Another sloppy track greeted participants for Friday night’s (November 30) card, but it was no impediment for Empire Earl N, who double-moved to victory in the $11,500 Open Handicap Trot at Batavia Downs.
Leaving from post four, Empire Earl N (Drew Monti) tucked second behind Crystal Sphere (Billy Davis Jr.), who led the field to the half in :59.1. At that station, the outside train came with Labatt Hanover (Shawn McDonough) on the engine and post time favourite Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) third-over in the caboose.
As the group motored up the backside, Fisher grew impatient and pulled Lougazi three-wide to try and sweep the field. But several steps into that move, Lougazi made a break and the whole raced changed right there. Empire Earl N now had room to come off the pylons and Monti got him rolling around the last turn. After drawing next to Crystal Sphere, Empire Earl N continued right on by and under mild urging, opened up a length lead to win in 1:58.3.
Now boasting $84,854 in earnings on the strength of nine wins this year, the 10-year-old Empire Earl N ($12.40) is having a career-year for wins, earnings and mark for owner Kim Asher and trainer Riley Asher-Stalbaum.
In the $8,800 Open II Trot, Are You In (Kevin Cummings) turned a second-over trip past the half into a winning three-wide move at the top of the stretch where he passed Barn Winner (Ray Fisher Jr.) down the lane to win his fourth race of the year, timed in 2:00. Are You In ($5.40) is owned by Anthony Alessi and is trained by his driver, Kevin Cummings.
Shawn McDonough had a huge driving triple on Friday, lighting up the board with two of the wins. He scored with Heza Swan ($60), Raylan Givens ($6.50) and Back To Motown ($26.80).
With no winning ticket on the early Pick-5 on Friday, there is a carryover of $570 and a guaranteed pool of $1,500 for the early Pick-5 on Saturday evening (December 1) when racing resumes at Batavia Downs. Post time for the first race at 6 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)