by Todd Haight, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Sandra Compton’s popular local pacer Michael Scores established a new track record of 1:52.1 in winning the fourth annual $25,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace on Saturday night (Oct. 7) at Batavia Downs Gaming.

The previous mark of 1:53.2 was set in 1993 by Getting Personal.

Thanks to a great 12-race program, a T-shirt giveaway, a guest appearance by the richest pacer of all time, Gallo Blue Chip, a car giveaway on the gaming floor and some beautiful weather in western New York, the biggest crowd of the season was on hand to witness the new track record. The leading dash driver in North America, Tony Morgan, was also in town to drive for the evening.

Batavia Downs Gaming photo

Michael Scores lowered the Batavia track record to 1:52.1.

Michael Scores, with Kevin Cummings in the bike, got away fourth as the impressive field of six, with combined lifetime earnings of over $3.4 million, raced to the opening quarter in a blistering :26.3. Chewy Gross, with Jim Morrill, Jr., was on top but was being pushed along by a parked-out Edison Hanover and John Cummings, Jr.

As the field reached the half-mile in :55.4, Chewy Gross and a still parked-out Edison Hanover were nose-to-nose while Michael Scores had tipped to the outside to follow up second-over. In the meantime, 4-5 betting favorite He Wants It All and Tony Morgan were watching all the early action from the pocket.

Racing to the three-quarters, “Michael” and Kevin made their move, tipping three deep up the backside to get around Edison Hanover and they were quickly up to challenge a softened up Chewy Gross, reaching the three-quarters in 1:24 flat.

Taking the lead rounding the final turn, Michael Scores was clear into the homestretch of the Kane and it was simply a race against the clock as He Wants It All never really got close. He Wants It All parlayed that good two hole trip into a second best finish while early leader Chewy Gross finished third. The official margin of victory was 2-1/2 lengths.

A 5-year-old son of Held For Ransom, also owned by the Comptons, Michael Scores won for the 17th time this season, raising his seasonal earnings to over $100,000 and lifetime earnings to over $375,000. Trained by Jim Compton, Michael Scores went off at odds of 6-1 and returned $15.40 to win.