Western Alumni is finding out that the pocket is paradise at Batavia Downs.

For the second consecutive week, Western Alumni got the perfect trip and exploded to an easy one and a half length win in the $8,500 Open Pace at Batavia Downs Saturday night. Western Alumni ($9) covered the mile in 1:55.1 over the fast track.

Union Man Hanover (Shawn McDonough) played give-and-go with Western Alumni at the start and carried the lead through the three-quarter marker. But it was Western Alumni from there. After sitting a perfect second until the final turn, winning driver Jack Rice pulled Western Alumni from the pocket and easily drove past the tiring Union Man and left the remainder of the field in his wake. Naked News (Jim McNeight) skimmed the pylons for second while Le Reina Road (David McNeight III) took third, but posed no threat to the winner down the stretch.

Western Alumni is owned by Tammy Lonkey and trained by Jerry Nugent Jr. It was the seventh win in 26 starts this season for the five-year-old gelding and moved Western Alumni's seasonal earnings to $46,972.

The Saturday program was highlighted by Ron Beback Jr. and Greg Merton, who both had grand slams to lead all drivers. Downs top conditioner John Mungillo had a hat trick.

The first matinee of the season will be held this Sunday with a 1:15 p.m. start for the 12-race program. It's also $1 Days with $1 Sahlen's hot dogs, sodas and draft beers.

(Batavia Downs)