A $18,056 Open Handicap for both gaits topped the bill at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 23) night and each event was won with opposing race strategies.

The pacing feature went to Melanion N, who went gate-to-wire in impressive fashion.

Drew Monti sent Melanion N forward off the gate and got the lead on the outside at the :27.3 quarter. Melanion N then crossed over and backed off the half to a tepid :58 before turning on the jets during the second circuit. Mirragon A (Shawn McDonough) made a first-over move from fifth and pushed the third quarter in 1:26 while getting to within a length of the leader. But that leader, Melanion N, turned the other cheek and simply paced away. Melanion N opened up a 1-1/2 length margin at the top of the lane and then stretched that out to 3-1/2 at the line as he bolted home in a snappy :27.3 to win in 1:53.3.

The win was the fourth of the year for Melanion N ($3.20; pictured above), who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Dr. Michael Miller. Maria Rice trains the winner. 

Later, the top trot went to Dougadougadew, who came from way off the pace to score in a thrilling finish. 

Kyle Cummings took Dougadougadew off the gate to seventh and trailed by 8-3/4 lengths as Power And Grace (Drew Monti), El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) and Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) battled three-deep to the quarter in :28 flat. Biscoe finally cleared, but El Toro Loco was hung out to dry and trotted in the breeze next to the leader to the half in :57 and three-quarters in 1:27. It was at that station that Cummings tipped Dougadougadew four wide, which was a position he would remain in throughout the final turn. When they entered the stretch, Dougadougadew was trotting up a storm, made up ground on Biscoe with every stride and eventually went right by him in deep stretch to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:58. 

Dougadougadew ($16.20) picked up his 11th win this season for owners Doug and Tyra Ackley and trainer Tammy Cummings. 

In the fourth race, seven-year-old trotter Discus Hanover brushed late and won by a head in 1:58.4 to claim his 50th career victory. Owned by Phil Hale and his trainer Dave Dewhurst, Discus Hanover now shows earnings of $332,932 as a result of his milestone and boasts a lifetime-best clocking of 1:53.4 at Vernon Downs two years ago. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Nov. 27 with post time at 6 p.m. and there will also be a carryover of $2,812 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 15th race.

(Batavia Downs)