by Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Patience was a virtue for Kahoku on Friday night (Nov. 17) as his come from behind effort earned him a his sixth win of the year in the $10,000 Open Handicap trot.

Paul White photo

Kahoku comes out on top after a prolonged duel with BZ Glide to capture the co-featured event at Batavia Downs.

BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) shot right to the front and opened up a three-length lead while taking the field to the quarter in :28.2 and with everyone settled behind him, the half in :58.4.

As the group entered the second circuit, Kahoku (Kevin Cummings) came first-over and eventually worked his way next to the leader. The pair then matched strides to the three-quarters with neither one giving an inch. Around the last turn BZ Glide was inside with Kahoku to his right while Caprio and Cummings sparring in the bike like boxers in the ring.

As the race continued down the lane, the pair continued to trot in stride until 20 yards from the wire when Kahoku finally wore BZ Glide down and gained a length advantage under the finish line in 1:57.4.

It was the second win in the last three starts for Kahoku ($12.80) who is owned by Colleen Girdlestone and trainer by Priscilla “Sis” Mooney.

The combination of Cummings, Mooney and Girdlestone also took the major share from the co-featured $8,500 Open II trot one race earlier when Lutetium went wire-to-wire in handy fashion to win by a length in 1:57.2, which tied his seasonal mark.

It was the 57th lifetime win for Lutetium ($13.40) who is creeping up on a half-million in earnings for his career, with $446,087 in the bank.

As a result of no winning ticket again in the Pick-5 on Friday, there will be a guaranteed $6,000 early Pick-5 on Saturday night as part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Pool. The early Pick-5 runs from race one to race five.

Free past performance pages will be available at www.handicapping.ustrotting.com

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday evening (Nov.18) with post time for the first race at 6 p.m.