Keyodee Star and driver Jack Rice sat back and enjoyed a hot pace in front of them, then pounced on the leg-weary leaders in the stretch and won the $8,500 Open Trot at Batavia Downs by one and three-quarter lengths over BZ Glide in 1:59 on a damp, dreary Friday night.
Hour Lavec (John Cummings Jr.) set the scorching fractions of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:27.4 and then said 'good night' as Haste (Jim McNeight) and Mythical Hall (Kevin Cummings) battled for the lead around the final turn.
But with the wicked fractions, the race set up perfectly for the closers and Keyodee Star was by far the best. Going past the three-quarter marker, Keyodee Star was fourth on the outside, five and a quarter lengths behind the leader. He fanned out four-wide and gobbled up tons of ground with each stride, easily trotting past Haste for the win, while BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) rallied late to gain the second spot.
Owned by Joan Rae Ellafrits and Lynn Wilson, Keyodee Star ($18.80) has now won three times in 21 starts this season and has $25,235 in the bank. Maria Rice trains the seven-year-old Keystone Nordic-Hannah Star gelding, who now has lifetime earnings of $291,603.
Saturday will be a huge evening at Batavia Downs with two $61,000 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for three-year-old colt pacers, three legs worth $12,600 each of the Excelsior Series, and the always competitive $8,500 Open Pace. The $7,500 'Dash For Cash' is also on tap as five high school seniors team up with professional drivers and compete for some large scholarship money. And to top it off, it's 'Dollar Days' with $1 Sahlen hot dogs, sodas and draft beer. All the action gets underway at 6:30 p.m. with an outstanding 13-race card scheduled.
(With files from Batavia Downs)