Batavia, NY — Fresh off his 1:53.2, three-length career-best win at Woodbine Mohawk Park last week, Victor Invictus made the trip down the QEW to Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 10) and went gate to wire to win again in the $13,500 Open Handicap trot.
Victor Invictus (driven by Mike Whelan) left from post 1 and trotted to the half in :59.2. At that point, Double Class (Kyle Cummings) was out and rolling right next to Victor Invictus, and matched strides with the leader to three-quarters in 1:28, around the last turn and into the stretch. But as the race headed for home, Victor Invictus methodically edged away from Double Class by three-quarters of a length in deep stretch and won in 1:57.1.
It was the 11th win of the year for the venerable 10-year-old, and the victory pushed his career earnings north of $300,000, now showing $303,940 on his card. The gelded son of Kadabra-Whitesand Electra is owned by his trainer, Ken Middleton Jr., in partnership with Dante Sindori and Peter Kurjancic. Victor Invictus paid $15.70 to win.
The co-featured $13,500 Open Handicap pace was won by Livonjaxandqueens, who followed cover to victory.
Livonjaxandqueens (Brett MacDonald) got away fourth as Ontop Rainman (Mike Whelan) and Primo Uomo (Kevin Cummings) traded leads passing the quarter in :28. Once finally on top, Primo Uomo got to the half in :57 and was quickly under duress from Lip Reader A (Drew Monti), who had Livonjaxandqueens following right on his back.
Lip Reader A continued to press until he got the lead at three-quarters and crossed over before the turn. That left Livonjaxandqueens uncovered in the breeze around that final bend, but he just kept matching strides with the leader. When they straightened for home, Livonjaxandqueens passed Lip Reader A in mid-stretch and pulled away under wraps by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:54.1.
It was the eighth win of the year for Livonjaxandqueens, who is owned by Howard Ouriel and Andrew Ouriel and trained by Jim Rothfuss. He paid $5.68.
Joe Chindano Jr. led all drivers on Saturday with three wins while Bradley Jackson topped all trainers with two wins of his own.
Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Monday (Oct. 12) for a special holiday matinee card at 12:15 p.m. (EDT) and there will be a $14,851 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the 11th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia Downs can always be downloaded at the track’s website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab. And you can watch all the races live as they happen for free on the Batavia Downs YouTube page.