Press release:
Jim Morrill Jr. remained flaming hot at Batavia Downs after he won four more races at the Genesee County track including both Open paces. Morrill’s torrid pace at the current meet accelerated over the last three days where he won 15 races out of his 26 starts at the Downs. Morrill currently has 80 wins this year at Batavia and just went over the half-million-dollar mark in earnings tonight.
The highlight of his evening came in the $13,500 fillies and mares Open I Handicap pace with Taupeka Jessie N ($3.00) who took the lead past the quarter, established a commanding 1-1/2 length lead by the half and extended that to 2-3/4 at the line where she won in 1:54.
It was the second straight win for Taupeka Jessie N who remains undefeated at Batavia for owners Vogel & Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock and trainer Maria rice.
Then in the $12,200 Open II handicap for distaff side-wheelers, Morrill grabbed the lines behind Vicious Circle ($2.10) for the first time and took full advantage of a class drop to also go gate to wire, heavily regarded at 1-9 and win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:54.2.
Vicious Circle is owned by Rick Howles, Geoff Howles and Souren Hovsepian and is trained by John Hallett.
Morrill rounded out his grand slam with Southern Palms (1:58.1, $39.60) and Proudamericangirl (1:58.1, $3.30).
When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 15), there will once again be two healthy carryovers available.
With no single unique winning ticket purchased in the Jackpot Pick-5 on Wednesday night (Oct. 13), there is a carryover of $8,212 for that bet in race nine and with the same situation occurring in the Jackpot Pick-6, another carryover of $1,957 will be in place for that wager in race four.
Free full past performance programs for the entire card -- that includes these races -- can also be downloaded at bataviadownsgaming.com under the live racing tab, where they can be found for every live night of racing at Batavia Downs.
Post time for the first race is at 5 p.m.
