Noble Legend looked very sharp on the front end while defeating six top-end trotters as well as an inquiry at the wire to win the $10,500 Open Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night.
Noble Legend (Ray Fisher, Jr.) left strong off the gate and established a loose two-length advantage on the front end. After passing the quarter in :28.3 the post time favourite Egosnattitudes (Larry Stalbaum) pulled from last and flushed Striker Ace (Kevin Cummings) after they tripped the timer at :58.3 for the half.
Moving up the backside Noble Legend was still strong on the lead as Striker Ace bowed out of the competition. As a result Egosnattitudes tipped three-wide at the three-quarters and advanced to second by the top of the lane. Stalbaum started urging his trotter as he drew closer to the leader, but before he could gain the advantage Egosnattitudes broke wildly halfway down the stretch and galloped across the wire a neck ahead of Noble Legend.
As a result of the obvious lapped-on break, Egosnattitudes was disqualified by the judges and placed last while Noble Legend was named the official winner, timed in 1:57.1.
It was the seventh win of the year for Noble Legend ($7.00) who has now earned $61,370 in 2017 for owners Vogel & Wags Nags Stable and Jack Rice. Maria Rice trains the winner.
In the $8,000 Open II trot, Barn Winner (Ray Fisher, Jr.) was third at the half, gapped seven-lengths and chasing a runaway Lutetium (John Cummings, Jr.) who took the field to a 1:25.3 third quarter, before pulling in the far turn and trotting right by the fading leader to win in 1:56, which was a new lifetime mark for the winner.
Barn Winner ($20.20) now boasts nine wins on the year and $35,310 in the bank. The three-year-old gelded son of Credit Winner was purchased privately on August 29 by his current owners Tanah Merah Farms LLC and the Swift Racing Stable and is trained by Ryan Swift.
Kevin Cummings had a big night, winning four races on the card. He got across with Pilgrims All In ($5.00, 1:57.4), Shawnee Magic ($8.90), 1:58.1), Ona Dream ($6.40, 1:59.3) and Kings Treasure ($5.00, 1:55.3).
Ray Fisher, Jr. had a driving triple himself while trainers David Russo, Rose Russo, JD Perrin and Angelo Nappo all had two stable members cross the wire first.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday with post time at 6 p.m. Saturday’s card will feature a non-betting Racing Under Saddle (RUS) race to be presented after the seventh race.
(Batavia Downs)