A Work In Progress, owned by Betty Tauber of East Brunswick, New Jersey, went wire-to-wire to win the $8,500 featured Open II Handicap Friday night at Batavia Downs

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Put right on the lead by Ken “Doc” Holliday, A Work In Progress withstood a challenge from favorite Fessup Fred (Kevin Cummings) up the backside and the late bids of pocket sitter Craiger (Jimmy Whisman) and a closing Manfromnantucket (Jack Flanigen) to score by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:59.

Driver Ken Holliday returned to the sulky on Wednesday after being sidelined for almost two months with a farm injury.

Tom Agosti had quite a day and evening. While jogging in the morning he was thrown and dragged after the horse he was training broke his bit. He spent the afternoon getting checked out at the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo and returned just in time to drive home four winners. Agosti suffered only minor scraps and has some discomfort in his back but besides that is fine.

(With files from Batavia Downs)