For the second consecutive week, Goodnite Goodluck ($6.60) was put in 'long-term parking,' but once again he managed to survive the brutally long trip and snag the $8,500 Open Pace at Batavia Downs on a cold Saturday night (Nov. 23) in 1:58.1 over a good track.
The win was the second straight in the Open Pace and fourth in a row for the razor-sharp Goodluck Goodluck. He now has 10 wins on the season and $69,010 in the bank.
Most Happy Rider (Kevin Cummings) handed out the parking tickets as Goodnite Goodluck (Ron Beback Jr.) was never able to get to the rail. The tandem set fractions of :27.3, :57.3 and 1:27.2. Everyone in the field of seven had a shot as they turned for home, but Goodnite Goodluck showed plenty of pace and heart, prevailing over Unicorn Hanover (Greg Merton) by a quarter-length while Most Happy Rider ran a game third.
Goodnite Goodluck (Bettors Delight-Priority Overnight) is a seven-year-old horse owned by Mark Jakubik and trained by JD Perrin. He now has earned $291,397 in his career.
Drivers Jim McNeight, Ken Holliday, Greg Merton and Ron Beback Jr. all recorded doubles on Saturday night.
Harness racing action resumes on Wednesday night with 12 races on tap. The feature will be the opener on the card where a field of seven will go to the post in the $8,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace. Red Star Fiona seeks her 14th win of the season and will start from the six-hole with Ray Fisher Jr. in the sulky.
There are just six live racing programs left on the 2013 schedule with the season finale on Saturday, December 7.
(Batavia Downs)