by Dana Bojarski, Batavia Downs Casino media relations intern

Batavia, NY — Locally owned Aracache Hanover was victorious Saturday night (Oct. 8) in the $40,000 ninth annual Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace in front of a packed house on a warm autumn night at Batavia Downs Casino.

Paul White photo

Trevor Henry piloted Aracache Hanover to an all-time track record of 1:51.1 in the Kane Memorial.

The winning time of 1:51.1 broke the all-time track record by four-fifths of a second. The old mark was previously set by Kenneth J and driver Jim Morrill, Jr. in the 2008 edition of the Kane Memorial.

Silent Swing (Brad Kramer) started off fast, leaving the gate and passing favorite Aracache Hanover (Trevor Henry) to take the lead before they hit the turn. They made it to the quarter in a sizzling :26.2, only helping the notion that this race could possibly break the track record.

Kramer had Silent Swing really fired up as he continued to lead the field, with Aracache Hanover second and Windfall Blue Chip (Montrell Teague) third around the turn and down the crowd-side straightaway as they hit the half in :54.1.

Windfall Blue Chip made an attempt to pull first up once they got to the backstretch, but Teague did not have enough horse and could only manage to move alongside the pocket sitter at the three-quarters in 1:22.4.

Approaching the top of the stretch a boxed in Aracahe Hanover was able to extricate himself from the two-hole and was quickly up to challenge Silent Swing. Down the lane Aracache Hanover bolted to the front to meet the finish line and make history by 2-1/4 lengths. Power Of A Moment (Jack Flanigen) found the inside lane and pulled out second by a nose over Silent Swing who hung on for third.

Aracache Hanover, who paid $3.30 to win, usually races on the front end, but a fast leaving Silent Swing provided him with a perfect pocket trip on Saturday.

“That horse of Brad’s, he can leave hard, he didn’t want me to really move so I had to stay where I was,” said Henry. “It just worked out great. I was lucky to get out at the top of the turn, but I had the passing lane and I don’t think it would have mattered, but he is a nice horse. It was great to make the trip down here and win.”

This win brings Aracache Hanover’s lifetime earnings to $1,035,803 for owners William Switala and James Martin of Clarence Center, N.Y. The 4-year-old is trained by Gregg McNair.

The Kane Memorial Pace was established in honor of Robert J. Kane, former Chairman of the Board of the Western New York Off-Track Betting and the visionary responsible for WROTB purchasing Batavia Downs.

Mach Ten put a stranglehold on being named 2011 Batavia Downs Trotter of the Year when he raised his record to a perfect six-for-six in the Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot.

Being assigned the eight hole made no difference as Mach Ten left, tucked in fourth, moved three deep behind stalled cover at the three-quarters and put in an explosive move to draw off to a much the best, six length win in 1:57. Kevin Cummings was in the bike for trainer Michelle Gramza and owner Dianne Mahiques.

Racing resumes on Monday, Columbus Day, for the final matinee of the season. Post time is 1:15 p.m. The races can be viewed live online at www.bataviadownscasino.com.