Down-under mares dominate

Batavia, NY — The southern hemisphere was well represented at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 30) night as a pair of expatriate harness racing mares took the top two paces on the card with relative ease.

After navigating a lot of traffic early, Waitforever N took control of the race and possession of the purse after winning the $13,500 Open Distaff pacing feature.

There were two early lead changes as the race progressed to the quarter before Waitforever N (Jim Morrill Jr.) finally crossed-over to the front in :28.1. With the field motoring in single file, Waitforever N marched to the half in :57.3 and then moved around the third turn unabated before Gia’s Surreal (Dave McNeight III) came first-over into contention as they motored up the backstretch.

Gia’s Surreal continued to apply the pressure on the outside passing three-quarters in 1:27.1, but Waitforever N seemed unfazed as she held her full length advantage around the last turn with her sights set on the stretch. As they turned for home, Gia’s Surreal’s bid failed and Waitforever N only had to hold off the pocket-sitting Alabama Hannah (Joe Chindano Jr.) to claim victory by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.3.

WAITFOREVER N REPLAY

It was the fourth win in the last five starts for Waitforever N ($6.10) who is owned by Stephen Picarazzi, Darreyl Bullard and her trainer Brett Derue.

In the undercard $11,700 conditioned pace for fillies and mares, Forgot Thewallet A (Joe Chindano Jr.) took the lead from pylon position and was never headed from there.

After hitting the quarter in :28.1, Forgot Thewallet A put the short field to sleep with a very pedestrian :31.4 walk to the half before jetting home in back to back 28 flat quarters to win by two in 1:56 flat.

FORGOT THEWALLET A REPLAY

Forgot Thewallet A ($13.40) is owned by Dr. Michael Miller and Team Rice Racing and trained by Maria Rice.

Drivers Jim Morrill Jr. and Kyle Cummings both had grand slams on the card, Cummings included a natural hat trick in races three through five. Top trainers were David Weston and Brett Derue who each won two.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (July 31) with post time at 6 p.m. and will feature the New York Sire Stake 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers vying for $114,900 in purses.

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 and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Stream on YouTube.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs