Photo of A F F Bigdaddy with reinsman Denny Bucceri in the lead.
By TIm Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
A F F Bigdaddy continued to be a hot horse among the top class pacers at Batavia Downs as he won his second straight $11,500 Open Handicap pace on Saturday (Oct. 13).
The race got away in post position order meaning Bugatti (Jim Morrill Jr.) was calling the shots. After reaching the quarter in :28 flat, In Runaway Bay (Kevin Cumming) pulled first-up at the three-eighths and brought A F F Bigdaddy (Denny Bucceri) with him. Now in two rows, positions remained unchanged from the half to the three-quarters with the race proceeding in a timely 1:25.3.
As the pacers were rounding the final turn, Bucceri swung A F F Bigdaddy three-deep at the apex and it was clear the pair meant business. Under a full head of steam, A F F Bigdaddy paced by In Runaway Bay and then Bugatti before opening up a three length lead and hitting the wire a wrapped-up 1:54.1 winner.
It was the fifth win in the last eights starts for A F F Bigdaddy ($10.80) who now has seven for the year along with $41,393 in earnings. Jennifer and Marcus Rogowski own the 5-year-old Sir Luck gelding who is trained by Steve Kiblin,
In the $9,900 Open II Handicap, Cool Like Fire (Billy Davis Jr.) came from off the pace late amidst a four-horse charge down the lane to win his fifth race of the year by a length in a time of 1:54.2. Cool Like Fire ($14.20) is owned by WIlliam Emmons and is trained by Jim Clouser Jr.
Four drivers scored doubles on Saturday night. Drew Monti, Jim Morrill Jr., Billy Davis Jr. and Denny Bucceri all got a pair across during the proceedings.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon with post time set for 5 o'clock.
