Despite being parked out three-deep to the half, Duke Lavictoire went on to win the $17,361 Open Handicap Trot with authority and set a new track record for aged trotting geldings at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Off the gate, I Got The Looks (Dan Yetman), Crazy Ritz (Jim McNeight Jr.) and Duke Lavictoire (Jim Morrill Jr.), who was widest of all, were spread three across the track through fractions of :27.1 and :55.3 before Duke Lavictoire finally crossed over to the lead and settled in for the second circuit.

But there was no rest for the weary heading up the backstretch as Valentine Express (Joe Chindano Jr.) was out and moving at five-eighths and drew alongside Duke Lavictoire before three-quarters in 1:25.1. The two trotters matched strides around the last turn and into the stretch, where Duke Lavictoire turned back a valiant effort from Valentine Express and remained in control all the way to the line, where he won by a length in 1:55. Dougadougadew (Kyle Cummings) was third.

The time was a new seasonal mark for the winner and replaced the old track record of 1:55.1 set by Dewey Arnold in 2022. 

Duke Lavictoire ($5.80) is owned by his trainer, Brett Derue, in partnership with Stephen Picarazzi and Darreyl Bullard. The seven-year-old son of Royalty For Life-Kadabra Lavictoire has won 28 times in 93 lifetime starts and has earned $209,387.

Brett Derue has been on a tear at The Downs. Since he started shuttling stock to Genesee County from his Saratoga base, he has sent 15 winners to post from 42 starters, as well as registering six seconds and five thirds. Those figures are good for a 35.7 per cent win rate and a stellar UTR of .476.

There was also a $12,500 Open Handicap Pace that was won by Lanjo Lee in gate-to-wire fashion.

Kyle Cummings pushed Lanjo Lee off the gate to the front and had him in front all the way. Lanjo Lee provided panels of :27.2, :56.3, and 1:24.3 before he rounded the last bend and raced home clear by three-quarters of a length over favourite Lyons Surfing (Kyle Swift) to win in 1:52.4. Twist Knot (Chindano) was third.

Lanjo Lee ($9.96) is now seven-for-21 this season for trainer Jeff Sorenson and tied his seasonal mark with the win. The gelding, a six-year-old son of So Surreal-My Drag Queen, is owned by Gordon Swift. He has won 32 of 89 lifetime starts and has earned $392,225.

Batavia's leading trainer Sam Smith added another three victories to his haul, sending out winners I Aint No Mack ($10.72), Tymal Envoy ($4.70) and Golden Compass ($4.86). The Saturday performance upped his meet total to 50, giving him a nine-win lead over Shawn McDonough.

Driving hat tricks were turned in by both feature winners, Jim Morrill Jr. and Kyle Cummings.

The aforementioned Smith trainee Tymal Envoy earned his victory in one of the two $10,417 pacing races for the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) held on Saturday's card. George Ketros guided Tymal Envoy to a 1:56.1 score. Candace Brandstatter-Hall collected her first Provisional-license win in the other AHDC event with Reggiano in 1:57.1 for trainer Marc Shuttleworth.

The American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) and North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) teamed for a donation to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester.

As part of the special amateur driving event, members of the AHDC and the NAADA competed in a pair of races before presenting a $2,500 cheque for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. AHDC President Anthony Verruso and NAADA President Joe Faraldo were joined by competing drivers for the cheque presentation.

“We enjoyed having the chance to compete at a different venue from our usual races,” said Anthony Verruso. “We get the privilege to go to different states and even different countries to race, so we like to give back to those communities when we come to town. We appreciate the hospitality by Batavia Downs and will continue to race for causes wherever we go.”

The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester is a community-based grassroots organization dedicated to eradicating breast and gynecologic cancers by providing funding for research and advocacy programs at various legislative levels, which are also aimed at funding cancer prevention, studying causes and searching for cures.

Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday with post time at 6 p.m. There will be a carryover of $1,256 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race. 

(With files from Batavia Downs & AHDC)