Horse of the year candidate S Js Morgan made it five wins in a row, when he took the co-featured $9,000 Open Handicap Trot, Friday night at Batavia Downs Gaming.
Getting away last in a field six, in the weekly trotting feature, S Js Morgan with trainer/driver Ron Beback Jr. in the sulky made their move at the five-eighths pole trotting up three-wide, and were up to challenge leader Jack Sparrow, with Jim McNeight driving, at three-quarters in 1:29.4.
They two trotted the final stanza as a team with S Js Morgan prevailing in a thrilling stretch battle by a head in 2:00 flat. Speed Pilot (Robert McNeight) finished third.
The six-year-old son of S J’s Photo is owned by William Switala and James Martin. S Js Morgan scored for the 11th time during the Downs 2008 Summer-Fall meet, which raised his seasonal earning to over $55,000 and lifetime earnings to over $125,000. He returned $4.80 to win.
Devils Delight closed with a rush to upset ($27.00) in the $9,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace in 1:58.4 for driver Jim McNeight and trainer Jim Graham. The six-year-old D M Dilinger mare is owned by Ron Viola, Dave Venniro and Jim Graham.
Jim McNeight was the driving star of the evening driving home four winners.
There is only three more nights remaining in the 2008 season. Racing resumes on Saturday night. Post time is 7:05 p.m.
(Batavia)