Batavia Downs hosted its final day of racing for the winter meet on Monday, with the card starting out clear and ending in a snow globe.
The day’s $13,000 featured Open I Trot was contested amidst the flying flakes where race winner Buzz (Mike Baumeister) overcame more than just the weather to claim victory.
Buzz left from post six and was three-wide in the first turn when he made a break and was taken back to last to regroup. During that time, Sanchez Rocks (Kyle Cummings) was taking care of business at the other end of the field, trotting strong on the point at the quarter in a quick :28.2. By the time the race reached the half, Inquiring Mind (Larry Stalbaum) was in the breeze first-up and Buzz was back, following his cover and on his best behaviour.
Positions remained unchanged up the backstretch and to three-quarters where Baumeister had Buzz out and winging three-deep once again. This time Buzz took the lead heading into the last turn and maintained that position in the middle of a four-wide charge at the top of the lane. As they headed towards the line, Buzz was dashing through the snow while holding off a valiant closing attempt by Captain Krupnik (Keith Kash Jr.), who came up a neck short to Buzz, a 2:01.1 winner.
The win was the third in the last four starts for Buzz ($13.20) and his owner/trainer Ron Baumeister.
In the secondary featured $12,000 conditioned pace, Pet Sur Roc (Kyle Cummings) made it two wins in a row for owner/trainer Chris Carrubba Jr. after going gate to wire to score a nose victory over Tullow N (Drew Monti) in 1:57.4. Pet Sur Roc returned $5.80 for the win.
Keith Kash Jr. led all drivers on Monday with three wins while conditioners Shawn McDonough and Mike Ohol tied for top training honours.
Live racing will return to Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 26) with a 53-date summer-fall meeting that will run through Saturday (Dec. 9).
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