Stratosphere was shot into orbit by driver Drew Monti right before the opening panel, and that bold brush proved to be the difference as the six-year-old gelding collected the victory in Buffalo Raceway s $11,000 Class AA-Open Handicapped Pace on Saturday night (May 22).
Sitting third behind Santana Beach and Thor De Vie approaching the opening marker, Stratosphere wasn t pleased with the action on the front so he took control of matters, firing to the lead.
With splits of :28.4, :57.2 and 1:26, Stratosphere was ready to face the challenges that awaited him in the home stretch. Daylight Rush gave it a good try but couldn t get by Stratosphere as he finished a half length in front in 1:54.1. Santana Beach and Under Paid finished in a dead heat for third.
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The curtain came down on the 2020 racing meet at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 12) but not before Stratosphere captured the final $9,600 Open Pace on a mild December night.
Driver Drew Monti sent Stratosphere off the wings and took a lead he would not relinquish. With the field aligned single file, Stratosphere went to the quarter in :28.1 and then backed the half down to :58.2. That prompted Santana Beach to pull first over to try and mount a challenge.
When the race rounded the third turn Stratosphere raised the stakes, pacing the third quarter in :28.1 and opening a two-length lead at three-quarters. From there Stratosphere made his way around the final bend and paced away to a wrapped-up three-length romp in 1:55.1.