Batavia, NY --- It was a perfect night to enjoy the fresh air at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Aug. 28) that's what Pull The Ripcord and driver Jim McNeight did as they romped to victory in the New York County Fair Finals for 3-year-old colt pacers. It highlighted the action among the eight different divisions of the New York County Fair Finals, which each carried a purse of $10,000.
Pull The Ripcord, sent off at 1-5, got a touch of encouragement from McNeight just before the half and then easily paced away from the field of seven in 1:56. He beat Clustercuss (Doug Ackley) by nearly eight lengths.
Owned and trained by Joe Robbins, Pull The Ripcord now has won nine races in 14 lifetime starts, amassing $28,873 in earnings.
McNeight also had an enjoyable trip with the undefeated Dreamsteeler ($2.30) in the 2-year-old filly trot as she made it a perfect 10-for-10 in her career with an easy 3-3/4 length win in a career-best 2:04.1. It moved her lifetime bankroll to $15,350 for Margaret and Amy Butler.
It was a wild race to say the least in the 2-year-old filly pace, but when the dust had settled, Factor J ($16.00) and driver Cory McGivern crossed the wire first.
The race seemed to boil down to Hurrikanekeelynora (William Bailey) and Isabellas Bliss at the top of the stretch, but the pair locked wheels, eliminating them both from contention. Factor J avoided their trouble and slipped to the inside to snatch the victory in 2:02.1. Hurrikanekeelynora and Isabellas Bliss both were disqualified and placed sixth and seventh, respectively, for interference.
The 3-year-old filly pace saw A Sham Of Amber ($4.60) and Batavia Downs' leading driver Greg Merton use a late drive in the stretch and collar Divas Princess (Ray Fisher Jr.). They went the mile in 1:56.1 over the fast track.
Youwillwishyouhad posted a lifetime mark of 1:59.1 and shocked the field of five in the 2-year-old pace for colts and geldings. Truman Gale trained and drove the winner to the $42.60 upset win.
The 3-year-old filly trot was also a stunner as John Cummings Jr. and Royalty On High ($45.80) held off Highway Cash (Jim McNeight) in going the mile in a lifetime-best 2:00.3.
Jim Morrill Jr. went wire-to-wire with Ancient Vic ($4.40) in a lifetime best 2:03.4 to take the 2-year-old trotting colt level while in the trot for the 3-year-old colts and geldings, Ruckus ($4.80) took advantage of several breakers behind him that scattered the field and coasted to an easy victory in 2:02. for driver Greg Merton. It was Merton's second win in the finals.
A 12-race card on Friday night will kick off the holiday weekend schedule at Batavia Downs, with post time slated for 6:30 p.m., ET. The racing will continue at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday evening, while a 1:15 p.m. Labor Day card is set for Monday afternoon.