Driver Bruce Richardson sent 6-5 favourite Joey Bats to the top and gradually opened a wide lead in progress to an eight-and-a-half length blowout in the $58,700 Dream of Glory Final at Hanover Raceway on Saturday, Aug. 4, winning in 1:57.2.

The gelding by Holiday Road led Miller Time to the quarter in :28.3. Delcrest Holiday moved first over heading to the half, carrying Gotta Pay To Play second over and Sicario third over. By the half in :58.2, Delcrest Holiday stalled five lengths behind the unchallenged leader, forcing Gotta Pay To Play three wide with Sicario tracking. Joey Bats held a two-length lead at three-quarters in 1:27.3.

Miller Time continued to chase from the pocket, three-and-a-quarter lengths from the front, into the stretch. Gotta Pay To Play charged into third with Sicario closing ground as well. Joey Bats gained another five lengths to the wire finishing in front of Gotta Pay To Play with Sicario another two lengths away in third.

Joey Bats won his fourth race in 13 starts this season and his fifth in 21 overall, collecting $138,365. The sophomore gelding out of the Muscles Yankee mare Jn Daytona who is trained by Keith Jones for owner Douglas Mccarthy. He paid $4.30 to win.

Richardson picked up the drive from Bob McClure after McClure was unable to make it back in time from his afternoon drives at The Meadowlands.

(Standardbred Canada)