In the $9,000 featured Open trot Friday at Batavia Downs Casino, David McNeight III had the ideal trip to lead Perfect Man ($18.80) to victory
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Right off the gate, C J D Sale (John Cummings Jr) made a break from the rail which allowed Perfect Man, scoring from post two, to go out for the early lead. In the first turn, Hello Carlo (Chris Page) and Manfromnantucket (Jim McNeight) both went off stride making the field of competition even leaner. Meanwhile, heavy favourite Tuesdays With Mom (Jack Flanigen) avoided the traffic and came from the outside with a blast to pass Perfect Man for the lead by the quarter in :29.
Approaching the half, Fifty Two Finn (Kevin Cummings) came first over with potential to gain some ground on the mare as they hit that split in :58.3. But by the three-quarter pole, Tuesdays With Mom had reasserted command and was trotting strong in 1:28.2. As they hit the top of the stretch, the field was three wide and the oh-so-sweet inside lane opened for McNeight who took full advantage. Perfect Man won by a head in 1:58.2, a seasonal best. Hanging on for second was Tuesdays With Mom and Columbia County, who circled wide around the final turn, closing late for third. The 6-year-old gelding is owned by Michael Ouriel of Rochester, New York and trained by David McNeight Jr.
Chris Page had a night to remember when he gathered up a total of six wins Friday evening. Victory was achieved in the third with Off The Grid ($22.60), the fourth with Freckles Dream ($7.30), the fifth with Miss Walker ($3.60), the sixth with Bubalaur ($3.80), the eighth with Shipps Xtravaganza ($7.40) and the ninth with Aurora Borealus ($4.20).
Live harness racing resumes of Saturday night with events scheduled that include fame and fortune.
Five local high school students will go behind the starting gate after the evenings fourth race, for their share of $7,500 worth of scholarship money, on behalf of Batavia Downs Casino, Buffalo Raceway, Harness Horse Breeders of New York and the Western New York Horsemen Association.
Also, Ben Webster and Patsy C. Rapone will be installed in the Upstate New York Harness Racing Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2011 representing Batavia Downs with trackside ceremonies. Post time for Saturday is 6:40 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)