Overtaking In Runaway Bay in the shadow of the wire, Focus Power edged to win the $10,000 Open Handicap Pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday, November 4.
In Runaway Bay took control, with Focus Power grabbing the pocket moving into the backstretch. With the two gaining separation from the field moving towards three-quarters, driver Drew Monti tipped Focus Power off the rail and drew alongside In Runaway Bay moving around the final turn, pushing to the front and holding sway through the wire, winning in 1:54.3.
It was the ninth win of the year for Focus Power, returning $5.50 to win, who now has $92,395 earned in 2017. James Caradori owns the five-year-old son of Shadow Play that is trained by Darrin Monti.
The $9,000 Open II pace saw Show Stopping, driven by Kevin Cummings, drop from the Open and wire the field in 1:55. Heavily backed by the betting public, Show Stopping, paying $2.80 to win, posted his eleventh win and boosted his season's bankroll to $72,366. The Resilient Racing Stable owns Show Stopping, who is trained by Rose Russo.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, November 8 with a 5 p.m. post time.
(With files from Batavia Downs)