Plainville, MA — Debilitating weather conditions greeted the contestants as a Nor’easter blew through Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon (Nov. 12). However, the swirling winds and constant downpours could not prevent Joey Bats from going gate-to-wire to get his first win of the year after taking the $25,000 Winners-Over Handicap Trot.

Joey Bats refused to lose on Friday and gamely hung on to the victory in a season’s best 1:57. Tom Melanson photo.

Kevin Switzer Jr. mushed Joey Bats to the lead by the quarter and would not get caught from there. After Joey Bats reached the half in :58.3, Golden Kronos (Drew Monti) came calling on the outside and made things interesting to the wire.

After a :28.1 third quarter, Golden Kronos drew even with Joey Bats and the two trotters were fully engaged coming off the turn. With strong urging put forth by both drivers, Joey Bats and Golden Kronos were neck and neck all the way down the lane. But Joey Bats refused to lose on Friday and gamely hung on to the victory in a season’s best 1:57.

Joey Bats ($8.60) enhanced his lifetime earnings with the win and now shows $380,952 on the card for owners Scott Dillon and Michele Nelson. Joe Nelson trains the gelding.

Switzer and Nelson hooked up earlier in the day with Lexus Markus (1:59.4, $3.00) to give each two wins in their respective categories.

In the secondary featured $17,500 conditioned trot, Esa (Jay Randall) got away last and watched as New Legacy (Monti) stepped to the half in :57.4. But things changed when Randall tipped Esa out and advanced on the attack. Esa hooked the leader in the final turn, got the advantage at the top of the lane and trotted home the best by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58.

Esa ($21.00) garnered his fifth win of the year for owner Bill Reepmeyer and Jackie Greene, who also trains the horse.

Jay Randall ended the day with two wins on the card.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Sunday (Nov. 14) with post time at 1 p.m.