Above, Brad Jackson celebrates his win in the Downs' 39th annual Driver's Bicycle Race with a “flying leg” pose as he crosses the wire.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
The 39th annual Batavia Downs Labor Day driver's bicycle race took place on Monday (Sept. 3) with a full field of eight local reinsmen lining up to compete. And with three previous race winners in the 2018 field, a first time victor emerged from the pack.
The starting car picked up the field at the top of the far turn and let them go at the head of the stretch for the one-eighth mile dash.
Billy Davis Jr. took a quick early lead but he was soon joined by Drew Monti and Denny Bucceri who flanked him inside and out. Then halfway down the stretch Brad Jackson, who was hindered by post eight, was cruising in the middle of the stretch and got by everyone to win by two lengths. Jackson celebrated the win with a “flying leg” pose as he crossed the wire.
After the race, the bikes were given away via random drawing to eight lucky fans who correctly selected Jackson to win before the event.
Also on Monday afternoon, drivers Billy Davis Jr. and Kevin Cummings had the hot hands during the live card of racing, winning four and three races respectively. Davis piloted Bad Glamour Girl ($6.10), Dark Horse ($4), Peter Pumpkineater ($15) and Cashco ($5.40) while Cummings steered Dwntwnskeeterbrown ($28.40), Montezuma Bluechip ($3.70) and Our Last Photo ($7.20).
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 5) with the New York Sire Stakes 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings in the house.
Photos courtesy of Paul White.
Bottom photo: Harness racing drivers ride their bicycles down the stretch at Batavia Down's Monday afternoon.
