Big Baller is making the half-mile track at Batavia Downs his own personal playground. After arriving at Batavia Downs from Canada in early August, Big Baller has been nothing but impressive.

The five-year-old gelded son of Panama Hanover has now made it three wins out of his last four starts in the $9,000 Open Trot, including his grinding victory Friday night over the sloppy track. He is one of the early favourites for Horse of the Year at the Downs.

Sitting in the garden spot behind the favoured pacesetting Under The Stars (Jim McNeight Jr.), Big Baller and driver Shawn Gray tipped to the outside down the stretch. Slowly but methodically, Big Baller collared Under The Stars in deep stretch and registered a head win in 2:01.1. Typical Newyorker (Jack Flanigen) finished third.

Big Baller ($6.90), trained by Bobbi Jo Martin, now has three wins and two second place finishes in his six starts at Batavia Downs. Owned by Curran Racing LLC of Red Hook, New York and Adam Michael of Passaic, New Jersey, Big Baller now has bankrolled $49,120 on the season.

The racing action continues on Saturday night at Batavia Downs with a 13-race card set to begin at 6:25 p.m. The feature is the $9,000 Open Pace where LeReina Road and driver David McNeight III are the 5-2 morning line favourites, scoring off the rail. The third annual "Dash For Cash" race will be held as well with $7,500 in college scholarships up for grabs for participating area high school seniors. It's also "Old-Fashioned Night" at the Downs with 50-cent Sahlen’s hot dogs and sodas.

(Batavia Downs)