By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
(Photo courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery)
Batavia, NY — A patient drive by driver Matt Kakaley paid big dividends for Desperate Man, who won the $100,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 24) night.
Typhoon Banner N (Joe Bongiorno) and Coaches Corner (Jason Bartlett) traded leads to the :26.4 quarter while Desperate Man traveled a close fourth. After Coaches Corner finally settled on the lead, Buzzsaw Russ (John De Long) pulled first-over early at three-eighths and Desperate Man followed closely behind his cover.
They were in two rows heading up the backstretch with Buzzsaw Russ drawing alongside Coaches Corner and just as he was ready to cross over at three-quarters, he made a break, causing Kakaley to grab up Desperate Man as they made their way into the turn. Coaches Corner was clear by two lengths with Typhoon Banner right behind and Desperate Man now back in gear in the breeze. At the top of the stretch, Desperate Man was in full flight and making up ground with every stride and in deep stretch, Desperate Man bolted home on top by 1-¼ lengths in 1:51.3.
It was the third straight win and 25th career victory for Desperate Man ($3.70) who increased his lifetime bank to $1,320,279 for owner Kathy Cecchin. Travis Alexander trains the 6-year-old gelded son of Shadow Play-Dreamlands Latte.