For the second week-in-a-row, the margin of victory was less than a quarter length in the $9,000 Open Trot at Batavia Downs. And for the second Sunday afternoon in a row, it was Big Baller who was in front at the wire by a slight margin.

Big Baller ($5.50) held off the rally of Serious George in the stretch and recorded the quarter-length victory in 1:58.1 over the fast track. Last week, Bill Baller rallied from fourth down the stretch and nipped A Hay Luva Paige by a head to win the Open Trot.

Driver John Cummings, Jr., who had four wins on the program, took the lead just before the half-mile marker and played "catch-me-if-you-can" from there. Serious George and driver Jack Flanigen tried to do just that, but couldn't run down the winner, coming up just short. Kash N Credit (Jim McNeight) took the show position.

Big Baller, a five-year-gelding owned by Curran Racing LLC and Adam Michael of Red Hook, N.Y. now has five wins in 2012 and earnings of $42,053. Bobbi Jo Martin trained the winner.

It was a good day for Jack Flanigen as well as he found the winner's circle four times while Milo Zdjelar, Jr. and Sue Stockwell posted a training double.

(Batavia Downs)