For the second week in a row, Perfect Rendition stalked quick early fractions before gearing up in the payoff half to win the $10,000 Open trotting feature at Batavia Downs on Friday night (November 25).
When the gate released the short but classy field of six trotters, Noble Legend (Shawn Gray) went for the early lead, seating Jim Dandy (Jim McNeight Jr.) and Perfect Rendition (Larry Stalbaum) in the process. The leader then proceeded to cut quarters of :28.2 and :58 and did it unchallenged as the trailing drivers were content to sit in.
The situation remained unchanged until just before three-quarters when Perfect Rendition pulled and started to advance. By the time they hit that panel in 1:27.3, Perfect Rendition was matching strides with Noble Legend and a battle ensued around the final turn. When the pair straightened out at the head of the lane, Perfect Rendition got a slight advantage under Stalbaum’s urging and, as a result, ended up the best of the bunch as he trotted to victory in 1:57.2 over the rain-soaked track.
Perfect Rendition ($19.40) earned his fourth win of the year -- half of which were registered at Batavia Downs the last two weeks. The 10-year-old son of Perfectly, who is trained by Kimberly Asher, has now bankrolled annual earnings of $29,763 for owner/driver Larry Stalbaum.
In the co-featured $9,000 Filly and Mares Open Pace, Kruella ($8.60) scored her third win in a row, coming from second-over in the outer flow to tip three-wide at the head of the lane and brush by to a slick 1:56.4 win for driver Shawn McDonough. Kruella is trained by Jineen Simone, who co-owns the mare with Bonnie Kowalcyk.
Ray Fisher Jr. had a grand slam Friday night, including a natural hat-trick in races four through six. He won with Wicked Elphaba ($6.50), Southern Palms ($11.20), Rock The Dream ($9.60) and Babes Chip ($2.60).
Shawn Gray and Larry Stalbaum both registered driving triples on the evening while trainer Kim Asher sent two of her students to the winner’s circle.
(With files from Batavia Downs)