Ziegfeld and driver Jim Morrill Jr. let others do the dirty work for the first three-quarters of a mile, but when it was time to respond, they did just that in the $9,000 Open Trot at Batavia Downs Friday night.
Ziegfeld ($7.70) sat patiently second over past the three-quarters pole as pacesetter Baileys Magic and Typical New Yorker battled to that station in 1:28.3. But as the field turned for home, Morrill Jr. tipped Ziegfeld three-wide and easily trotted away to the one length victory over Perfect Man (Dave McNeight III) and Touch Me (Shawn Gray) in 1:59.
Owned by JML Stables of Heathrow, Florida, Ziegfeld has now recorded seven wins in 32 starts and increased his earning to $44,562 on the season. Gerry Sarama trained the winner.
A nasty spill occurred in the 11th race when Dawn Of Trey (Kevin Cummings) appeared to hit the wheel of tiring pacesetter Ricks Jackpot (Jim McNeight) and went down. Both horses and drivers walked off under their own power.
The $9,000 Open Pace is the feature on the 13-race card Saturday night with What The Sheik and Morrill Jr. the morning line favourite at 2-1. What The Sheik won last week's Open in 1:53.1. The first post is set for 6:25 p.m.
A trip to Las Vegas will also be given away on Saturday night at Batavia Downs after the seventh race. To be eligible, you must enter at the Player's Extra booth anytime after 5 p.m. and you need not be present to win.
(With files from Batavia Downs)