After three outside draws in lower class, Perfect Rendition (Larry Stalbaum) moved into the top class and took advantage of post one to rebuff six challengers in the $10,000 Open Trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (November 18).
Noble Legend (Shawn Gray) left and took a hard-fought lead at the quarter in :28.1. But as soon as he crossed over, Perfect Rendition pulled and retook the lead. From there, he dictated a :58 half and a 1:27.2 third panel. During that stretch, The Bronx Bumper (Jim Morrill Jr.) came first-over to challenge, but never got closer than third. At the head of the stretch, The Bronx Bumper challenge had ended, but then Nobel Legend popped the two-hole and drew a bead on the leader. Noble Legend gained ground with every stride, but he ran out of stretch before they hit the wire and Perfect Rendition won by a head in 1:57.2.
The win was the third of the year for Perfect Rendition ($6.70) and it pushed his earnings to $24,763. Larry Stalbaum owns the 10-year-old gelded son of Perfectly, who is trained by Kim Asher.
Jim Morrill Jr. won three more races on Friday while Shawn McDonough, Ray Fisher Jr. and Larry Stalbaum each won two.
(With files from Batavia Downs)