Harness racing's richest pacer Foiled Again and driver Brett Miller captured the $50,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Invitational on Saturday night's card at Batavia Downs.
Amidst a compact field of four after three horses were scratched from the evening's seventh race feature, Ron Burke trainee Foiled Again worked his way to the lead over Heston Blue Chip and Chris Page during the opening quarter. The 2-5 favourite then cruised through panels of :27, :56.1 and 1:24.3 en route to the 1:52 triumph with Heston Blue Chip following one length behind in the passing lane. Rounding out the field over nine lengths behind were the Michael Caprio-driven Fireyourguns and Sportsman with John Cummings Jr. in the bike.
The nine-year-old Dragon Again gelding is now a two-time winner of the Kane Memorial, having also won the event in 2009 with Matt Kakaley driving in a time of 1:52.3.
His victory in the 2013 edition came within four-fifths of a second of the all-age track record, which was established by 2011 Kane Memorial champion Aracache Hanover.
"He's just a pleasure to drive," said Miller. "He's so professional, I knew a very good horse was sitting behind me, but he just went on about his business. He won pretty easy."
The victory bumped Foiled Again's ever-expanding bankroll to $5,393,335 for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and JJK Stables LLC. The win was his seventh in 23 starts this year and 72nd lifetime.
The Kane Memorial was Foiled Again's final tune-up for the Breeders Crown eliminations at Pocono Downs next week.
(With quotes from Batavia Downs)