Big Baller Beane ($7.60) finally got a post position where he could use his early speed and he took full advantage of that situation to go coast to coast in Buffalo Raceway's $21,918 Open Handicap Trot on Friday, June 27. He beat Uncle Archie by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58.4 over the sloppy track.

In his last two consecutive starts from outside post positions, Big Baller Beane had no chance to use his early gate speed. But getting the three post for driver Kevin Cummings on Friday afternoon, that opportunity finally arose. Battling Uncle Archie for early bragging rights, Big Baller Beane was able to cross over and put up splits of :29, :59.1 and 1:29.1.

There was a wall of horses behind Big Baller Beane looking to rally for the win as the field turned for home but their attempts came up way short. The pocket-sitting Uncle Archie (Jim Morrill Jr.) held on for second place while Dealin With Dewey (Brett MacDonald) rallied from last place to collect the third-place cheque.

The five-year-old gelded Father Patrick-Global Decision gelding is trained by Angelo Nappo and owned by Pennsylvania's Kathy Schoeffel and New York's James Reuther and Roger Romesser. The victory was his fourth in 19 tries on the season and 15th overall, pushing his earnings over $250,000.

Downtown Tonight ($16.20) ventured up from Tioga Downs riding a four-race win streak into a $19,863 conditioned pace for the fillies and mares. She left making it five consecutive victories with a head decision over Firstofanera in 1:57.2.

After playing give and go with bettors' choice Scenic Adventure (Jim Morrill Jr.) for early command, Downtown Tonight and Joseph Chindano Jr. laid down splits of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:27.3 as the favoured rival followed along in the pocket. Turning for home, Downtown Tonight looked in charge as Scenic Adventure seemed to have lost interest. But things didn't come easy as Firstofanera (Brett MacDonald) came flying from seventh place but just came up a head short to Downtown Tonight in trying to pull out the massive comeback. Sweet Gadgets (Steve Hudon) was third.

Downtown Tonight, a four-year-old Shanghai Phil-Fanciful mare, is trained by James Clouser Jr. and owned by Summer Wind Stable of NY. A 10-time winner in 16 seasonal starts, she now boasts 17 career wins with more than $132,000 in purse earnings.  

Joseph Chindano Jr. and Drew Monti each had three victories on the program with Kevin Cummings, James McNeight Jr. and David McNeight II each doubling. Courtney Wright, Jeff Martin and Angelo Nappo each had two training wins.

Racing will return on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a 14-race card to be presented.

(With files from Buffalo Raceway)