by Todd Haight, General Manager of Live Racing

Batavia, NY — Taking advantage of a perfect trip from the rail, Looks R Deceiving used the passing lane down the stretch and captured the $27,000 finals of the Henry Tojj Claiming Pacing Series in 1:58 at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 17).

Paul White photo

Looks R Deceiving used the passing lane to capture the final of the Henry Tojj Claiming Series Saturday night at Batavia Downs.

Looks R Deceiving, dismissed at 9-1, just missed by a neck off the rail last week in the third leg of the Tojj, losing to The Classic Z Tam in 1:57.3. But driver-trainer Bobby Verney made sure he took advantage of the rail in the finals as he caught the pace-setting Johnny Grippa (Jim Morrill Jr.) midway down the lane.

Johnny Grippa had set the fractions of :27.4, :57.4 and 1:27.4 but started to get leg-weary down the lane. Looks R Deceiving ($20.80) dropped down into the passing lane and stepped away for the one-length win over the fast track. Vasvixen N (Shawn Gray) rallied late inside for the place spot while Johnny Grippa held on for third.

Looks R Deceiving, a 5-year-old Modern Art gelding, is owned by Stephen Andzel of Williamsville, N.Y. The victory pushed his 2012 earnings to $46,388 and has now nine wins in 35 starts this season.

In the $10,000 consolation of the Henry Tojj Claiming Pacing Series, driver Anthony Morgan guided Dawn Of Trey ($31.80) to the surprise one-length victory, beating Square John (Jim Morrill Jr.) in 1:58.

Dawn Of Trey is owned by Doug Neely of Barberton, OH and trained by Larry Clabaugh.