A bad break for Fireyourguns turned out to be a good break for Naked News in the $8,500 Open Pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night.
Fireyourguns (Mike Caprio) looked like a winner at the top of the stretch, holding a comfortable two-length lead. But that's where trouble struck as the favoured pacesetting Fireyourguns took a bad step and thus broke stride momentarily, losing any chance of getting to the wire first.
Naked News ($8.80), who seemed destined for second, stayed clear of trouble and ended up putting in a lifetime-best effort of 1:54.1, winning by two and a half lengths over the fast track. All My Friends Say (Elliott Deaton) took second while Spender Hanover (Drew Monti) got up for the show spot. Fireyourguns finished fourth, but was placed sixth for interference.
Owned by the Summer Wind Stable, Naked News has now earned $61,015 on the season and is one of the favourites for Western New York Horse of the Year. It was the eighth win in 28 seasonal starts for Naked News, who is trained by Bob Gruber III.
Greg Merton, the dashing leader driver at the Downs, and Shawn McDonough both notched hat tricks on the Saturday program.
Racing will continue Sunday afternoon at 1:15 p.m. with a 12-race card. The feature will be the $8,500 Open I-II Handicap Trot scheduled for the ninth race. Mach Ten (Kevin Cummings) has the rail and is the 5-2 morning line favourite. Keyodee Star (Jack Rice) is the second choice at 3-1 and will start from the three-hole. It's also Dollar Days at Batavia Downs Sunday with $1 Sahlen's hot dogs, sodas and draft beers.
(Batavia Downs)