(Photo of BZ Glide and driver Mike Caprio courtesy of Paul White.)
By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations
After coming off two subpar performances and no wins since July, BZ Glide put on the performance of his life in winning the $10,000 Open trot feature at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 11)
Winkys Pride (Drew Monti) took an immediate lead at the start of the race while BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) left just enough from post five to tuck in third. Monti took the field through a soft :58.2 half until Caprio swung out at that station to start his assault.
BZ Glide advanced with machine-like precision up the backside while trotting a :28.2 third panel. His momentum continued around the far turn as his margin of dominance widened. He trotted down the lane without a challenge from the field or encouragement from his driver and in victory, set a new lifetime mark of 1:56.3.
It was the fifth win in 13 starts this year for BZ Glide ($4.90) and the effort increased his earnings to $37,445 for 2015. The 6-year-old Yankee Glide gelding is owned by the Caprio Stable, LLC, and trained by Alana Caprio.
Drivers Mike Caprio, Jim McNeight and Dave McNeight III all scored driving doubles on the card.
One of the biggest win mutuels in recent memory occurred in the sixth race when Stirling Cadillac (Mike Caprio) overcame post 8 to win at 77-1 and return $156. The exorbitant payoff triggered some lofty exotics as well. The 8-3 exacta paid $3,428 and the 8-3-all trifecta returned $4,169.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on tonight night (Sept. 12) with the first post set at 6:35.
