By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Frequent flyer miles between the Red Mile, Plainridge Park and Batavia Downs have certainly kept driver Drew Monti sharp as a tack. Currently sitting sixth, fourth and eighth in the driver standings at those respective tracks, Monti has been on a tear since returning to Batavia and over the last five days has posted a Universal Driver Rating (UDR) of .440.
On Wednesday (Sept. 25) Monti added to those numbers by winning five races on the card including the weekly distaff feature with the red hot HP Sissy.
HP Sissy’s initials may very well stand for “high powered” because she certainly has a huge engine and showed it off for the second week in a row by dominating the best mares on the grounds while winning the $12,500 Open I Handicap for distaff pacers at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening.
HP Sissy (Drew Monti) was deliberate off the gate, going three-deep to the quarter to out-leave Little Joke (Billy Davis Jr.) and Sarah Cola (Mike Caprio). After seating at the first split in :27.2, Monti reined-in the leader and backed off the half to :56.3.
The race proceeded on the second circuit and HP Sissy continued to pace under a strong hold with Little Joke tracking from second. After hitting three-quarters in 1:25 Monti let his mare out a notch and HP Sissy switched into glide and opened up a two length advantage while scooting home in :28.4 to win in 1:53.4.
Notching her 11th win of the year, HP Sissy ($3.70) has now earned $91,343 for owner Finocchario’s Dream Stable and trainer Mike Ohol.
Monti completed his piloting pentafecta by winning with Rock N Roll Rosie (1:56.3, $6), Media Queen N (1:54.2, $5), Cracked Glass (1:58.1, $7.70) and Snapshot Springs (1:58.2, $2.40). Adding in a second and two thirds, Monti’s UDR for the night was .479.
The $11,000 Open II pace for fillies and mares went to Badlands Delight (Ray Fisher Jr.) who took the lead by the quarter, cut quick fractions of :28.1, :57.3 and 1:26.1 before holding off a late closing Carly Girl (Drew Monti) to win by two-lengths in 1:54.4. Badlands Delight ($9.60) is owned by Sam Smith and is trained by Gerry Sarama.
Driver Dave McNeight III had a good night as well, winning three races on Wednesday.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 27) with post time set at 6 p.m.
