Batavia, NY — The weather was bad, the course was in disrepair and the competition came to play. But Natameri had all the answers on Saturday (October 11) and despite everything won the $12,500 Open Handicap pace.
Natameri (Kevin Cummings) started three wide around the first turn and crossed into the lead in :27.3 in the quarter when I Ain’t No Mack (John Cummings Jr.) was ticketed to run second. The field held steady for only a few steps before Melanion N (Drew Monti) tagged in from fifth and began the long trek to the leader as they passed in front of the stands.
Heading down the backstretch, Natameri and Melanion N came through the doldrums on even terms in a fast:28.4 panel. That battle continued into the corner and as they headed straight for home, I Ain’t No Mack dove into the passing lane to join the party and pushed hard as they headed to the line. I Ain’t No Mack continued to close, but Natameri was on a mission and managed to win by half a length in 1:55.3.
It was the fifth win in the last seven starts for Natameri ($15.22), owned by Purple Haze Stable and trained by Jessica Okusko.
Natameri repeat
Kevin Cummings ended the evening with a hat trick at the lines and led all drivers on Saturday.
There were also two solid $11,400 Open II events on the card, one for each course.
On the pace, Lip Reader A (Drew Monti) took no prisoners and led through quarters of :27.4, :58.3 and 1:26.2 before making the last left and going down the track with an increasing margin, eventually winning by 2-¼ lengths in 1:54.4.
It was the eighth win of the year for Lip Reader A ($8.18) for owners Vogel and Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing. Maria Rice trains the winner.
Then Gone Crazee (Jone Chindano Jr.) was on the trot in fourth at halftime before going over first in pursuit of the leader Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.), who he caught early in the stretch. As the pair made their way down the track they trotted together to the line where Gone Crazee was three-quarters of a length ahead in 1:58.3.
It was also the eighth win of 2025 for Gone Crazee ($11.98), owned by Marie Houghtaling and trained by Ron Houghtaling.
Trainers Angelo Nappo and Chris Petrelli both scored two wins during the proceedings.
Live racing resumes on Wednesday (October 15) at Batavia Downs with post time at 6pm and there will be a carryover of $3,679 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 12th race.
Free full card history performance programs for every live card of racing in Batavia can always be downloaded from The Downs website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the ‘Live Racing’ tab. Then you can watch all the races live for free as they happen on the Batavia Downs YouTube page.
For full race results, click here: American trotting results.
Through Tim Boyarskifor Batavia Downs
#hardfought #victory #achieved #Natameri