In Runaway Bay rides the storm out

Batavia, NY—Blustery winds driving a hard rain made the harness racing track conditions at Batavia Downs less than desirable on Saturday night (Nov. 18), but In Runaway Bay embraced the mailman's philosophy to win the $10,000 Open Handicap pacing feature at the venerable Genesee County oval.

In Runaway Bay (Kevin Cummings) took the lead from post five as soon as the gate released the field and when everyone else went to the pylons, single file was the pacing order through splits of :29, :58.3 and 1:28. Just before that last station, Focus Power (Drew Monti) who had gotten away last, swung three-deep around mid-pack stalling horses and powered up into the mix before the race entered the last turn.

From there In Runaway Bay held off Focus Power and Show Stopping (John Cummings Jr.) who had been in the pocket the entire trip, around the fourth bend and into the stretch; neither could gain any ground on him. And the same held true all the way to the wire. In Runaway Bay was strong under urging and paced home sharply to win by a length in 1:57.

It was the eighth win of the year for In Runaway Bay ($4.00) who has now made $44,360 for owner Super Mile LLC and trainer Angelo Nappo.

In the $9,000 Open II pace, Littlebitaclass (Drew Monti) got away sixth before coming third-over in the outer flow and eventually found himself back at the rail third at the seven-eighths pole where he then shot up the passing lane and ran-down the leading Hardts Or Bettor (Ray Fisher Jr.) to win by a length in 1:57.

Owned and trained by Tessa Roland, Littlebitaclass ($5.90) captured his seventh win of the year and eclipsed the $60,000 mark in earnings, now with $61,034.

All the leading drivers registered victories on Saturday. Larry Stalbaum and Drew Monti both had three wins while Ray Fisher Jr. had two and Kevin Cummings one. The leader board at the end of the week now reads Stalbaum 109, Monti 107, Fisher 105 and Cummings 89.

There was no Pick-5 winner again on Saturday so there is a $7,270 carryover to Wednesday's card and Batavia Downs will once again be a part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program with a guaranteed $12,500 pool on the early Pick-5 wager. Free program pages courtesy of Trackmaster will be available at handicapping.ustrotting.com starting on Monday.

Racing resumes on Wednesday (Nov. 22) with post time at 5 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs