Bouncing back from his outstanding debut at Batavia Downs last week, Rebellious was strong on the point to take his second straight win in Genesee County and fourth consecutive win overall winning the $15,000 Open I Handicap Pace on Saturday night (Oct. 8).
Jim Morrill Jr. got caught three wide with Rebellious rushing for the front, but finally got the lead from Ideal Artillery past the :26.4 quarter. The odd-man out in that early dust-up was Issac, who got caught parked from there until he faded at the five-eighths pole. It was also there that Rebellious and Ideal Artillery broke away from the field by three lengths heading towards three-quarters. Positions remained the same around the last turn until Ideal Artillery tipped at the head of the lane. Racing under heavy urging, Ideal Artillery gained some ground on the leader but Rebellious was just too good and would not be denied as he won by a half length in 1:53.3.
With his 11th win of the year, Rebellious pushed his earnings to $94,058 for owners Joel Warner and Mike Deters, who also trains the $4.40 winner.
Morrill ended the night with two wins in the bike.
The $14,000 Open II Handicap Pace was an equally exciting event where Stranger Things dropped out of the top class to score a decisive four-length victory.
Brave World called the shots early but got pressure before the half from Sanatana Beach, who pulled first up and had Stranger Things following him one out and one back. Santana Beach reached his limit halfway up the backside and that's where Cummings went three deep with Stranger Things, and he exploded during the move. Stranger Things crossed over before the turn, opened 2-3/4 lengths while in it and then ran off the screen in the stretch, winning in 1:55.
Stranger Things got his ninth win of 2022 and went over $200,000 lifetime as a result, now showing $206,626 on his card. Virginia Schoeffel, Kathy Schoeffle and James Reuther own the Angello Nappo-trained gelding. Kevin Cummings drove the $2.60 winner.
Kyle Cummings was the leading driver on Saturday, scoring a natural hat trick in races one, three and four (he did not drive in race two). And for the second straight night, 10 different trainers won one race apiece.
When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 12) there will be two carryovers and one guaranteed pool. The first $1,392 carryover will be in the first race for the Pick-5 wager and the pool will be guaranteed at $5,000 through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. Free program pages for races one through five on Wednesday will be available at ustrotting.com starting Sunday (Oct. 9). The second $184 carryover will be in Race 13 for the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta wager.
Post time for the first race is at 6 p.m. (EDT).
(Batavia Downs)