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.