Batavia's 'win machine' notches 18th of the year

For the third time in his last five starts, William Varney’s Pembroke Cushy took home the top prize in the $9,000 Open Pace on Saturday night at Batavia Downs Gaming. The closing night feature was named in honor of Taco Bell restaurants, the sponsor of the 2007 Caring for Kids Toy drive promotion. Once again this year over 300 toys were donated for sick and needy kids in Western New York.

Pulling to the outside rounding the paddock turn the first time Pembroke Cushy with regular driver-trainer Keith Kash Jr. in the sulky were on the move coming to the half as Walkinshaw (Vernon Smith) and Preacher Preacher (Ron Beback Jr.) were locked up in a heated battle going fractions of :28.3 to the quarter and :57.4 to the half.

Rounding the clubhouse turn on the payoff half, Kash tipped “Cushy” three wide and they were quickly up to take command as the field of eight headed to three-quarters.

Opening up three lengths at three-quarters in 1:26.4, Pembroke Cushy increased his margin to eight at the top of heartbreak lane. Simply cruising to the wire, Pembroke Cushy scored by 6 3/4 lengths, pacing the mile in 1:56.3. Not a bad mile considering temperatures were in the high teens at post time.

“He’s razor sharp,” Kash said in the winner's circle. The 5-year-old son of Neutralize notched his ninth win of the season and raised his 2007 earnings to over $45,000. Going off at odds 2-5, Pembroke Cushy returned $2.80 to win.

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