Big Baller used a big brush and a :28.4 third-quarter that proved to be the difference in winning the $9,000 Open Trot on a cold Friday night at Batavia Downs.

Sitting third down in front of the grandstand the first time, driver Dan Noble tipped Big Baller ($11.60) to the outside and was first over. The tandem eventually snagged the pacesetting Typical Newyorker midway down the backstretch the final time. From there, Big Baller trotted away from the field on the 36 degree night, extending their lead to three lengths. That quarter proved to be too much for the rest of the field as Big Baller turned in a winning time of 1:59.1 over the fast track.

Ziegfeld (Jim Morrill Jr.) came on for second two lengths back while A Hay Luva Paige (Shawn Gray), coming off another excuse-filled trip, rallied wide for show.

Owned by Curran Racing LLC of Red Hook, New York and Adam Michael of Passaic, New Jersey, Big Baller has now scored eight wins in 35 starts in 2012, including five wins in the Open Trot during the summer-fall meet, making him one of the favourites for local Horse of the Year honours. The five-year-old Panama Hanover gelding, trained by Bobbi Jo Martin, has now earned $64,575 on the season.

A 12-race program is scheduled for Saturday night with post time set for 6:25 p.m. The feature, the $9,000 Open Pace, is slated for the seventh race with What The Sheik and driver Jim Morrill Jr. selected as the 5-2 morning line favourite out of the seven-hole. What The Sheik has won two of the past three Open Paces.

Also, a Breeder's Cup party will be held Saturday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the Paddock Room. For $10, patrons will receive a Breeder's Cup t-shirt, $5 in casino free play, an "All-American" plate and a free Breeder's Cup program.

(With files from Batavia Downs)