Press Release:
Batavia, NY--Arm And A Leg, already the favorite to be named Western New York Harness Horse of the Year, made a statement that he’s also looking for Horse of the Meet honors as well, when he won his sixth Open Handicap pace of the season, at Batavia Downs Casino, on Saturday night (Nov.21).
Arm And A Leg, with Batavia Downs' leading reinsman Kevin Cummings in the sulky, appeared to be perfectly spotted second-over as the $9,000 Open field moved around the clubhouse turn. That perfect trip quickly changed, however, heading to three-quarters as the field began to bunch and Arm And A Leg now found himself in a terrible blindswitch.
Around the final turn and at the top of the stretch Arm And A Leg was still all bottled with no place to go but the crafty Cummings was able to split horses in midstretch and go on to victory in 1.56.2 for owners Mark J. Jakubik and John P. Cummings Sr., who is also the trainer.
This was the 13th victory of the 2009 campaign for Arm And A Leg, a 6-year-old Nobleland Sam gelding, and it raised his seasonal earnings to $86,000. He’s won an impressive 25 times the last two year.
Another horse making a serious run for Horse of the Meet honors, New York Prime (Tom Agosti), came on to be second despite racing extremely wide around the final bend, while last week's open winner, Oh Gee Whiz (Sam Schillaci), who also had a wide trip, finished third.
In addition to winning the Open, Kevin Cummings won the Open II with former Downs track record holder Michael Scores in 1:55.2 and the Open III with Knob Hill Splash in 1:56.
There are only five more racing nights left in the 2009 season at America’s oldest lighted harness track. Live racing will resume on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m., the final Wednesday of the meet.
It will also be the last chance to take advantage of one of the best deals ever offered at the Downs, purchase one clubhouse buffet at the regular price ($13.95) and receive $10 back in Casino free play. Racing fans can also win up to $500 in the Odd/Even Challenge; sign-up to win begins at 5:30 p.m. at Players Club.
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs
