Hanover Raceway: Joey Bats dominant in Dream Of Glory final

Joey Bats, named after Major League Baseball slugger Jose Bautista, knocked one out of the park in Saturday night's C$58,700 Dream Of Glory final for 3-year-old trotters at Ontario's Hanover Raceway, romping to a 1:57 2/5 win.

With Bruce Richardson filling in for Bob McClure, who was at the Meadowlands for the Hambletonian card, Joey Bats made front from post six and was unchallenged through fractions of 28 3/5, 58 2/5, and 1:27 3/5 over the half-mile oval.

Joey Bats got separation on the field past three-quarters, and he continued to pour it on through the lane, widening to prevail by 8 1/2 lengths to the roar of the crowd. Gotta Pay To Play (Wayne Henry), who made a three-wide move off dull cover in the backstretch, got up to be second, with Sicario (Matthew Bax) also coming on from well-back to collect third.

A gelding by Holiday Road, Joey Bats is trained by Keith Jones for owner Douglas McCarthy. This was Joey Bats's fifth career victory, and he has now earned C$138,365. The favorite in the race, he paid $4.30 to win.