The cold, rainy weather at Batavia Downs Friday night (Nov. 22) didn't dampen the spirits of Lutetium ($5.80) as he made it two straight victories in the $8,500 Open Trot with a 1:59.1 time over a sloppy track.
Last week, Lutetium scored a front-running two length victory, but Friday he had the field waving the white flag at the top of the stretch, drawing away to a seven length win.
Lutetium went gate-to-wire and the result of the race was never in doubt, especially after the pocket-sitter R As Shakenbake broke stride midway around the final turn.
The six-year-old Lutetium (Credit Winner-Luby) was put on the lead from the start by driver Kevin Cummings and registered times of :29, :59, 1:28.3 in posting his 10th win of the season. Haste (Jim McNeight) finished a distant second and Heartsaregonnaroll (Shawn McDonough) was third.
Owned by Colleen Girdlestone and trained by Mark Laidlaw, Lutetium pushed his seasonal bankroll to $51,759 and lifetime earnings to $179,331.
Kevin Cummings drove three more winners on Friday night while John Cummings Jr. and Ray Fisher Jr. had doubles.
A 12-race program is scheduled for Saturday night with post time at 6:30 p.m. The $8,500 Open Pace is the feature and is set to go as the seventh race. Unicorn Hanover is the 5-2 morning line choice and will score from the five post with Greg Merton in the sulky.
(With files from Batavia Downs)