A pair of $12,394 class A or optional claiming trots topped the card at Batavia Downs on Friday, Nov. 14 and both races were won in gate-to-wire fashion with identical final clockings.

The first split went to favourite Swantanamo Bay, who left from post one for driver Ray Fisher Jr. and cut quarters of :29, 1:00.1 and 1:30, while fending off a pesky Grinder (Joe Chindano Jr.), who was parked out for the event. As they made their way around the last turn, Swantanamo Bay began to separate from the field and eventually stretched out to a 2-3/4-length win in 1:59.1. Munk (David McNeight III) finished second as the longest shot on the board while Crazy Fool (Kyle Cummings) took third over Grinder.

Swantanamo Bay earned his third win in the last five starts for New York-based owners Gary Ballowe and Cassie Russo, who also trains the four-year-old Swan For All-Dress For Success gelding. He paid $5.30 to win.

The second division went to Rough Tuff Tested, who grabbed the lead from post three for driver James McNeight Jr. and trotted on top through fractions of :29.2, 1:00 and 1:28.3 while the favoured Quiksilvr Bluechip (Kyle Swift) was pressing through the second and third quarters. When the field moved through the final turn, Said N Done As (Drew Monti) was on the outside and moved into second while applying more pressure on the leader. But his bid quickly failed and a renewed effort came from Quiksilvr Bluechip in the passing lane while a fast-closing Whats The Point (Dave McNeight III) was barrelling down the centre of the track. Rough Tuff Tested kept them all at bay and hung on by a nose to win in 1:59.1. Quiksilvr Bluechip just missed with Whats The Point a neck back in third.

Rough Tuff Tested, a five-year-old gelding by Muscle Mass out of Razburrito, has won two of his last three races for trainer Jeffrey Martin and New York owner Michael Calimeri. He returned $15.44 for the upset win.

Shawn McDonough trained four winners on the 12-race card, including a pair he drove himself, Major Escape ($2.60) and Braydens Bandit ($37.78). Joe Chindano Jr. teamed up with McDonough for one of four driving wins on Friday with In Eras Image ($3.48) while David McNeight III, a three-time Friday winner, drove McDonough's other successful trainee, Timeto Communicate ($21.98).

Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Nov. 15, with post time at 6 p.m.

(With files from Batavia Downs; photo of Rough Tuff Tested winning on Nov. 14)