(Photo of Joey Pro with driver John Cummings Jr.)
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
After stringing three straight wins at the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono prior to finishing sixth chasing a 1:52.3 mile last week, Joey Pro ventured north to Batavia Downs and ran away with the $12,500 Open I Handicap trot on Friday night (Oct. 18).
BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) rushed off the gate for the lead and looked like he would go unchallenged for a while. But Joey Pro (John Cummings Jr.) who was now third, was quickly pulled and brushed to the front in a :28 first quarter and then opened up a gapped 2-½ length lead rounding the second bend. The chasing field stayed in single file trying to keep up with Joey Pro who went to the half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:25.3.
Joey Pro was 3-½ lengths on top heading into the last turn and the only horse with a shot was Wheels A Turning (Denny Bucceri) who had distinguished himself from the trailing pack and continued his chase down the lane. But the best he would do this night was second as Joey Pro was the best in here and won by 2-¼ lengths in 1:56.1.
It was the 12th win of the year for Joey Pro ($4.80) who has now banked $66,330 for owner Mark Wamp. John Hallett trains the winner.
In the $11,000 Open II trot, Keystone Apache (Billy Davis Jr.) dropped down for the top class and toured the facility on the point from gate to wire and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.2. Keystone Apache ($12.40) snared his ninth win of the season for owner Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Jack Rice and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice trains the winner.
John Cumming Jr. and BIlly Davis Jr. both had driving triples on Friday. Trainer Dave Russo led all conditioners with two victories.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Oct. 19) at 6 o'clock.
