Batavia Downs: Foiled Again wins Kane Memorial, scores 90th career victory

The incomparable Foiled Again was in the winner's circle for the 90th time in his illustrious career after he got up in the stretch to win the $50,000 Robert Kane Memorial Pace on Saturday night at Batavia Downs in 1:52 2/5.

Driven by Kevin Cummings, Foiled Again got away in fifth in the field of six while Scott Rocks (John Cummings Jr.) shot through from the inside to grab the lead. 1-5 favorite Mel Mara (Jim Morrill Jr.) moved out of the pocket to try and take away the front from Scott Rocks before the 26 4/5 opening quarter, but Cummings Jr. put the whip up and drove on, forcing Morrill Jr. to retreat back into the two-hole.

Scott Rocks would go on to reach the half in 54 4/5, but Polak A (Shawn Gray) had come first-over out of third prior to that post, and he would advance to engage and then overtake Scott Rocks before the 1:22 4/5 three-quarters. Foiled Again had been third-over behind Polak A and Southwind Amazon (Shawn McDonough), but Cummings had him three-wide at three-quarters, and he began to quickly advance.

Foiled Again surged into second on the final turn, and in the stretch he would join Polak A in a fight to the finish. Showing the heart and deterimination that he has throughout his career, Foiled Again would get by Polak A late, then pull away to win by a length and a quarter. Mel Mara, who got stuck behind the retreating Scott Rocks, had to settle for third.

"When I tipped him three-wide I thought Shawn was a little empty, so when I rolled up on him, I was pretty confident he had him," Cummings said.

Ron Burke trains Foiled Again, a 12-year-old Dragon Again gelding, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., and JJK Stables LLC. The winner's share of the purse boosted his career earnings to $7,441,508. Sent off at 9-1, Foiled Again paid $20.20 to win.