It was lights, camera, action for Famous Dan on Friday night, Nov. 1 after he muscled his way to the top and then cruised home a winner in the $13,194 featured trot at Batavia Downs.
Kevin Cummings and Famous Dan fought with Arrakis (Joe Chindano Jr.) and Topolino (Dave McNeight III) to the quarter in :28.2 before crossing over to the lead he would maintain for the remainder of the race. Once in control, Famous Dan trotted to the half in :59.4 and three-quarters in 1:29.3, where he started to pull away from the field. Unchallenged from there, Famous Dan swung around the final bend, entered the top of the lane and found his way home the best by five in 1:58.4. Crazy Brother Jim (Rock Vinci) won the race for place over Topolino.
Famous Dan is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith. The five-year-old Dover Dan-Silvia gelding notched his fourth win of the season from 35 starts. Sent off as the 1-2 favourite, he paid $3 to win.
There was a major upset in the last race on the card when Bolt Of Beauty (1:58, Kyle Cummings) made a three-quarters, three-wide move to victory at 40-1 and paid $82.50 to win. It also triggered a single unique Jackpot Super Hi-5 combination of 8-9-5-3-1 that returned $2,910.30 for a 20-cent wager.
Dave McNeight III topped all drivers on Friday with three wins while trainers Betty Clegg and John Leggio each won two.
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Nov. 2 with post time at 6 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)