After a convincing victory off class relief last week, Louie The Lilac moved back to the feature race and won again in the $15,000 Open I Handicap Pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Nov. 22).
Kevin Cummings fired Louie The Lilac to the front and led every step of the way. After setting the pace at :28.1, :58.2 and 1:26.3 with Xenias Chip (Jim Morrill Jr.) trying to match steps in the pocket, Louie The Lilac turned for home and bolted to the line on top by three lengths in 1:55.3. Xenias Chip settled for second and Summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) completed the top three finish order.
The win was the ninth of the year from 22 starts for Louie The Lilac ($3.90), who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.
Cummings ended the night with three wins to lead all drivers.
In the $11,500 mid-level conditioned event for distaff pacers, The Stunning Nun N (Jim Morrill Jr.) made her first start back since September a winning one after she led from gate to wire in 1:57.2 by an easy 2-1/2 lengths over A Black Diamond (Dave McNeight III).
The Stunning Nun N ($7.70) is owned by her trainer Mike Deters, in partnership with Joel Warner, John Manning and Barbara Jensen.
Deters along with Sam Smith and Mike Ohol each had two training wins on Wednesday.
The $10,000 guaranteed Pick-5 was hit on Wednesday. The combination of 5/3/1,8/1/3 returned $408 for a 50-cent wager. The carryover was $3,035 and the guarantee generated $13,907 in new money.
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. and there will be a $3,080 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.
(With files from Batavia Downs)