Mythical Hall showed plenty of heart down the stretch and held off upset-minded Keyodee Star by a nose Friday night to capture the $8,500 Open Trot at Batavia Downs in 1:58.

Driven by Ron Beback Jr., the heavily favoured Mythical Hall ($2.90), in typical fashion, set the fractions of :28, :57.4, 1:27.2 and used a :30.3 final panel to seal the victory. Keyodee Star (Jack Rice), sent off at 24-1, was first over at the half and slowly, but methodically, cut into front-runner's lead. But Mythical Hall wasn't going to be denied and managed to keep a nose in front at the wire. The win was Mythical Hall's win in his last four starts in the Open. Hour Lavec (David McNeight III) skimmed the pylons was a distant third.

Owned by Mark Jakubik and trained by J.D. Perrin, Mythical Hall now has eight wins in 24 starts in 2013 and $67,442 in earnings. The five-year-old gelding's career bankroll are now over $330,000.

Racing resumes on Saturday night when a strong 13-race card is presented with a 6:30 p.m. post. The feature is the sixth race, the $8,500 Open Pace, with OK Braveheart installed as the 5-2 morning line favourite. Shawn McDonough will be aboard OK Braveheart, last week's Open winner at Buffalo Raceway in 1:55.4, and will score from the rail.

It's also a busy promotional night at the nation's oldest lighted harness track. It is 'Welcome Back Night' with $1 Sahlen's hot dogs, draft beers and sodas, free racing programs and a 'Welcome Back' booklet, which includes free wagers and food coupons throughout the season. It's also another round of 'Horse For Horse' with Elizabeth.

(Batavia Downs)