by Brian J. Mazurek, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — BZ Glide used a lifetime best time of 1:57.2 to register a narrow head victory over the heavily-favored Ziegfeld in the $8,500 Open Trot at Batavia Downs on Sunday afternoon. It capped off a great weekend for driver Mike Caprio as he swept both the Open Pace with Fireyourguns on Saturday night and the Open Trot with BZ Glide on Sunday afternoon.

Rocky Boy (Jacques Beaudoin) went to the top and set some snappy fractions of 28.0, 57.4 and 1:26.2 over the fast track. But as the field of seven turned for home, Rocky Boy called it a day and dropped anchor. BZ Glide, overlooked by the betting public at 9-1, sat the pocket and tipped inside while Ziegfeld went to the outside in the charge to the finish line. BZ Glide ($21.20) under Caprio’s encouragement, managed to stick a head in front in the shadow of the wire while Ziegfeld (Ray Fisher Jr.) had to settle for the place spot in a very game effort. Sam Can (Shawn McDonough) got up late for third.

The victory was the third in 14 starts this season for BZ Glide and increased his earnings to $24,086 in 2013 and $34,815 lifetime for owner Mike Caprio. Alana Caprio trains the 4-year-old.

Batavia Downs’ leading driver Greg Merton and Kevin Cummings each had two wins on the card.