Focus Power tripped out to a two-length victory in the $10,000 Open Handicap Pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday, September 23.
Leading-driver Drew Monti sent Focus Power off the gate and took the lead, soon yielding to Fireyourguns, who grabbed the front by the quarter in :26.2. Fireyourguns then set splits of :55.3 and 1:24.1 while Focus Power drafted in the pocket.
Unchallenged, the two rounded the final turn in line before Monti popped Focus Power out of the pocket, overtaking Fireyourguns and pacing to a 1:52.4 career-best performance.
It was the third win in the last four starts for Focus Power, earning $81,470 so far this year. The five-year-old gelded son of Shadow Play is owned by James Caradori and trained by Darrin Monti. He paid $6.40 to win.
In the $9,000 Open II pace, Santana Beach went gate to wire, winning by eight lengths in 1:53. Owned by Jason Newell, trained by Richard Roth, and driven by John Cummings Jr., he paid $13.80 to win.
Racing Under Saddle New York had a non-betting event after the seventh race, taken by Funny Photo and Sophie Engerran in 2:04.3.
Funny Photo led the entire race, cutting fractions of :30.4, 1:02.3 and 1:33.3. Turning for home, One True Friend made up seven lengths to contest for the front, eventually coming short as Funny Photo held the lead at the wire.
Funny Photo is owned by Sophie Engerran and is trained by Kimberly Gilman-Daios.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, September 27 with post time at 5 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)