BATAVIA — After coming up just short in his local debut last week, Spicy Hops rebounded with a big win in the $11,000 featured trot at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept.5 ) night.

The heavily favored Crazy Ritz (Jim McNeight Jr.) made a break behind the gate before Spicy Hops (Dave McNeight III) and Latavius (Jim Morrill Jr.) traded leads going to the quarter. Spicy Hops finally took the front for good after Latavius pocketed-up, and led the field to a soft half of :59.3. It was there that Double Class (Drew Monti) pulled first-over and pressed the leader up the backstretch and around turn four, where Double Class started to wane. But as Spicy Hops entered the stretch, Latavius came to life in the passing lane and matched strides with Spicy Hops all the way to the wire. However spicy Hops nev

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