by Todd Haight, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — John Guy Lauzon’s Gamesmanship was put right on the lead when the gates opened and never really had an anxious moment in cruising to victory in the featured $10,000 Open Trot on Friday (Oct. 6) at Batavia Downs Gaming.

Batavia Downs Gaming photo

Gamesmanship scored in the Friday night Open Trot.

A 7-year-old son of Yankee Glide, Gamesmanship, with Ken Holliday in the bike for the first time, opened up a big early lead as the field of seven went past the first quarter in :28.1. Still maintaining a big advantage racing past the half in :57.3, Holliday had the former Wilkes Memorial winner trotting up a storm as they reached the three-quarters in a brisk 1:27.3.

Rounding the final turn, eventual second place finisher and last week’s Open winner Score, with Tom Agosti, was on the move from second and favored Kami’s Call, with Keith Kash, Jr., who was raging with trot last time out, was beginning to close in from third.

Down the lane, however, it was simply a case of Holliday keeping Gamesmanship going as he had an insurmountable lead and coasted to the wire by a length, scoring in 1:59 flat.

Winning for the fifth time this season, Gamesmanship raised his seasonal earnings to over $31,000 and lifetime earnings to $103,915. Going off at 5-1, he returned $12.40. He is trained by John Lauzon.

Biggest night of the season

The place to be on October 7 in Western New York is Batavia Downs Gaming.

In addition to the fourth annual $25,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace, which has attracted a super field of six with combined earnings of over $3.4 million, the co-featured $12,500 Open Pace shapes up as a great race as well.

Gallo Blue Chip, the richest pacer of all-time, will be in the winner’s circle at 7:00 p.m. Racing fans should bring their cameras as they will be allowed to enter the winner’s circle to take photos with the champion. He will also lead the post parade for the Kane Memorial Pace.

The leading dash-winning driver in North America, Tony Morgan, will be in town to drive in the first 11 races on the card, including driving the favorite, He Wants It All, in the Kane Memorial.

Mickey Burke, who leads North America in training wins, will send out a pair of horses including Edison Hanover in the Kane Pace.

In conjunction with the Kane Memorial Pace, there will be a t-shirt giveaway. Racing programs purchased beginning at 6:00 p.m. will have a coupon in them that can be redeemed after the featured eighth race in the downstairs paddock room for a free t-shirt.

Racing fans planning on dining should make a reservation as the clubhouse is usually sold out on Saturday night and is filling up fast. The number to call is (585) 343-3750.

Owned by Western Regional Off-Track Betting, Batavia Downs Gaming offers the best of simulcast action and video gaming. The gaming floor is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. seven days a week.