harness racing

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old trotting fillies visited Batavia Downs on opening night to vie for a total of $106,000 in total purses.

In the first division Love A Good Story (Chapter Seven-Celebrity Lovin) (top photo) stayed perfect lifetime after she scored her fourth consecutive win, all in NYSS action.

Driver Andy Miller floated Love A Good Story off the gate and got to the front before the quarter in at quick :28.4. From there she trotted along on her own terms, setting stops at the next two stations at :58.2 and 1:30.1. Moving around the last turn Miss Jubilation (Ake Svanstedt) and Munster (Jordan Stratton) moved close to the leader and appeared to have a shot to catch her. But Love A Good Story found another gear and trotted away under a line drive from Miller and won easily by four lengths in 1:59.2.

Love A Good Story ($2.50) has now earned $79,100 for the season for owners Pinske Staale and the Kentuckiana Racing Stable. Julie Miller does the training. Celebrity Farms was the breeder.

The second split of the night saw Seventimesalady (Chapter Seven-Ava Marion) (above photo) draw off to a convincing first lifetime win.

Really Blue Chip (Anthony McDonald) took the lead from the pylon starting Seventimesalady (Ake Svanstedt) and opened up a two length gap on the field at the quarter in :29.3. Svanstedt followed that cover to the half but then pulled off the clubhouse turn and motored his way to the front up the backside, clearing past three-quarters. From there the filly left her competition behind, pulling away down the lane and winning by almost five lengths in 1:59,3, which was a new lifetime mark. 

Seventimesalady ($3.20) is owned by Ake Svanstedt, Little E and Knuttson Trotting. Svanstedt trains the winner. Little E bred the winner.

There were also three divisions of the $15,000 Excelsior “A” series on the card that were won by:

Nasty Gal (Conway Hall-Dreama Littledream)

Owner -- Deborah Brunet and Patricia Crawford

Trainer -- Gates Brunet

Breeder -- Joseph Brunet and Patricia Crawford

Time -- 2:00.4 

Mutuel -- $14.80

 

Starrystarrynight (Conway Hall-Makes Me Crazy)

Owner -- W. J. Donovan

Trainer -- George Ducharme

Breeder -- David Hanson

Time -- 2:02.2

Mutuel -- $19

 

Smooth Affair (Conway Hall-Identity Theft)

Owner -- Northfork Racing Stable

Trainer -- Chris Oakes

Breeder -- Morrisville College Foundation

Time -- 2:03.4 

Mutuel -- $2.70

 

Tyler Buter and Scott Zeron led all driver for wins on the night, each scoring a Hat Trick on the 11-race card.

There will be a $2,500 guaranteed pool in the Pick-5 on Saturday night, which is when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.

(Photos courtesy of Paul White.)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

With the start of the live racing season just three weeks away, horsemen should be advised this is the last call to turn in a stall application for the upcoming 2019 Championship summer/fall meet.

Stall applications must be received by the track no later than Monday (July 8).

The backstretch opens for tack on Thursday (July 18) at 8 a.m. and horses may begin arriving on Saturday (July 20) at 8 a.m.

Stall applications, agreements and reservation forms are available for download on the track’s website (www.bataviadownsgaming.com). Simply click Live Racing>Horsemen to find all three forms. 

Applications are also available at the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association office located on-site at Buffalo Raceway.

The first draw will be held on Friday (July 19) for Wednesday (July 24), which is the first New York Sire Stake engagement of the year at the Downs.

Batavia Downs offers a text messaging service for notices about draws, entries and other racing information. Horsemen are encouraged to text the word “HORSEMAN” to 51660. You will then need to reply “YES” and you’ll be opted in for race office text message updates.

All stable inquiries should be directed to Todd Haight, director/GM of Live Racing, at 585.343.3750, ext. 6322.

By Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts

Leading Western New York harness racing driver Drew Monti is heading east to Massachusetts to become a regular in the driving colony at Plainridge Park. 

Monti, who started driving at the age of 18, has put up some impressive numbers in his seven years campaigning at just about every track in New York State. From 8,427 lifetime starts he has 1,334 wins, 1,211 seconds and 1,179 thirds, has earned $7.7 million in purses and with a career Universal Driver Rating (UDR) of .300.  

During his short career in Western New York, Monti has already won two dash driving titles at Batavia Downs in 2016 and 2018 and one at Buffalo Raceway, also in 2018. 

However this is not Monti's first foray outside of his home state to compete. 

In the winter of 2017 the now 24-year-old headed to the Meadowlands and drove 163 starts that yielded 18 wins, 22 seconds and 18 thirds that earned his horse's connections $193,675 in purses over the seven weeks he spent there. 

In January of 2019, Monti went to Miami Valley to compete against 30 of the sport's top reinsmen in the North American Drivers Championship and finished a close third  behind winner Dan Noble and Brett Miller. 

Monti has gotten support from several stables upon hearing of his move to the Ridge and one of them is Lindy Farms.  

The President of Lindy Farms, Frank M. Antonacci has said that Lindy will support Drew’s move to Plainridge with drives from their stable. That in part is why Monti decided to come to Plainville, Mass.

“I had been watching Drew drive for the past couple years and know the ability he has. I think coming to Plainridge is going to help move his career forward and provide him the opportunity to drive stakes horses both here and beyond,” said Antonacci. 

“Talent got him to where he is today and he seems like a good young man with a bright future. I look forward to having him drive for us.” 

A 2016 graduate of Canisius College with a degree in finance, Monti recognized the opportunities ahead of him at Plainridge Park and felt it was a good time to make the move.

"I had heard a lot of good things about Plainridge, the people racing there and their great purse structure in place as a result of the state's Horse Racing Development Fund and really look forward to racing there full time. It seems like a great place to compete," said Monti. 

"Massachusetts has a fast growing Sire Stake program, one that a lot of people outside the Commonwealth are talking about. I look forward to getting starts there as well and with Lindy Farms support, I am really excited about this opportunity."

Monti has made a few trips to The Ridge this past week and already likes the track, and his four wins in 12 starts are evidence of that. 

Photo of Drew Monti courtesy of Steve Roth.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia -- Horsemen wishing to race at Batavia Downs for the upcoming 2019 Championship summer/fall meet should take note that stall applications are now available on the track's website (www.bataviadownsgaming.com).

Simply click Live Racing>Horsemen>Stall Application and Agreement and also Stall Reservations links to download. The complete 2019 racing schedule can also be found at Live Racing>Live Racing Schedule.

Stall applications are also available at the Western New York Harness Horseman’s Association (WNYHHA) office located on-site at Buffalo Raceway.

Racing Secretary Joe Zambito has stated that stall applications must be received by the track no later than Friday (July 5). The backstretch opens for tack on Thursday (July 18) at 8 a.m. and horses may begin arriving on Saturday (July 20) at 8 a.m.

There is much anticipation and excitement surrounding the upcoming Batavia Downs season with the $1.8 million New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions scheduled for Saturday (Sept. 14) and another purse increase in place for opening night. 

Open I events on both gaits (with a minimum of six starters) will compete for $12,500, Open II for $11,000 and Open III for $10,000. 

Claiming races at all levels will also be raised. For example, a $25,000 claimer will go for a $10,500 purse, a $10,000 claimer will go for $8,500 and a $5,000 claimer will go for $5,700.

The first draw will be held on Friday (July 19) for Wednesday (July 24) which is the first New York Sire Stake engagement of the year at the Downs.

Batavia Downs will also offer its new text messaging service for notices about draws, entries and changes to the racing schedule. Horsemen are encouraged to text the word “HORSEMAN” to 51660. You will then need to reply “YES” and you’ll be opted in for race office text message updates.

The 73rd season of live harness racing at America’s oldest lighted harness track features 65 race dates including eight matinee cards. The meet opens on Wednesday (July 24) and runs through Saturday (Dec. 14).

Live racing will be presented on Sunday afternoons at 1:15 p.m. (through August), Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday evenings at 6 p.m. There will also be racing on four Mondays during the meet including July 29 (5 p.m.) and Aug. 5 (5 p.m.), Labor Day Sept.2 (1:15 p.m.) and Columbus Day Oct. 14 (1:15 p.m.). There is also a special 3:15 p.m. post on Saturday (Nov.2) which is Breeders Cup Day.

All stable inquiries should be directed to Todd Haight, director/GM of Live Racing at 585-343-3750, ext. 6322.

By Tim Bojarski for Batavia Downs

Longtime Western New York harness horseman John P. Cummings Sr. passed away on Saturday (May 11) after a lengthy illness. 

Mr. Cummings first got involved in harness racing in 1968 at the age of 22 through his brother-in-law Steve Flanigen. While working full time at both Trico Products and Bethlehem Steel (where he was a tradesman bricklayer) he started jogging and training horses with Flanigen and found what would soon become a lifelong vocation. 

He started out with a couple homebreds named Clippers Classic and Windjammer Munk and soon added overnighters like Don J and Jack Flood to build his stable. Then through his 42-year career he went on to train horse that included Pembroke Primo (1:55.4, $341,026), Mr. Casanova (1:53.2, $274,073), Cambestion (1:52.4, $184,892), Good Evening Smile (1:57.3, $89,219), Solitaire Hanover (1:53.2, $63,953), Pitch The Prez (1:54.4, $89,396) and New York Sire Stake winner Pass Now (1:55.2, $81,918). 

Mr. Cummings most notable horse was Arm And A Leg (1:54, $320,791) who in 2009 won 13 out of 39 starts and $86,000 to be named the Western New York Horse of the Year in a ceremony held at Batavia Downs. 

Over the years Mr. Cummings amassed 3,779 training starts with 731 wins, 574 seconds and 466 thirds and earnings in excess of $1.8 million. 

Although he did also drive, it wasn’t too often. Early on he used Flanigen who had more experience in the bike, and then later he had several more viable options that provided him the luxury of staying solely in the jog cart. You see Mr. Cummings is not only known as a trainer at the track, he also has the distinction of being the patriarch of one of the largest family of drivers in New York State. Four of his five children were boys who were brought up in the business since they could walk. 

John Cummings Jr., Tony Cummings, Todd Cummings and Kevin Cummings were taught the ropes by their father and have all been training and driving since they were old enough to get their licenses. And now Todd’s son Kyle Cummings has made his grandfather proud by breaking out on the racing scene earlier this year with his first driving win.

All told, Mr. Cummings impact on harness racing through himself and his family has been 54,387 starts with 8,272 wins and over $38 million in earnings. That is a family tradition. 

Although his wife, children and horses were his primary passion, when Mr. Cummings had any free time he enjoyed playing cards and was also an avid bowler. He did roll a 300 game and proudly wore the ring he received indicating that milestone everyday. 

"Harry", as he was affectionately known by everyone, had an affable personality and the ability to make people laugh in any situation throughout his entire life and his presence will be sorely missed by all that knew him. 

John Cummings Sr. was the beloved husband of Lallah (nee Flanigen) Cummings; devoted father of John Jr. (Megan Wilson), Anthony (Barbara), Colleen (Tim) Gallagher, Todd (Tammy), and Kevin (Rhonda) Cummings; son of the late Edward and Dorothy (nee Pike) Cummings; loving brother of Edward (late Clara), Frank, late Dorothy "Snookie" and late Peter Cummings; cherished grandfather of 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

Friends will be received on Tuesday (May 14) from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home, 4199 Lake Shore Road (corner of Camp Road and Route 5) Hamburg, NY. A mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday (May 15) at noon at Saint John Paul II Parish 2052 Lakeview Road, Lakeview, NY.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Donations and condolences may be left online at www.lakesidefuneralhome.com.

Photo of Cheyenne Louie with driver Drew Monti.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

On a night when Drew Monti was to be honored as the top driver of the 2018 Batavia Downs meet, he put on a clinic and showed why he toted home the hardware again as he won seven races on Saturday night (Dec. 15).

Also it was no surprise that trainer JD Perrin, who Monti regularly drives for and was also honored as the top conditioner of the session, sent out six winners of his own.

Those winning connections put the exclamation point on their stellar season as they watched Cheyenne Louie cruise to the easiest of victories in the $20,000 Dash for the Holiday Cash late closer final, which was the feature race of the night.

Cheyenne Louie (Drew Monti) left strong and grabbed the lead past the eighth pole and from there the race was history. Cruising along in level fractions of :28.2, :58.2 and 1:27.4, Monti had the field stacked up behind as he sat chilly in the bike. At the top of the stretch several horses fanned wide to try and close the gap but Cheyenne Louie was four-lengths gone and under wraps when he hit the wire first in 1:57.

It was the seventh win of the year for Cheyenne Louie ($3.20) whose share of the purse pushed him to $26,983 for 2018. Cheryle Perrin owns the winner that is trained by JD Perrin.

Then the same driver/trainer pair hooked up to win the $11,000 overnight featured Open Handicap pace with Lucky McTrucky.

Getting away fifth in the short field of five, Lucky McTrucky tracked the early pace before pulling past the half, tipping three deep at three-quarters and clearing the front at the top of the lane to win by three in 1:55.2.

It was the 56th career win and 14th tally of the year for Lucky McTrucky ($5.70) who is now only $1,095 shy of $100,000 in earnings for 2018. Tessa Roland owns the 9-year-old McCardle gelding.

Other winners Monti steered besides the aforementioned Cheyenne Louie and Lucky McTrucky were with Cobble Beach (1:57.2, $4.70), Rock To Glory (1:56.4, $3.10), RM Hawk (1:55.3, $4.10), Heaven Rocks (1:56.3, $3.70) and OK Galahad (1:57, $4.10).

Perrin's training double Hat Trick consisted of five that Monti drove (Cheyenne Louie, Lucky McTrucky, Rock To Glory, RM Hawk and Heaven Rocks) along with Foreign Officer (1:56.4, $7.70) who was driven by Ray Fisher Jr.

After the 11th race this dynamic duo was named top driver and trainer of the Batavia Downs meet by the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA).

 

This is the second driving title for Drew Monti (in photo above with trophy) at Batavia Downs and third overall of his career. The 24-year-old Monti put together another stellar year in the bike; to date starting 572 times, winning 122 races, finishing second 90 times and third 72 times. Those starts earned his connections $724,805 in purses and earned himself a Universal Driver Rating (UDR) of .337.

JD Perrin (above, center) won the training title at the Downs three straight years from 2014-2016 making this his fourth title at the track. With 208 starts, Perrin trainees have won 61 times with 31 seconds and 19 thirds giving him a Universal Trainer Rating (UTR) of .409. His stable banked $333,648 for the session.

Batavia Downs will resume live racing in 2019 on Wednesday (July 24) and is the host track of the New York SIre Stakes (NYSS) Night of Champions which will be held on Saturday (Sept. 14).

By Tim Bojarski, president, UNY USHWA

The final weekend of racing at Batavia Downs kicks off on Friday (Dec. 14) and although 26 more races are yet to be contested, there are two that have already been settled. 

The dash winning driver and trainer for the 2018 meet are Drew Monti and JD Perrin.

This is the second driving title for Drew Monti (inset photo, right) at Batavia Downs and third overall of his career.

The 24-year-old Monti put together another stellar year in the bike; to date starting 560 times, winning 115 races, finishing second 89 times and third 72 times.

Those starts earned his connections $686,305 in purses and earned himself a Universal Driver Rating (UDR) of .337. 

Those numbers were solid additions to Monti’s overall figures for the year where he has 252 wins, 194 seconds and 174 thirds out of 1,260 starts with more than $1.52 million in earnings and a UDR of .332. 

JD Perrin (inset photo, below left) won the training title at the Downs three straight years from 2014-2016 making this his fourth title at the track.

With 192 starts, Perrin trainees have won 55 times with 31 seconds and 19 thirds giving him a Universal Trainer Rating (UTR) of .409.

His stable banked $298,248 for the session. 

Perrin’s annual numbers show 442 starts yielding 126 wins, 68 seconds and 51 thirds earning his group $633,623.

Also, Perrin currently ranks fourth in North America for UTR among trainers with less than 500 starts this year. 

Drew Monti and JD Perrin will receive their trophies in the Purple Haze Winner’s Circle at Batavia Downs after the 12^th race on Saturday night (Dec. 15).

Please note that post time for Saturday’s card is early at 4:45 p.m.

Also on Saturday night, there are many opportunities for the fans to take advantage of before the lights go off for the last time this year. 

The $20,000 final of the Dash for the Holiday Cash series is the feature event and goes as the sixth race. 

There is a free Pick-6 contest with a mandatory payoff of $1,000.

The Pick-6 starts in race four and runs through race nine.

Entry blanks can be picked up at Players Club and can be deposited with your selections prior to the start of the fourth race.

Entries are limited to one per person. 

The Pick-6 is cosponsored by the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association. 

Then there will be a random drawing from all the Pick-6 entries to win 10 “Driver of the Meet” Drew Monti bobble heads and 10 official Dan Patch Awards baseball caps.

Ten winners will be drawn and each will receive both prizes. 

The bobble head and baseball cap give away is sponsored by the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) and TAG Jewelers. 

Friday night (Dec. 14) is the UNY USHWA Night of Distinction awards presentations at Batavia Downs that will take place in the winner's circle between races. Post time on Friday is 6 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, president, UNY USHWA

Akron, NY --- With the Batavia Downs meet coming to a close this Saturday (Dec. 15) the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) has announced their horses of the meet.

Horse of the Meet -- In Runaway Bay N

In Runaway Bay N (Mach Three-Pullover Brown) raced in the top pacing class at Batavia Downs 13 times in 2018, more than any other horse at the meet. From 17 total starts he won five, finished second twice and third five more times and earned $39,455.

That total surpassed any other male pacer this season. He also defeated the legendary Foiled Again on Saturday (Sept. 21) in that great horse's last career appearance at the Downs. 

In Runaway Bay N is owned by Mark Jakubik, trained by Angelo Nappo and driven primarily by Kevin Cummings. 

Mare of the Meet -- Sportsmuffler

Sportsmuffler (Sportsmaster-Whatifthere’smore) competed in 14 Mares Open paces at Batavia Downs this year and won six of them. And when she won she did it with an exclamation point. In her 16 total starts this meet she also had three seconds and three thirds giving her an earnings total of $42,363 collected at the Downs. 

Sportsmuffler is owned by Rose Campbell, trained by Steve Kiblin and driven primarily by Billy Davis Jr.

Trotter of the Meet -- Lougazi

Lougazi (Lou’s Legacy-Winning Blade) had a rough start to the meet, making breaks with frequency. But in mid-September everything seemed to click and he turned into a monster. Making his way up through the classes, he hit the Open I and looked unbeatable there for a month.

He won three in a row and four out of six and took a lifetime mark of 1:56.3 in the process. When the dust settled he had 14 starts with six wins, three seconds and one third and earned $38,231.

Lougazi is owned by Mary Warriner, trained by Ryan Swift and driven by Ray Fisher Jr. 

Iron Horse of the Meet -- Empire Earl N

Empire Earl N (Earl-Santa Nita) is a 10-year-old trotter who came to North America from the New Zealand in 2016. In the little over two years he’s been racing here he has more than doubled his previous lifetime bank and almost tripled his wins as well.

His steady work continued at Batavia Downs this meet where he raced 19 times, won four times, finished second six times and third four more. These efforts earned him $43,736 in purses. 

Empire Earl N is owned by Kim Asher, trained by the 2018 Rising Star Award winner Riley Asher-Stalbaum and driven primarily by Drew Monti. 

The connections of all four horses will receive their trophies in the Purple Haze Winner’s Circle during the Night of Distinction at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Dec. 14).

By Tim Bojarski, president, UNY USHWA.

She was born to race and hit the ground running this, her first year of training. And hard work and perseverance has paid instant dividends for Riley Asher-Stalbaum and that is why she was named the 2018 Rising Star at Batavia Downs by the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA). 

Asher-Stalbaum was brought up in the business, the daughter of accomplished trainer Kim Asher and longtime driver Larry Stalbaum. And having them first as parents and then as tutors have helped her to become very successful in life as a young lady and also in harness racing in her first venture as a full-time conditioner. 

This year, Asher-Stalbaum has raced a small but powerful stable that featured win-machines Quicksilvercandy A, Kaitlyn Rae and Empire Earl N who combined have a total of 38 victories and $231,488 in purses earned in 2018. 

At Batavia Downs her numbers showed 124 starts with 17 wins, 15 seconds and 17 thirds and $133,409 in earnings. 

All those statistics are very impressive for a first-year trainer only 11 days removed from her 19^th birthday. 

Asher-Stalbaum aspires to make a living doing what she loves and follow in the footsteps of her parents. And if the results of her first year are any indication, the business better take notice of the girl in the red and white silks in the coming years. 

Riley Asher-Stalbaum will receive her trophy in the Purple Haze Winner's Circle during the Night of Distinction at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Dec. 14).

Submitted photo from Riley Asher-Stalbaum on social media.

Press release:

The Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund has announced that the 2019 New York Sire Stakes Finals will be hosted on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel.

The richest night of racing in New York, the “Night of Champions” will hand out $1.8 million in purse money to the top state-bred 2 and 3-year-old Standardbred horses.

The Fund’s Board of Trustees previously selected Batavia based on its impressive proposal to host the event and offer an exciting fan experience. This will be Batavia Downs’ first time hosting the event.

The New York Sire Stakes program promotes the breeding, buying, and racing of Standardbred horses in New York State, and is administered by the Fund. It was the first program of is kind, featuring 2 and 3-year old colts and fillies, and has become the model for state-bred racing programs in North America.

About the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund

The Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund is a public benefit corporation established in 1965 by the Laverne Law (Laws of New York, Chapter 567 of the Laws of 1965).

The mission of the fund is to promote agriculture through the breeding of Standardbred horses and the conduct of equine research within the state. To carry out its legislative mission, the Fund administers the New York Sire Stakes races, Excelsior/State Fair Series races, and County Fair Races.

Additionally, the Fund provides assistance to county agriculture societies and contributes to the statewide 4-H program and to the Harry M. Zweig Fund for Equine Research.

By Tim Bojarski, president, Upstate New York USHWA

The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) has announced that Steve Pratt (inset photo) will receive their Lifetime Achievement Award during the Night of Distinction at Batavia Downs on Friday (Dec. 14).  

Pratt first got his grooms license in 1970 and from there has been involved in harness racing ever since. He has been training and racing horses in Western New York since the late seventies when the star of his barn was an Open trotter named Willow Hill Boy who under the reinsmanship of the legendary Gaston Guindon, won 42 races in only five years against the best horses on the grounds at the time. 

Pratt moved on from racing overnights to concentrate on breaking and developing young horses. He became a presence on the New York county fair circuit but made the move to the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) in the mid-'90s. There he found early success with horses like Sal The Barber (1:58.2, $114,887) and Choyote’s Miss (1:59.1, $121,785). But he really got on a successful roll in the NYSS starting in 2012. 

For the last seven years Pratt has been a trotting force in the state-bred series with a string of “Barn” named horses that have competed in the NYSS, the Excel series and also at the county fairs. The parade of his champions is led most prominently by Barn Doll (1:52.1, $874,083), Barn Bella (1:51.3, $742,350), Barn Girl (1:52.3, $734,668), Barn Babe (1:54.2, $350,463) and Barn Winner (1:56, $165,273).   

During those seven years Pratt-trained horses have earned more than $2 million in only 227 starts, winning 97 races which gave him a phenomenal 42-percent win percentage. Pratt’s Universal Trainer Rating (UTR) for that same period is a stellar .558 and all this was accomplished racing primarily in stake competition. 

Steve Pratt will receive his trophy in the Purple Haze Winner’s Circle between races during the live card. 

Photo of driver Kevin Cummings courtesy of Batavia Downs.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

After being involved in an accident at Batavia Downs late last week, perennial Western New York driving leader Kevin Cummings will not return to action until next year. 

While driving in the first race on Friday night (Dec. 7) Cummings horse made a break causing the horse directly behind to collide into him, hitting Cummings on the left-side back at full speed. The two horses became entangled but were brought to a stop in the clubhouse turn just past the half. 

Cummings and the driver of the other horse, Mike Caprio (who also became unseated), were evaluated on site immediately after the track was cleared. Caprio returned to drive the remainder of the night however Cummings was sent for further medical evaluation. 

After being examined in the hospital it was determined that Cummings had three broken ribs, torn cartilage and internal bleeding. He was sent home and is in the process of healing under the care of his personal physician. 

Given the severity of his injuries, Cummings estimated his time away from the sulky to be two to three months. 

“I always wear my safety vest under my colors. It’s paid off in the past and it certainly paid of Friday. If I didn’t have that thing on I would have crushed my entire rib cage and had extensive organ damage,” Cummings said.

“I always tell the young guys to make sure they use theirs because you never know when you are going down.” 

Cummings, who is a four-time dash champion at Batavia Downs, is currently second in the standings this year with 102 wins and had a legitimate shot at taking a fifth title. This season saw him earn more than $1.2 million in purses, which is the 10th straight year he has gone over the million-dollar mark. 

For his career Cummings has won 3,820 races and over $17 million in earnings.

Lucky McTrucky with driver Drew Monti.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Lucky McTrucky got back to his winning ways taking the $11,500 Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Dec. 8).

The feature field got away in post position order leaving Cultural Paradise (Jim McNeight Jr.) on top calling the shots and with no pressure to the half, it was a soft fraction of :58 flat. However that would soon change when In Runaway Bay N (Truman Gale) came calling first-up on the outside where the race began to get interesting.

In Runaway Bay N paced along with Cultural Paradise up the backstretch in a quick :28.3 third panel and while that was going on, Lucky McTrucky (Drew Monti) joined the party late but came with lots of pace. Halfway through the turn Monti tipped Lucky McTrucky three-deep and caught the leaders by the top of the stretch and then went right by in the lane to win by two-lengths in 1:55.4.

It was the 55th lifetime win and 13th of the season for Lucky McTrucky ($10.60) who now has earned $93,405 in 2018 for owner Tessa Roland. JD Perrin trains the winner.

The $9,900 Open II pace saw Western Rockstar A (Shawn McDonough) close sharply after chasing an early speed battle between Linkjack Hanover (Bob Verney) and Littlebitofabrat (Ray Fisher Jr.) to pull the upset in 1:56.2. Western Rockstar A ($24) captured his fifth win of the year for owner Super Mile LLC. Angelo Nappo is the trainer.

Three drivers won 10 of the 12 races on Saturday evening. Drew Monti was the big dog copping a Grand Slam of wins. Then Shawn McDonough and Denny Bucceri were right behind, each having a triple on the card.

Next week is the final week of racing at Batavia Downs and it starts on Friday night (Dec. 14) with post time set at 6 o'clock. There is no racing on Wednesday (Dec. 12).

Photo of Empire Earl N with drive Drew Monti.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

After going winless since Sept. 7 when he trotted a season’s best 1:56.3, Empire Earl N has regained early season form winning two consecutive top-class races at Batavia Downs. The second score came on Friday night (Dec.7) when he captured the $11,000 Open Handicap trot.  

Empire Earl N (Drew Monti) got away third as Crystal Sphere (Billy Davis Jr.) made a beeline for the lead and when he got there, backed off the proceedings. After a leisurely stroll to the half in 1:01.2, Davis hit the gas, opened up a five-length advantage and tried to put the swoop to the group. Motoring along well on the point, Crystal Sphere looked very much the best, however there was a lot of race left.  

As the group moved from the five-eighths to the three-quarters, Monti tipped Empire Earl N and started chipping away at Crystal Sphere’s lead. Around the last turn he was on his back and at the head of the stretch he drew even on the outside and from there, Empire Earl N got stout and trotted away under mild urging from Monti to win by a length in 1:59.3.

Empire Earl N ($4.70) reached double-digit wins for 2018, scoring his 10th of the year for owner Kim Asher. He has also earned $90,354 this year which has been his career best under the tutelage of trainer Riley Asher-Stalbaum.

In the $8,800 Open II trot Labatt Hanover (Shawn McDonough) made easy work of five foes, posting even fractions en route to a three-length victory in 1:59.3. Labatt Hanover ($8.70) scored his sixth victory of 2018 for owners Gary and Cynthia Saj. His driver McDonough also does the conditioning.

Aside from capturing the feature race, driver Drew Monti also had two other wins giving him a Hat Trick on the night. Billy Davis Jr. and Mike Caprio also had driving doubles during the nine-race card.

There was no winner of the early Pick-5 on Friday and as a result, there is a $534 carry-over and a guaranteed pool of $1,500 for the early Pick-5 when racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday. Post time for the first race at 6 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Horsemen racing at Batavia Downs should take note of the draw schedule for the final week of racing for 2018. 

There will be a double draw held on Tuesday (Dec. 11) for Friday (Dec. 14) and Saturday (Dec. 15) with the box closing at 9 a.m. After the draw, the judges will also close both programs on Tuesday (Dec. 11). 

Also please note that post time for Friday (Dec. 14) is 6 p.m. while post time for Saturday (Dec. 15) is early at 4:45 p.m.  

For any inquiries about conditions or to call your entries in, please contact Race Secretary Joe Zambito at 585-344-6304.

The complete condition sheet for racing at Batavia Downs is available on the Batavia Downs website (www.bataviadownsgaming.com) under Live Racing>Horsemen>Condition Sheet and also on the USTA website (www.ustrotting.com) by clicking Horsemen>Condition Sheets.