Echo De Meautis Fr reached a career milestone on Thursday, Sept. 24 as the 12-year-old gelding powered to his 50th lifetime victory in a $7,042 optional-claiming trot at Batavia Downs.

The French-bred son of Ganymede-Michka stepped past Mets Tour (Wade Tomaszewski) nearing the quarter in :29.4, reached the half unopposed in :59.3 and fought off Our Night Fury (John Cummings Jr.) through three-quarters in 1:29.4. He drew clear in the lane, defeating Our Night Fury by open lengths in 1:59.4 for driver Dave McNeight III. Mets Tour finished third.

Echo De Meautis Fr notched his third victory in 26 starts this year for trainer Candace Brandstatter-Hall and owner Aaron Hall. The gelding, imported from France in 2022, reached the half-century mark in his 203rd career start while raising his earnings to $654,403. He paid $3.50 to win.

Another 12-year-old gelding, Pointomygranson, won the $11,267 conditioned pace to bring his career win total to 65. He made two moves to the lead from his pylon-position start for Drew Monti, then led the race from there out, posting splits of :28.3, :58.1 and 1:26.4. Pointomygranson had a 1-1/2-length lead at three-quarters that he extended around turn four to 2-1/4 lengths at the top of the stretch, but he had to rally as Stranger Things (Kevin Cummings) flew three-wide from fifth and closed swiftly in the lane. Stranger Things drew alongside the pacesetter late, but the wire came in time as Pointomygranson hung on to win in 1:56. Woodmere Rollnpop (Dave McNeight III) finished third.

Pointomygranson ($2.40) was a New York Sire Stakes competitor at both two and three and competed in the Breeders Crown eliminations in 2016. He later went on to take a lifetime mark of 1:49.4 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 2019 and has now earned $1,069,405 from 329 starts. Lav Racing Stable owns the Chris Petrelli-trained son of American Ideal-Sangaal.

There were several other long-tenured winners during the card, including My Mind Is Madeup (48th win), Daylight Rush (46th win) and Thor De Vie (42nd win). 

Drew Monti led all drivers with a hat trick on Thursday, while 10 different trainers each won one race apiece. 

Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Saturday at 5 p.m. There will be a $6,902 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the 11th race. 

(Standardbred Canada & Batavia Downs; photo of Echo De Meautis Fr winning on Nov. 20, 2023