The long shots were the hot shots in the co-features at Batavia Downs Friday night.
Columbia County ($17.80) scored the victory in the $7,400 conditioned trot while the Ontario-owned and trained Pathtodover ($21.80) came from nowhere and nabbed the $7,400 Fillies and Mares Not Listed Preferred Pace.
In the first co-feature, Columbia County was able to weave through traffic the final quarter mile with driver Jame Dunlap and snatch the win.
Just before the three-quarter pole, Columbia County managed to get around the tiring pacesetter B Contemporary and Absolutely Certain, who was making a big four-wide move down the backstretch the final time.
Starbux Eden, who sat the pocket until the three-quarter marker, took command turning for home but stalled down the lane and Columbia County was able to trot home in 1:58.2 in posting the half-length victory. Starbux Eden (John Cummings Jr.) held on for second while Current Ca Ching (Dave McNeight III) was third.
Columbia County is trained by Batavia Downs' top conditioner Bobbi Jo Martin and is owned by Jeffry Myers of Bergen, New York. and Rickey Myers Phoenix, Arizona. The win was the 10th of the season for Columbia County and moved the six-year-old Sierra Kosmos gelding's earnings to $35,200 on the year.
Pathtodover, coming in from Western Fair in London, Ont., was sitting sixth in the field of eight and looked out of it at the three-quarter pole. L Diz (Shawn Gray), who set the fractions, looked home free at the top of the stretch.
That wasn't the case, however, Pathtodover unleashed a wicked stretch, covering the final quarter mile in :29.1 in registering an impressive length win in 1:56. L Diz kept the place position and Youre Too Funny (Jack Flanigen) finished third.
Trainer-driver Doug Bowins of Dundas, Ont. also owns the seven-year-old Straight Path mare. The win was Pathtodover's 10th of the year and improved her seasonal earnings to $66,880.
The season comes to a conclusion on Saturday night at Batavia Downs with a 12-race program scheduled to get underway at 6:25 p.m. The Upstate New York Harness Writer's Association "Night of Distinction" will take center stage as various local drivers, trainers and horses are honoured with awards throughout the evening.
The $1,000 Pick 6 Contest is also on tap. The contest is free to enter and the entire contest pool will be paid out to whoever picks the most winners. Sign-up to play begins at 5.p.m at Players Club.
(With files from Batavia Downs)