Although overlooked by many and sent off at a hearty 9-1, Foiled Again brought his A-game to Genesee County and exhibited the heart that has earned him over $7.4 million in lifetime earnings to win the 14th annual $50,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night.
Off the gate, Scott Rocks (John Cummings Jr.) and Mel Mara (Jim Morrill Jr.) argued for the lead and registered a swift :26.4 quarter in the process before Mel Mara relented and tucked in second. With Scott Rocks now dictating the proceedings, the field stayed in single-file around the far turn before Polak A (Shawn Gray) pulled first-over at the three-eighths to start the outer flow.
Polak A drew alongside Scott Rocks at the :54.4 half, stalked him around the turn and then passed the tiring leader before crossing over at three-quarters in 1:22.4. At this point, Foiled Again (Kevin Cummings), who had been tracking the race from fifth, tipped three-deep around Southwind Amazon (Shawn McDonough) and caught up to the leader by the top of the stretch. Then as they came down the lane, Foiled Again swelled up under mild urging from Cummings and paced right by Polak A to win by a length in 1:52.2. Polak A hung on for second and Mel Mara overcame road trouble to grab third.
It was the third time Foiled Again has won the Kane Memorial, having also scored victories in the 2009 and 2013 editions, and the second time Kevin Cummings has won it after taking the 2006 race with Michael Scores.
“He went real well tonight,” said Cummings. “He was a little lazy early, but he did a good job tracking the field. He knows his business and I was confident at the three-quarters that he could win this. It was great to win the Kane tonight.”
It was the 90th career win for Foiled Again ($20.20), who now sits just $13,492 short of $7.5 million (U.S.) lifetime. The 12-year-old Ron Burke trainee is owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and the JJK Stable.
In the co-featured $15,000 Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot, Serious George (Shawn Gray) got away fourth before pulling first-over at the half to pound out an arduous journey and overtake the front-running BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) to win in a new lifetime mark of 1:57.2. Serious George ($23.00) is owned by James Palladino and trained by Rich Mays.
Driver Shawn Gray was red hot on Saturday, winning five races on the card. He scored with Studio City ($3.90, 1:58.1), Surfers Paradise ($8.60, 1:55.4), Serious George ($23.00, 1:57.2), Gallant Major ($5.40, 1:56.2) and Lifes Lessons ($4.40, 1:56.1).
Kevin Cummings and Jim Morrill Jr. both had driving hat tricks and trainers Ron Burke and Gerry Sarama each claimed three wins apiece.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday afternoon (October 10) for the last matinee card of the season. The Columbus Day special gets underway at 1:15 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)