Shallow Takes Second Straight Batavia Distaff Open

Batavia, NY — Since shipping in from Saratoga Raceway, Shallow has taken her spot at the top of mare’s colony at Batavia Downs after winning her second consecutive $15,000 Open I Handicap on Wednesday evening (Aug. 24).

Dashintothebeach N (Luke Hanners) took an early lead heading to the quarter but Ray Fisher Jr. sent Shallow out early from third to grab the front at that station in :27.3. After crossing over she then slowed the pace to a tepid :30 second quarter before Tuapeka Jessie N (Jim Morrill Jr.) came first up in the breeze.

Heading up the backside, Shallow maintained an easy lead with Dashintothebeach N in the pocket, and Tuapeka Jessie N and Shadow One (Kevin Cummings) on the outside chasing. Heading into the last turn, those challenges fell short as Shallow extended her lead to two lengths around the bend. When she turned for home, Shallow paced away from the field on her own volition to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:55.

It was a career best ninth win of the year for Shallow ($5.30) who now has $73,916 earned for owner Room4040 Stables. Andy Gardner trains the winner.

Then in the $14,000 fillies and mares Open II Handicap, Canadian invader Saulsbrook Olympia (Dave McNieght III) grabbed the front and put on quite a show. With How About Murph (Kyle Cummings) and Sapphire Love Chip (Kevin Cummings) right behind trying to keep pace, Saulsbrook Olympia got to the half in :58.1 and then turned on the jets. She paced back to back quarters of :28.2 and :28.1 while opening up a 3-1/4 length advantage at the line where she won in 1:54.4.

It was the second straight win at Batavia and third consecutive win going back to her impressive 1:50.3 outing at Woodbine Mohawk Park for Saulsbrook Olympia ($5.10) who is owned by William McNeil and Edward Gorc. Jennifer Giuliani trains the fast mare.

Kevin Cummings was the leading driver of the night with three wins on the card and his third win came with the venerable 14-year-old Freaky Flyer. The Freak turned his 450th lifetime start into his 62nd career victory and pushed his total earnings to $370,549. Freaky Flyer ($12.00) is owned and trained by Rose Russo.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs with a special card on Friday night (Aug. 26) featuring New York Sire Stakes 3-year-old colt and filly trotters who will compete for $232,700 in purses and the 17th edition of Batavia Downs signature stake, the $75,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial pace. Post time for the first race is at 6:00 p.m.

Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the “Live Racing” tab

By Tim Bojarski for Batavia Downs