After getting the perfect trip, Southern Palms had just enough at the wire to win the $8,800 Open II Handicap trotting feature at Batavia Downs on Friday evening (November 2).
The race played out quite simply: Barn Winner (Ray Fisher Jr.) went to the top and Southern Palms (Kevin Cummings) got the perfect pocket trip. After Fisher cut fractions of :28.1 :58.2 and 1:28.2, Barn Winner rounded the last turn looking like the probable victor. But Cummings brought Southern Palms out for the stretch drive and after steady urging, nipped Barn winner at the wire by a head in 1:58.3.
Southern Palms registered his seventh win of 2018 for owner Mike Torcello, who has now been enriched the sum of $57,991 by his gelding's performances this year. Western New York legend Gerry Sarama trains the winner.
Sarama and Torcello also sent forth the winner of the $8,500 co-featured trot.
Theresnoway (Jim McNeight Jr.) got away seven lengths behind the leading Striker Ace (Drew Monti) before pulling first-over past the half and rallying down the stretch to win by a length and upset the field at 14-1.
Theresnoway ($31.80) also got his seventh win of the year, breaking a long drought since his last score on August 17.
Kevin Cummings led all drivers on Friday night winning three races on the card. Cummings is now in sole possession of the dash win lead for the current Batavia Downs meet, sporting 88 wins so far. Drew Monti is second with 85 wins and did not visit the Purple Haze winner’s circle at all on Friday.
Racing resumes on Saturday night (November 3) with post time set at 6 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)