Unicorn Hanover has been saddled with outside post positions the past three weeks, but showed to be competitive with some late speed. On Saturday night (Nov. 16), a better post and a perfect trip allowed Unicorn Hanover ($7.30) to show off that late kick resulting in a one and a quarter length victory in the $8,000 Open I-II Pace at Batavia Downs.

Sitting fourth behind the pacesetting OK Braveheart, who put up fractions of :29, :58.1, and 1:26.3, Unicorn Hanover (Greg Merton) fanned out three-wide down the lane and posted a sizzling :27.4 final panel to easily cruise to the victory in 1:54.4 over the fast track.

Veto Hanover (Shawn McDonough) took the place position while the pocket-sitter, Racsan Steve (Jack Flanigen), took the show spot.

The win was the third of season for Unicorn Hanover (Four Starzz Shark-Up Front Georgia), who has now earned $46,550 in 2013 and $308,422 lifetime. The six-year-old gelding is owned by the Empowered Racing Stable and trained by Carl Smith.

Merton, who had a driving triple, lit up the board a race later as he steered Hans Knows Best to a $182 victory. Kevin Cummings, fresh off a six-win performance on Friday night, and Downs dash leader Shawn McDonough notched doubles.

The racing continues on Wednesday night with a 12-race program to get underway at 6:30 p.m. The feature will be the seventh race, the $8,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace. Red Star Fiona seeks back-to-back victories and will open as the 5-2 morning line favourite. Ray Fisher Jr. will score Red Star Fiona from the two post. There are only nine more nights remaining in the 2013 season.

(Batavia Downs)