Since coming into trainer Mike Deters’ barn in September, Burn Notice has had a reversal of fortunes that have seen him not finish off the board in five starts. And his class ascent continued at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 20) after he won the $15,000 Open I Handicap trotting feature. 

Jim Morrill Jr. put Burn Notice on the point and was peerless for the rest of the mile. Burn Notice went moderate quarters of :28.3, :58 and 1:27 and only the pocket-sitting Lunar Credit (Jim McNeight Jr.) was close enough to make a bid. However, even he was overmatched to make a run as Burn Notice turned for home and peeled away by 2-1/2 lengths in a 1:57.1 romp. 

Scoring his third win in his last six starts, Burn Notice ($7.70) continued his recent success for owners Deters, Joel Warner and John Manning. 

One race earlier in the $13,000 Open II Handicap Trot, 22-1 outsider Ricky Be Sharp (Mike Baumeister) got away fifth, and 12 lengths behind the front-running Discus Hanover (Kevin Cummings), who was the prohibitive post time favourite. As the race moved around turn three and approached three-quarters, Ricky Be Sharp followed the outside lead of BJ Laredo (Jim McNeight Jr.) until the top of the stretch where Baumeister tipped him three-deep into the center of the track. From there, Ricky Be Sharp flew to the wire under a line drive and won by a length in 1:59.

Ricky Be Sharp ($47.80) is owned by Jennifer Signor and trained by Ron Baumeister. 

Kevin Cummings had four driving wins on Friday night. 

Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. and there will be a $175 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

(Batavia Downs)