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Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs to conduct annual Breast Cancer Fundraiser Friday

By Press Release

Press Release:

Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel is gearing up to host its annual fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR) on Friday night (Sept. 10) in the track’s historic clubhouse. 

The fundraiser includes a $30 clubhouse buffet package deal, a silent auction with a wide variety of items up for bid, sponsorship of races, and private donations. The clubhouse opens at 4 p.m. and the first race post time Friday is 5 p.m. 

“The officers and staff at Batavia Downs are thrilled to be able to partner with the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester for their annual fundraising event,” said Facility Vice-President of Operations Scott Kiedrowski. “The tremendous outpouring of support year after year from our customers, horsemen and women, and residents from the surrounding communities is very heartwarming and makes this fundraising effort a true success.”  

The silent auction will be held in the clubhouse entryway with bidding opening at 4 p.m. and continuing until the start of the tenth race which will be approximately 8 p.m. High bidders do not need to be present when the silent auction closes.

Many local horsemen and women get greatly involved in helping out with this great cause by donating all or some of their Friday night earnings and many have already pledged in advance. Anyone wishing to make a donation should contact Jami Chatt via Facebook (@Jami Rae) or in the paddock Friday night.  

“We had so many sponsors this year we had to double up on most races,” said Todd Haight, Director and General Manager of Live Racing at Batavia Downs. “The last time we held this event was 2019 when we raised over $17,000. I think we’ll take a run at that total this year.” 

The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester is the only full-scope, an independently-operated organization focused on serving breast and gynecologic cancer survivors in the Central and Western New York regions and each year they benefit from over 100 fundraising events like this. They are a community-based, grassroots organization dedicated to eradicating breast cancer through research and advocacy along with offering supportive and educational programs that are available to breast and gynecologic cancers survivors. And all programs and services are free of charge.

A very busy Labor Day
Those who attended the races on Labor Day at Batavia Downs had to be impressed by the size of the crowd as it was certainly the largest attendance at the track since the prestigious New York SIre Stakes Night of Champions was held in 2019. 

“Traditionally Labor Day is our biggest day of the season. We’ve had some big Labor Days in the past but no doubt this one was up there with others from 20 years ago. Fueled by $1 Sahlen's hot dogs, sodas and drafts, on-track betting was double per race than it normally is. You could simply look at the tote board and see the pools were bigger than usual,” said Haight.

“Our loyal patrons certainly came out to play the races and enjoy our dollar specials. We went through 2000 hot dogs (in four hours) and hundreds of sodas and drafts. Our food and beverage department did an incredible job handling the lines.”

Loyal Fox Hanover was best on trot-heavy Batavia card

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

After repeating a winning strategy, Loyal Fox Hanover went gate to wire once again to win the $12,300 Open I Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 6). 

For the third time in his last four starts, Jim Morrill Jr. marched Loyal Fox Hanover to the front and led all the way home. After Willie B Worthy (Denny Bucceri) made a break, Loyal Fox Hanover kept the remaining four foes in check with quarters of :28, :57.4 and 1:27.1 with Mugshots Bro (Shawn McDonough) at his back and Barn Hall (Kyle Cummings) to his outside in chase.

As the race rounded the far turn, CR Blazin Beauty (Kevin Cummings) joined the party three-wide and all of a sudden it was a real scramble. From the top of the stretch to the finish line, Barn Hall and CR Blazin Beauty continued to gain on Loyal Fox Hanover and when they hit the light the three were across the track only a neck apart. But Loyal Fox Hanover hung on in 1:57.

In five Batavia starts, Loyal Fox Hanover ($7.60) has not missed the board with three wins, one second and one third for owners Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice trains the winner. 

Morrill and Rice also hooked up to win with Majestic Kat (1:59.4, $3.30), giving each two wins on the card.  

In the $11,000 Open II Handicap trot, Franks Watching (Dave McNeight III) dropped down from the top class and circled the field to win by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:58.2. It was the sixth win of the year for Franks Watching ($3.50) for owner Mary Warriner and trainer Ryan Swift. 

The third trotting feature was the $10,400 Open II-III where Lunar Credit (Jim McNeight Jr.) started from post one and finished in the same position as he led the entire mile. After stopping the timer in 1:59, Lunar Credit ($2.40) chalked up his fourth win of the year for owner Jim McNeight Jr. Jim McNeight trains Lunar Credit. 

There was a $2,403 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the eighth race and it generated a huge payoff. Despite the heavily favored Hellrider ($5.10) winning the race, the 3-7-2-6-9 returned a generous $4,278.10 for a 20-cent wager. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 10) with post time at 5 p.m.

Guaranteed $4,000 Pick-5 pool Saturday at Batavia Downs

By Press Release

Press release:

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 4) there will be three carryovers and one big guarantee. 

With no winner of the Pick-5 on Friday (Sept. 3), there is a carryover of $1,059 and the management of Batavia Downs has announced that the track will offer a $4,000 guaranteed pool for that wager on Saturday (Sept. 4). The guarantee is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages for those five races are available courtesy of Trackmaster on the USTA’s website (ustrotting.com) or by clicking this link. (https://www.trackmaster.com/freeContent/usta/freeContentFiles/hpl/btv0904x.pdf)

Free program pages can also be downloaded at bataviadownsgaming.com under the live racing tab or at the Batavia Downs Facebook page. 

The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager and if all five winners aren’t selected, any carryover pool will be moved to the Pick-5 wager on the next day of racing.

Then in race five, there is a $225 carryover for the Jackpot Pick-6 and in race 10 the Jackpot Super Hi-5 has a carryover of $1,849. Free program pages for these races can also be downloaded at bataviadownsgaming.com under the live racing tab where free full card past performance programs are always available for download for every live racing night at Batavia Downs.

Post time for the first race is 5 p.m.

Misty Memory N brushes late to win Batavia Open

By Press Release

Press release:

Making her first start for new connections after being claimed last week, Misty Memory N moved up to the top class on the grounds and despite being overlooked by the betting public, won the $12,300 Distaff Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 3) in convincing fashion. 

Misty Memory N (Ray Fisher Jr.) started from an assigned post seven and settled in last as No Where To Hide (Kevin Cummings) led uncontested to the half in: 57.4. At that station, Misty Memory N left the pegs and started the long trek in the breeze without cover as they headed into turn three. 

As No Where To Hide took the field up the backside, Misty Memory N made her way towards the front, methodically picking off horse after horse. By three-quarters, she was second on the outside and the leader was starting to show fatigue. At the top of the stretch, Misty Memory N was in full flight and paced right by the tiring No Where To Hide. She opened up 1-1/2 lengths at the light and won in 1:56.2. 

In her initial outing for new owner JP Houle Stables and trainer Gaston Lareau, Misty Memory N ($18.40) won her third straight race at Batavia Downs and eighth of the year overall, increasing her 2021 earnings to $64,350. 

In the $9,350 Distaff Open IV Handicap pace, HP Sissy (Jim McNeight Jr.) looked very much in form as she went gate to wire with authority, winning by 2-3/4 lengths in a new seasonal best 1:56.1. HP Sissy ($6.20) is owned by Finnocchario’s Dream Stable and is trained by Jim McNeight. 

Finnocchario, McNeight, and McNeight Jr. also hooked up earlier with Smooth Mara N ($9.00) to have a connection double on the card. McNeight Jr. ended his night as the top driver with three overall winning steers. 

There were two other connection doubles registered on Friday. First, owner Mike Torcello, trainer Gerry Sarama and driver Kevin Cummings got across Nats A Lady (1:59, $34.00) and Backyard Swagger (1:55.4, $12.80) and then trainer Tammy Cummings and driver Kyle Cummings who also own Candy’s Desire (1:57, $11.80) and Heaven’s Diva (1:56.1, $16.60). 

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 4) there will be three carryovers and one big guarantee. 

The Pick-5 wager in races one through five was not hit again on Friday and as a result, there is a $1,059 carryover and General Manager Todd Haight announced there will be a guaranteed $4,000 pool for that wager on Saturday. The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and free program pages for races one through five are already available on the USTA website (ustrotting.com) under the Handicapping tab, on the Batavia Downs website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the live racing tab and also on the Batavia Downs Facebook page. Or get it here by clicking this link. (https://www.trackmaster.com/freeContent/usta/freeContentFiles/hpl/btv0904x.pdf)

Then in race five there is a $225 carryover for the Jackpot Pick-6 and in race 10 the Jackpot Super Hi-5 has a carryover of $1,849. Free full card past performance forms for every race night are always available for download at bataviadownsgaming.com under the live racing tab. 

Post time for the first race is 5 p.m.

Batavia Downs announces schedule and post time changes

By Press Release

Press release:

Horseman and racing fans should be advised of the following changes at Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel heading into the month of September.

Wednesday racing will take a two-week hiatus on September 1 and 8 but will resume on September 15 with post time remaining at 5:00 p.m.

Racing shifts back to Fridays starting on September 3 and post time will also be 5 p.m. The track has not been racing on Fridays thus far this year as live concerts have been ongoing every Friday since opening week.

Another change to note is that Saturday post times starting September 4 move to 5 p.m. for the rest of the season with the exception of Breeder’s Cup Saturday (Nov. 6) when post time will be 3:15 p.m.

There is one more matinee remaining during the summer-fall meet and that is Labor Day Monday (Sept. 6) with post time at 1:15 p.m. It’s also the final Dollar Day of the season. Sahlen hot dogs, sodas and draft beer will be just $1 from noon until 4 p.m. on Labor Day.

The clubhouse hours are also changing and will now be open from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. The only exception is Breeders Cup Day (Nov. 6) with the time to be announced. The Clubhouse will be closed on Labor Day. 

For the complete racing schedule please visit bataviadownsgaming.com.

Business is Brisk

There are many positives to be noted during the first 18 days of the summer-fall meet at Batavia Downs. Total betting is up roughly $3,000 per race and the clubhouse -- albeit limited due to staffing issues -- has sold out on a regular basis. Also, the Winning Wednesday hotel package that was introduced this year has proven to be a hit as over 91% capacity has been achieved each week on Wednesday since the season began.

“The combination of having free full card past performances programs available online nightly and a nine-horse field in the last race has certainly helped our betting,” said Todd Haight, Director and General Manager of Live Racing. “You can simply look at the tote board and see our win pools are bigger and there has also been a lot of interest in our new Jackpot wagers as well.”

Haight was also pleased with the Clubhouse.

“Our staff is doing a great job keeping the Clubhouse open. We have very limited staffing but we are doing our best to keep it open and the only reason it’s happening is because of the hard work of our dedicated employees.”

“We thought the Winning Wednesday hotel deal would be a hit when we put it together and it has been, and it has positively affected all phases of our business. Our Wednesday night on-track handle is up and the clubhouse is busier (as are our other restaurants) along with the gaming floor,” Haight concluded.

The $79 hotel deal continues through Wednesday (Dec. 8).

Loyal Fox Hanover goes the route in Batavia trot

By Press Release

Press release:

Two weeks ago Loyal Fox Hanover won gate to wire in the Open II trot at Batavia Downs. After racing off the pace in defeat last week, driver Jim Morrill Jr. went back to basics as he moved up in class and circled the field once again in the $11,200 Open I Handicap trot at the Downs on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 29). 

Morrill guided Loyal Fox Hanover on the lead through somewhat modest fractions of :29.2, :59.2 and 1:28.3 while Winning Legends (Justin Huckabone) and Willie B Worthy (Kyle Cummings) followed in chase. Heading into the far turn Winning Legends vacated the pocket to advance and Willie B Worthy slid in closer behind Loyal Fox Hanover. As the race headed down the lane those two inched closer but couldn’t reach the top as Loyal Fox Hanover trotted across the line first by 3/4’s of a length in 1:57 off a snappy :28.2 final panel.  

Vogel & Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock own Loyal Fox Hanover ($6.70) who scored his second win in his last four starts and hasn’t missed the board during that run at Batavia. Maria Rice trains the winner. 

Morrill and Rice also hooked up to win with Movie Star (1:54.3, $8.20) to each finish with two wins on the day.  

The $10,000 Open II trot went to Credit List (Justin Huckabone) who also went gate to wire in the easiest of fashion, winning by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:58.3. It was the first win of the year at Batavia, but ninth overall in 2021 for Credit List ($3.10) who is owned by Jonathan Appelbaum and trained by Justin Huckabone. 

Other horsemen who had multiple winners included the father-son team of trainer Jim McNeight and driver Jim McNeight Jr. who had two wins each and driver Drew Monti who scored a double. 

The live racing schedule changes at Batavia Downs next week as there will be no racing on Wednesday. However live racing returns to Friday (Sept. 3) with post time set for 5 p.m. On the Friday card there will be a $1,081 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the last race. 

Surfer Beach rides winning wave at Batavia

By Press Release

Press release:

After coming off an eye-popping gate to wire 1:51.3 win last week, Surfer Beach reversed strategy and won again the $10,600 Open I-II featured pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Aug. 28).

Jim Morrill Jr. tucked in fourth with Surfer Beach while Black Is Back (Dave McNeight III) acted as commander of fractions. With Lord Willoughby A (Ray FIsher Jr.) parked and prompting, Black Is Back flew to the quarter in :27.3 and the half in :55.4. After that station Surfer Beach pulled and got in the outer flow, one out and one back. 

Positions remained unchanged to three-quarters where Surfer Beach tipped three-deep to circle the fading cover and continue to track down the leader. At the top of the stretch Surfer Beach hooked up with Black Is Back and the two battled all the way to the line. But despite a gallant effort by Black Is Back, Surfer Beach was just too much and he won by ¼ of a length in 1:53.1. 

It was the second straight win, fifth out of his last seven and eighth overall this year for Surfer Beach (2.90) who is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice trains the royally bred 4-year-old gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere-Southwind Tempo. 

The undercard was the $9,200 Open II-III Handicap pace and Catch A Lefty A got the job done. 

Mike Baumeister put Catch A Lefty A right on the point and never looked back. He cut unchallenged tepid quarters of :28.3, :58.1 and 1:26.3 while only Silver Arrow (Jim Morrill Jr.) was able to stay close. And close was the best Silver Arrow could do as Catch A Lefty A flew off the last turn and paced home in :28.1 to win by 1-¼  lengths in 1:54.4.

Catch A Lefty A ($11.40) caught his fourth win of the year for owners Pat Galbraith and John Volkosh. Pat Galbraith also trains the winner. 

Jim Morrill Jr. and Dave McNeight III both had driving doubles on Saturday. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 29) with post time for the first race at 1:15 p.m. This will be the last Sunday of racing for the season and the last $1 hot dog, draft beer, and soda Sunday of the meet.

WROTB directors approve warehouse construction, parking agreement, funding for Park Road enhancements

By Mike Pettinella

A new warehouse for its food and beverage operation.

More parking on the former Kmart parking lot.

A potential street maintenance contract with the Town of Batavia in light of the Park Road Reconstruction Project.

Directors of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. continue to be called upon to approve spending resolutions to enhance the Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel enterprise.

The board, at this morning’s monthly meeting, approved several measures, including spending nearly $1 million to build a new 4,800-square-foot warehouse south of the facility, near Tops Market, and $75,000 for additional parking on the site across the street next to the former Kmart store.

It also will be asked, probably next month, to consider an agreement with the town where Batavia Downs’ crews would take care of maintaining trees, street lights and sidewalks – amenities that WROTB has agreed to pay for during the town’s rehabilitation of Park Road.

WAREHOUSE

WROTB President/CEO Henry Wojtaszek said the warehouse project is being done for efficiency and cost savings.

“It’s a project that has been on the drawing board for a long time,” he said. “We actually bid it out in 2019 (and) it was a little higher than we wished to spend on the project. We were looking to spend somewhere close to one million dollars, and now we’re actually financing it for close to one million dollars.”

According to a pair of approved resolutions, the pre-fabricated steel structure will cost $921,712.18 to build, plus another $52,818.63 in engineering and architectural costs via a contract with E I Team Inc. of Buffalo.

Lowest bidders for the construction work are Ed Hulme General Contracting of Warsaw for the concrete foundation/asphalt ($325,545.18), Building Innovation Group Inc. of East Rochester for pre-fabricated steel building ($328,264), Suburban Electric of Albion for electrical/fire/closed circuit television ($143,000), and Crosby-Brownlie Inc. of Rochester for heating, air conditioning and plumbing ($114,900).

“We went back and reduced some of the things we asked for originally in the designs and the drawings, and we re-bid it and it came back at 921 (thousand), which they passed today,” Wojtaszek said. “It allows us to put all of our F&B supplies in one central place; it will be more efficient and it will be cost-effective. It’s something we have talked about for a long time and now it is coming to fruition.”

PARKING

Wojtaszek said he and the board talked at length about the parking situation, agreeing to pay $75,000 for customer parking through next May. The property owner has not been charging Batavia Downs for several years prior to this agreement, he noted.

“We need it basically during the concert season to accommodate the patrons that want to park over there, and then, in the off months during this period of time, we need it because of the warehouse project,” he explained, adding that gaming customers will be able to use most of the parking lot if needed.

The property is owned by 570 DAB 30, LLC (Benderson Corp.), which is looking to develop it in the near future, Wotjaszek said.

PARK ROAD

Back in March, WROTB directors voted to pay the town up to $395,000 for property enhancements as part of the Park Road Reconstruction Project that is scheduled to commence this fall.

Costs of conduit, light fixtures and trees have gone up since then, Wojtaszek said, forcing the board to allocate additional funds, bringing the total to $488,000.

He said the total Park Road project price tag exceeds $4 million (around $4.3 million). Most of it is being paid for by New York State.

“We’ve worked very closely with the Town of Batavia … It will be a great addition -- beautification of that road and curb appeal that will extend to our business. We’re very excited about it,” Wojtaszek said.

He also said he expects the board to approve a contract with the town for Batavia Downs’ maintenance crews to take care of maintaining trees, street lights and sidewalks, and for snowplowing of that portion of the road.

In other developments:

  • WROTB will distribute $74,267 in surcharge earnings to member municipalities for July;
  • Batavia Bets, the corporation’s interactive online platform, has took in $12.5 million so far this year, up $2.1 million from the same time in 2020;
  • Directors authorized spending around $170,000 annually over five years to purchase suites from Western New York Arena for Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bandits and other arena events. Marketing Director Ryan Hasenauer said the corporation saved $27,000 by extending the pact to five years.

Batavia Downs' officer touts Arc employee program as 'success story' upon receiving statewide award

By Mike Pettinella

Calling it a “success story after success story after success story,” Scott Kiedrowski, vice president of operations for Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. this morning informed directors of Batavia Downs Gaming’s recognition as one of four Arc New York 2021 Employer of the Year Award winners.

“We employ and welcome a number of individuals (from Arc of Genesee Orleans) who have job coaches to acclimate themselves to the building,” he said. “The program has really taken off. It gives these folks an opportunity they may not have in other areas to work, and it has been a success story after success story after success story, with all of those we have brought in to work here.”

Kiedrowski (pictured above) accepted the award on behalf of the corporation on July 29 via a statewide Zoom call.

Batavia Downs was the only business in Western New York honored this year for acknowledging the value of employing people with disabilities. Kiedrowski said between five and 10 people representing the Arc of Genesee Orleans work for the company.

“They start with a job coach and before long, they’re on their own, and it’s been working,” he said. “If ever there was an example of how this is supposed to work, it’s working here.”

In a press release previously posted on The Batavian, Arc of Genesee Orleans Director of Development Shelley Falitico says Batavia Downs has been a longtime friend of the agency, hosting Arc Night at the Races and Arc’s annual awards banquet.

Additionally, several employees from Batavia Downs’ Human Resources department took part in an onsite training – The Benefits of Hiring a Person with a Disability -- at the Arc location on Walnut Street.

The plaque reads as follows: "For demonstrating outstanding commitment and support in providing meaningful employment and acceptance of individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in the workplace."

Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Previously: Batavia Downs chosen as one of four statewide recipients of the 2021 Arc Employer of the Year Award

Braxten Boyd wins five, posts .722 UDR at Batavia Downs

By Press Release

Press release:

Braxton Boyd made his now regular mid-week sojourn to Genesee County on Wednesday (Aug. 25) and this week put on quite a driving clinic at Batavia Downs. Boyd won five races on the card, finished second four more times in his 10 starts and walked away brandishing a .722 universal driver rating for the evening.

Boyd started out by winning both ends of the $114.50 daily double with Innocent Victim (1:57.4, $3.80) and Edom Up Blue Boy (2:01.1, $55.00), then won the sixth race with Rocklindarock (1:55.3, $5.50) and finally took both ends of the late $7.20 double with Atlantis (1:58, $5.20) and Cinderella Delight (1:57.3, $3.10).

Boyd has been on a roll in Upstate New York since he broadened his scope of operations beyond Tioga Downs. Over the past week alone, Boyd has won 17 races while driving between Tioga, Vernon Downs, Monticello Raceway (where he had a consecutive grand slam on Monday (Aug. 23) and Batavia. 

In the midst of clearly the best year of his young career, the 21-year-old Boyd now has 145 wins, 159 seconds and 159 thirds from 999 starts and has bankrolled $870,218 for his connections. 

The one race Boyd didn’t win on Wednesday was the featured $10,000 Fillies and Mares Open II pace which went to Misty Memory N and driver Jim Morrill Jr. 

Morrill vaulted to the front with Misty Memory N and held a commanding lead throughout the race. After cutting fractions of :28.3, :58 and 1:26.3, Morrill rounded the last turn unchallenged and at the top of the stretch, Misty Memory N simply paced away to a 4-1/2 length win in 1:54.4. 

It was the seventh win of the year for Misty Memory N ($3.00) and owners Stephen Picarazzi, Scott Petillo and her trainer Brett Derue.  

Morrill had two more wins on the night finishing with the hat trick on Wednesday. 

Trainer Jennifer Giuliani had two wins and two seconds, all of which were piloted by Boyd, who also drove one of Jerry Nugent Jr.’s two winners during the proceedings. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 28) at 6 p.m.

Downs announces across the board purse increases

By Press Release

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The management of Batavia Downs and the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association has announced that starting Wednesday (Sept. 1) purses for all races held at the track will be increased by 10%. The increase is due to the recent success in business the VLT’s have seen on the gaming floor and also from an increase in the live racing handle at the track.

“We are pleased that our recent success on the gaming floor and through increased live racing handle, we will be helping the horsemen and women that race here. As a public benefit corporation, we strive to support the communities and people around us and by helping the local horse racing industry with these larger purses, the economy surrounding the sport also benefits,” said Henry Wojtaszek, President and CEO of Western Regional OTB and Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel.

Reflective of the new structure, the bottom purse at the Downs will be raised from $3,800 to $4,200 and the top purse will jump from $11,200 to $12,300.

“These purse increases are great news for our racing participants after the bad year the industry as a whole experienced in 2020 due to the pandemic. Everyone has been trying to get back on track financially and this increase will go a long way in helping all local horse people do that,” said Todd Haight, General Manager/Director of Live Racing at Batavia Downs.

Winning Legends gets back to Batavia Downs winner’s circle

By Press Release

Press release:

It’s been four weeks since Winning Legends made his debut at Batavia Downs when he won the top trot. After failing to repeat in two subsequent attempts, the gelding put on a convincing performance to take the $11,200 Open I Handicap at the Downs on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 22). 

Winning Legends (Justin Huckabone) went right to the front and after Frank’s Watching (Dave McNeight III) and Golden Kronos (Jim McNeight Jr.) settled in behind him, the final tote board top three had already been determined. These three followed each other through quarters of:28.2, 58.1, and 1:27.4, where Golden Kronos finally pulled and tried to advance towards the leader. He got close to Frank’s Watching but Winning Legends was untouchable. Huckabone calmly line-drove Winning Legends off the last turn and down the lane to a one-length victory in 1:56.2.

Winning Legends ($2.80) has been winning Opens all over upstate New York this year and this sixth victory pushed his earnings to $37,191 for owner Jonathan Appelbaum. Justin Huckabone also trains the winner. 

In the $9,500 Open II trot, Party Boy Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) got his second win in a row at Batavia after he went gate to wire on the point, holding off a pesky Lunar Credit (Jim McNeight Jr.) from the five-eighths to the wire where he won by 3/4’s of a length in a new seasonal mark of 1:58.1.

Party Boy Hanover ($3.10) is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing, and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice trains the winner. 

Jim Morrill Jr. also won the last two races of the day with Movie Star (1:57.2, $3.30) and Mr. Sideburns (1:57.1, $4.40) to get the driving hat trick. Both of those horses were trained by Lisa Mariacher who ended up the leading trainer on Sunday. 

The Jackpot Pick-6 was hit on Sunday and returned a healthy $3,043.20 for a 20-cent wager on the combination of 5-5-1,6-5-5-1. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 25) with post time at 5 p.m.

Surfer Beach blisters Batavia's best in 1:51.3

By Press Release

Press release:

In one of the most exciting races seen at Batavia Downs in some time, Surfer Beach put away all challengers in a gate to wire win in the $11,200 Open I Handicap pace on Saturday night (Aug. 21). 

Driver Jim Morrill Jr. took no prisoners off the gate as he took the lead and seated the field with the exception of Lord Willoughby A (Ray Fisher Jr,), who found himself in a real fight in the breeze. Surfer Beach kept Lord Willoughby A chasing to the quarter in:26.4 and the half in:54.4. The game effort by Lord Willoughby A continued to three-quarters before the trip and tempo finally wore him down. 

As they headed into the last turn Black Is Back (Dave McNeight III) went three-deep around the fading Lord Willoughby A and Stratosphere (Drew Monti) followed as the pair tried to reel in the front-runner. But Surfer Beach was racing on another level and he opened up two lengths heading into the stretch. From there Morrill sat chilly as Surfer Beach was on his own, pacing away to the line in 1:51.3.

The time was a new seasonal and lifetime mark for Surfer Beach and tied Racine Bell’s 1:51.3 effort set on Wednesday (Aug.4) for the fastest mile of the meet. The time is also only two-fifths of a second off the all-time track record of 1:51.1 set by Aracache Hanover in 2011. 

Surfer Beach ($3.70) scored his seventh win of the year and pushed his 2021 bank to $58,590. The 4-year-old gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere-Southwind Tempo is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock and is trained by Maria Rice. 

In the $10,000 Open II undercard, McSpidey registered his first win of the year in a lifetime best effort.

Beaten favorite American Zest (Ray Fisher Jr.) was the public’s choice again and he took the lead and dictated fractions while Ys Sunshine (Denny Bucceri) and McSpidey (Kyle Cummings) followed behind in line to the three-quarters. When they reached that station in 1:25.1, Ys Sunshine pulled the pocket and went immediately backward, forcing a charging Daylight Rush (Dave McNeight III) to go three-wide. That allowed American Zest to take off by two lengths and he looked like a lock at that point. That was until McSpidey shook loose on the pegs and paced home in lightning:27.3 to out-foot American Zest to the beam and win by 1/4 length in a new lifetime mark of 1:53. 

McSpidey ($6.60) is owned by William Emmons and is trained by Jim Clouser Jr. 

Jim Morrill Jr. and Kyle Cummings led all drivers with two wins each on Saturday. 

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 22) there will be a carryover of $2,471 in the fourth race Jackpot Pick-6 wager. Post time for the first race at 1:15 p.m.

Miss Irish Rose A an easy winner in Batavia feature

By Press Release

Press release: 

Since winning the driving title there in 2017 with 134 victories during that meet, Larry Stalbaum has since only driven at Batavia Downs eight times in the last four years and, without a victory. That all changed on Wednesday (Aug. 18) when “The Bomber” shipped into Genesee County with Miss Irish Rose A who won the $9,500 Filly and Mares Open II pacing feature. 

Miss Irish Rose A left from post six and led at every station. Stalbaum set fractions of :28, :58.1 and 1:27 as Lady Dudette (Kyle Cummings) tried to track from the pocket and Stay Beautiful (Braxton Boyd) attempted to push the issue from the outside. But none of that opposition seemed to matter to Miss Irish Rose A who kept to her task, opened up a 2-1/2 length lead by the top of the stretch and cruised home a wrapped-up winner in 1:55.2. 

Miss Irish Rose A ($3.00) scored her fifth win of the year for Stalbaum, who also owns and trains the mare. 

Shawn McDonough and Drew Monti each had two consecutive driving wins on the card to lead all other drivers for the night. 

The guaranteed $12,500 Pick-5 pool on Wednesday drew a lot of interest and also provided a healthy payout. When the bell rang at the start of the first race, the final Pick-5 pool inflated to $24,832 and when the horses tripped the beam at the conclusion of race five, the combination of 4-4-4-6-1 returned a whopping $6,590 for a $1 wager.

Although the Pick-5 was hit, there are still two carryover pools available for the Jackpot wagers on Saturday (Aug. 21) when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs. The Jackpot Pick-6 which starts in race five has a $2,008 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 in race 10 has a carryover of $388. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m. 

Drivers avoid serious injury, horse euthanized after racing accident at Batavia Downs

By Press Release

Press release:

An accident occurred near the 5/8th’s pole in the last race at Batavia Downs on Sunday afternoon after pacer Red Roll (Kyle Cummings) went down and Sizzling Summer (Denny Bucceri) and Hardts Or Bettor (Justin Huckabone) ran over him as close quarters prevented them from making a diversionary move. All three drivers were thrown from the sulky and two of the loose horses continued to run.  

After the race, those horses were caught and upon examination, Sizzling Summer suffered multiple lacerations and required stitches and Hardts Or Bettor appeared to be all right. Red Roll had to be euthanized. 

Drivers Kyle Cummings, Denny Bucceri, and Justin Huckabone were examined on-site and suffered minor bruises and abrasions. None were transported to area hospitals.   

Lord Willoughby A, Stratosphere take Batavia features

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Press release:

Perfect weather and a lightning-fast track greeted the top pacers on the grounds at Batavia Downs on Saturday evening (Aug. 14) and the winners turned out some eye-popping times. 

The $11,200 Open I feature went to Lord Willoughby A (Ray Fisher Jr.) who took the lead at the quarter and never looked back. Fisher went unchallenged to a well-rated: 56.1 half before two-time Batavia Open winner Art Scene (Jim Morrill Jr.) came calling in the breeze as the group headed to three quarters. 

Art Scene's challenge ended before the start of the final turn and Lord Willoughby A opened up a two-length lead as he headed into the stretch. With one last challenge from the pocket-sitting Thor De Vie (Kevin Cummings) to deal with, Lord Willoughby A swelled up under Fisher urging, fought off that foe, and won by one length in 1:53.2. 

It was the fifth win of the year and the 30th of his career for Lord Willoughby A ($17.40) and his owner/trainer Larry Stalbaum. 

In the $10,000 Open II secondary pacing feature, Stratosphere (Drew Monti) followed American Zest A (Ray Fisher Jr.) through quarters of :27, :55.3 and 1.23.3 before pulling the pocket at the head of the stretch to overtake the leader under a confident hand-drive by Monti to win by ¾'s of a length in a lifetime best 1:52.1. 

The time of 1:52.1 was the second-fastest mile of the current meet behind Racine Bell's 1:51.3 effort on Wednesday (Aug. 4). 

It was the second win in a row and the 25th-lifetime victory for Stratosphere ($8.20) who is driven by his owner Drew Monti. Darrin Monti trains the winner.  

The Jackpot Super Hi-5 wager in race 10 had one winner with the unique winning ticket combination of 1-3-7-5-2 and they collected $3,020.40 for the 20-cent wager. 

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 15) there will be two carryover pools available. The Pick-5 in races one through five will have a $1,153 carryover and the Jackpot Pick-6 in race four will have a $1,611 carryover. Post time for the first race is 1:15 p.m. 

Misty Memory N scoops the loot in Batavia feature

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Press release:

Misty Memory N made the four-hour drive from Saratoga to Batavia worth the trip after she captured the winner’s share of the $10,650 Fillies and Mares Open at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Aug. 11). 

Jim Morrill Jr. settled Misty Memory N behind Prairie Westerngal (Braxton Boyd) who easily led the field through fractions of :27.4, :58 and 1:27.1, encountering only one minor challenge from Xenia’s Chip (Justin Huckabone) at that third station. Coming off the far turn Prairie Westerngal got a bit rough-gaited and that’s when Morrill tipped Misty Memory N off the pegs. From there Misty Memory N was on her own as she paced away down the lane, passed Prairie Westerngal in deep stretch, and won by a length in 1:55.3.

It was the sixth win of the year for Misty Memory N ($9.70) who is owned by Stephen Picarazzi, Scott Petillo and Brett Derue, who also trains the winner.

Earlier in the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open II, She Can Party (Dave McNeight III) sat second behind HP Sissy (Jim McNeight Jr.) until the top of the stretch when she ducked into the passing lane and lunged late to win by 1/2 length in 1:55.2, which was a new seasonal mark.    

She Can Party ($19.40) is owned and trained by Lee Dahn. 

Jim Morrill Jr. had a driving hat trick while Brett Derue led all trainers with two wins Wednesday. 

The carryovers continue at Batavia Downs as neither the Jackpot Pick-6 or Jackpot Hi-5 were hit on Wednesday. So when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 14) the carryover for the Jackpot Pick-6 will be $1,335 and the carryover for the Jackpot Hi-5 will be $1,903. Post time for the first race on Saturday is 6 p.m.

Golden Kronos was a titan in Batavia Open Trot

By Press Release

Press release:

Tioga Downs transient Golden Kronos shipped into Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 8) and took all the cash after winning the $11,250 Open Handicap trot and in near track record fashion. 

Drew Monti put Golden Kronos on the engine and let the big gelding take it from there. After strolling to the half in a pedestrian :59.1, Winning Legends (Justin Huckabone) left the garden spot and started to hurry Golden Kronos heading into the second circuit. The leader sped up the third quarter to 1:27.4 with the help of the rim-rider’s attack but still rounded the last turn with conviction. Turning for home Winning Legends was still alongside, but Golden Kronos had lots of leg left and out-muscled his challenger by 1/4 length at the line in 1:55.4, which was only 2/5th's of a second off the track record for aged trotting geldings set in 2015 by Lutetium (1:55.2). 

It was the fourth win in the last five starts -- three of those in Open class -- and the seventh win overall of the year for Golden Kronos ($6.80) who is owned by Michael Pozefsky, William Pozefsky and Myron Ekstein. Stanley Zombick Jr. trains the winner. 

The $10,000 Open II trot saw Loyal Fox Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) Take an early lead and then dictate all the fractions from there. After hitting the half in :58.1, Credit List (Justin Huckabone) pulled first up and pushed the issue beyond the three-quarters pole. But Loyal Fox Hanover eventually rebuffed that challenge along with a late one from the pocket-sitting CR Blazing Beauty (Kevin Cummings) to win by ½ length in 1:56.3, which was a new seasonal mark for the winner. 

With a win and a second in only two starts since February, Loyal Fox Hanover returned $19.40 for owners Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice trains the 4-year-old gelded son of Andover Hall-Lady Luck Hanover.  

Monti and Morrill both added another win each to lead all drivers this day with two victories as did trainer Jennifer Giuliani. 

There were a plethora of pool carryovers to contend with during the card on Sunday where one got paid out, and two did not. 

The $5,000 guarantee on the Pick-5 wager brought in $6,268 of new money for a total pool of $7,870 and provided a healthy payout of $1,575.75 for a 50-cent wager on the winning combination of 2-7-1-6-3. 

On the other hand, the Jackpot Pick-6 in race five was not hit and will offer a carryover of $1,049 and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 in the 10th race was also not hit and will have a carryover of $1,323. Both of these carryovers will be available when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 11). Post time for the first race is at 5:00 p.m. 

And as always, free full card past performance programs are available for every live race night at Batavia Downs by going to this link. https://www.bataviadownsgaming.com/live-racing/free-full-card-past-performance/

Molotov Cocktail explodes in NYSS romp at Batavia

By Press Release

Press release:

Two divisions of New York Sire Stake 2-year-old trotting colts converged at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Aug. 4) to compete for a total purse of $101,700 and when the dust settled, Molotov Cocktail stole the show with eye-popping domination in a runaway win. 

Six trotters went postward for $50,400 and Scotty Zeron left hard with Molotov Cocktail (Chapter Seven-Moonlight Cocktail) from post five and got parked three-deep to the quarter in :28.4. But that difficult opening had no effect whatsoever on the colt who cleared, opened up two lengths, and then proceeded to annihilate the field. 

Zeron hit the half in :58.3 and then backed off the third quarter to 1:28.3, but had also opened up a six-length lead at that point. Circling the final bend Molotov Cocktail stretched that margin to seven and then while Zeron sat chilly down the lane, the colt swelled up and extended his lead to 11 lengths at the light where he won in 1:57.4. 

It was the second win of the year for Molotov Cocktail ($4.30) and both came in NYSS action. The colt is owned by Richard Gutnik, Thomas Pontone and Gary Cocco. Hall of Famer Linda Toscano trains the winner. 

In the first $51,300 division, Quincy Market (E L Titan-Dance To Market) was a convincing gate to wire winner in a personal best effort. 

Corey Callahan left like a rocket from post six in the field of seven with Quincy Market and took the lead three strides into the race. After settling on the pylons halfway into the turn, Grand Spa (Scott Zeron) followed in second and after two horses behind them broke at the eighth pole scattering the field, these top two were ahead by 15 lengths and it basically became a match race. The 7-5 co-favorites then continued to trot one-two in a :59.3 half and 1:29.2 three-quarters.

Quincy Market looked strong on the point and had a three-length advantage over Grand Spa in the last turn. At the top of the stretch, Grand Spa was still gapped and then made an unfortunate break, taking him out of contention. From there, Quincy Market trotted home under mild urging from Callahan and was the easiest of winners in 1:59.3, which was a new lifetime mark. 

Quincy Market’s career outing was his second lifetime win, both coming in NYSS action and he hasn’t missed the board all year. Owned by Harmony Oaks Racing Stable, James Crawford IV, Berg Bros. Stable and the Yorwollahan Racing Team, Quincy Market ($4.90) is trained by John Butenschoen. 

Jason Bartlett had another stellar night at the Downs scoring four driving wins during the evening.  

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 7) with post time at 6:00 p.m.

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