Pathtodover finds path to Batavia circle

Using a big move at the three-quarter pole, Pathtodover found the path to the winner's circle in the $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at a damp and foggy Batavia Downs Wednesday night.

 

Sitting fourth behind the parked-out and stalling cover of Real Joy (Jason Merriman), driver Doug Bowins steered Pathtodover ($10.20) three wide around the final turn and easily blew past the pace-setting Romania Hanover and the pocket sitting V'La Faire at the top of the stretch to score the convincing 4 1/2-length win in 1:57.2.

V'La Faire (Ray Fisher Jr.) closed up in the open stretch to get second over Romania Hanover (Shawn Gray) who hung on for third.

Owned and trained by Bowins of Dundas, Ont., it was the ninth win of the season for Pathtodover in 28 starts. The 5-year-old mare of Straight Path now has earnings of $61,887 for the season.

The first leg of the Henry Tojj Claming Series began and Johnny Grippa posted the fastest winning time in the six divisions with an impressive 1:57.4 over the sloppy track. Other division winners were Looks R Deceiving (2:00.0), Bobsujak (1:58.2), Burl Hanover (2:00.3), Vasvixen N (2:00.4) and Whatsthurraymurray (2:01.3).

The $27,000 finals of the series and the $10,000 consolation race will be run on Nov. 17. (Batavia)