAY

Drivers Shawn McDonough, Denny Bucceri and Dave McNeight III both had two wins on Saturday while trainer Chris Naedele joined them with two of his own.

When racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 8) there will be a guaranteed Pick-5 pool of $5,000 that includes a $1,602 carryover. The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages will be available courtesy of Trackmaster on the USTA’s website on Sunday. The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five.

Also on Sunday there is a $733 carryover in the Jackpot Pick-6 in the fifth race and a $912 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 in the 10th race.

Post time for the first race is at 1:15 p.m.

For full race results, click here.

by Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs