After winning three consecutive Open paces at Yonkers over the summer, Rocknroll Runa A had been in a bit of a slump in his last four outings, only hitting the board once. That all changed at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 30) when he took advantage of a perfect trip and posted a convincing victory in the featured $15,000 Open Handicap Pace.
Larry Stalbaum led the field with Rocknroll Runa A at the quarter after completing a snappy :27.4 sprint. But Mirragon A (Jim Morrill Jr.) was not content to follow this leader and blasted to the front in turn two. Mirragon A and Rocknroll Runa A were a tight one-two to the half in :56 and by three-quarters, started to separate from the field. Halfway through the last turn, Stalbaum tipped Rocknroll Runa A from the pocket and started gaining on Mirragon A. When they straightened for home, Rocknroll Runa A exploded to the line and won handily by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:51.2.
It was the eighth win of the year for Rocknroll Runa A ($7.60), owned and trained by Stalbaum. The lion's share of the purse pushed his seasonal earnings to $173,014.
The $13,000 Open II Handicap Pace produced an equally impressive mile after Big Chic Magnet (Kyle Cummings) made a substantial class jump from his previous two outings at Northfield pay off. Cummings sat in second with Big Chic Magnet behind Ideal Artillery (James McNeight Jr.) from the start of the race until mid-stretch, where Big Chic Magnet moved into the two-path and out-sprinted Ideal Artillery to the line by a length in 1:52.4.
It was the third straight win and fourth of the year for Big Chic Magnet ($8.70), owned by EVM Racing and Rodney Long. David Russo was the winning trainer.
Kyle Cummings ended the day with three driving wins, as did Drew Monti. Trainers Chris Petrelli, Tammy Cummings, Larry Stalbaum and David Russo all scored two wins apiece.
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. and there will be a $2,143 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.
(With files from Batavia Downs)