R C Cruiser shot to the top as soon as the starting gate swung open and cruised to victory in the $9,000 Open Pace at Batavia Downs Saturday night.
Dismissed at 7-1 after going off as the favourite in last week's Open, R C Cruiser ($16) had no resistance in getting to the top as G Es Toy and Eviction Notice N both were off-stride at the start.
Driver Jim McNeight just sat back from there and enjoyed the fresh, crisp fall air as R C Cruiser did the rest, scoring the win in 1:54.3 over the fast track. A :29.4 second quarter breather proved to be a nice break for the seven-year-old Yankee Cruiser gelding.
R C Cruiser posted fractions of :28, :57.4 and 1:26.1 in scoring the three-quarters of a length win. Second place finisher Unicorn Hanover (Bobby Verney) stalked the winner the entire mile from the pocket, but never posed a threat. Le Reina Road (Dave McNeight III), last week's Open Pace winner, was third.
Owned by Franklin Meier of West Seneca, New York, R C Cruiser now has six victories is 32 starts and $55,488 in earnings in 2012. Jerry Nugent Jr. trained the winner.
The 66th summer-fall meet continues on Tuesday night at Batavia Downs when a 12-race will be presented with a 6:25 p.m. post. The Pick 6 carryover going into the Tuesday program is $1,238.
(Batavia Downs)