harness racing

Photo of the dead-heat tie win for top pacers Lucky McTrucky and driver Drew Monti and In Runaway Bay N and driver Kevin Cummings, both posting a time of 1:56.3 in Saturday's Open Handicap. They came in only a head in front of Dark Horse with reinsman Ray Fisher Jr.

By TIm Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Big moves and strong drives couldn’t separate the top two pacers in Western New York this week as Lucky McTrucky and In Runaway Bay N hit the wire at the same time in the $11,000 Open Handicap pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 27).

It took a quarter of a mile but Lucky McTrucky (Drew Monti) finally got to the front and settled in for the mile. The outer flow came early at the three-eighths bringing Upfront Countryboy (Billy Davis Jr.) and In Runaway Bay N (Kevin Cummings) one-two at the half. Cummings swung In Runaway Bay N three-wide as soon as they hit the backstretch and set his sights on the leader.

By the three-quarters In Runaway Bay N took the front on the outside by a neck over Lucky McTrucky and he appeared to be going right by in the last turn. But Monti worked Lucky McTrucky hard and he responded by getting back the lead and had a clear length advantage at the top of the stretch. Cummings got after In Runaway Bay N with right-handed urging and he again drew even with Lucky McTrucky.

They paced together all the way to the wire and the camera could not separate them under the light where they finished in a dead heat in 1:56.3, only a head in front of Dark Horse (Ray Fisher Jr.) who brushed up the pylons late.

It was the 10th win of the year for Lucky McTrucky ($3.30) who is owned by Tessa Roland and the seventh win of the year for In Runaway Bay N ($5.60) who is owned by Mark Jakubik.

Billy Davis Jr. led all drivers on Saturday scoring three wins on the night.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 31) with post time for the first race at 5 p.m.

Photo of Lougazi with driver Ray FIsher Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

There is a new sheriff in town. Lougazi flexed his muscle again to defeat the best local stock and notch his third straight top class victory in the $11,000 Open Handicap trotting feature at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 26).

Despite losing to Lougazi the last two starts, Empire Earl N (Jim Morrill Jr.) went off the post time favorite and went right to the front in the abbreviated field of six. WIth a single file behind, Empire Earl N floated to a :28.2 quarter and looked comfortable doing it. But breaktime was over at the three-eights when Lougazi (Ray FIsher Jr.), who got away last, pulled first-over and started the rim trek toward the leader.

As the race motored up the backstretch, Lougazi drew even with Empire Earl N at the three-quarters and the match race was on. Into the last turn Empire Earl N got a slight advantage as Lougazi sort of hung, while Fisher bided his time and saved his charge for the finish. When they straightened out the two were even again and both drivers were working hard. Heading towards the wire it was clear Lougazi was doing the better work and just edged past Empire Earl N under the light by one-half length in 1:57.

It was the ninth win of the year, third in a row and fourth out of the last five for Lougazi ($5.90), who is owned by Mary Warriner. Ryan Swift trains the winner.

The husband and wife, driver and trainer team of Fisher and Swift also copped the co-feature.

The $8,800 Open II trot saw three lead changes occur by the quarter before Barn Winner (Ray Fisher Jr.) pulled from fourth at the three-eighths, took the lead up the back stretch and then held off a late-charging Jim Dandy (Jim McNeight Jr.) to win by a length in 1:58.1.

It was the third win in 15 starts this year for Barn Winner ($5.30) who is owned by Tanah Merah Farms and the Swift Racing Stable.

As has been the case so many times this meet, the early Pick-5 was not hit on Friday and as a result, there is a $1,839 carry over and a $4,000 guaranteed pool for the early Pick-5 on Saturday night (Oct. 27). That wager will be a part of the USTA Strategic Wagering program with free past performance pages made available through Trackmaster and the USTA. You can download those by clicking the “Handicapping” tab at www.ustrotting.com .

The Pick-5 is a 50-cent base wager that begins in race one and runs through race five. There is no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners, the entire pool (minus takeout) will be carried over once again.

Post time for the first race at Batavia Downs on Saturday evening is 6 o'clock.

Photo of Roll With Faith with driver Kevin Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

After hitting the board in her last two starts, Roll With Faith got back to the top of her game winning the $10,400 fillies and mares Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (Oct. 24). 

The two-scratch race was down to five starters when Roll With Faith (Kevin Cummings) got away second off the gate behind A Crafty Lady (Drew Monti) who then took the girls to the half in :57.1. There, Badlands Delight (Shawn McDonough) was moving first over, but not fast enough for Kaitlyn Rae (Ray Fisher Jr.) who swung three-deep in front of the stands and drew alongside A Crafty Lady as they worked their way up the backside.

As they passed the three-quarters in 1:25.3, A Crafty Lady packed it in and Kaitlyn Rae took the lead spot on the pylons. But with no time for even a breath, Roll With Faith was out and at her and the two paced in sync around the last turn. The team pacing ended as the tandem was split up heading down the lane because Roll With Faith simply opened up and cruised away to a wrapped-up four-length win in 1:54.2. 

It was the 13^th win of the season for Roll With Faith ($2.70) who has now earned $74,232 for owners Finish Line Investors, Larry Willer and John Mungillo, who also trains the mare. 

In the $8,800 Open II for distaff participants, Drinkin N Dancin (Ray Fisher Jr.) went gate to wire in 1:56.4 and registered her sixth win of the year for owners Rocco Stebbins and David Crumb. Joe Skowyra trains the winner. 

Kevin Cummings had three winners on the night to lead all other drivers on Tuesday. He now has 80 wins for the session and draws to within three wins of the current leader Drew Monti with 83. Monti had one win on Wednesday. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday evening (Oct. 26) with post time set for 6 o'clock. When it does there will be a $493 carry over in the early Pick-5 wager and a guaranteed $1,500 pool for that bet. The early Pick-5 is a 50-cent base wager that begins in race one and runs through race five. 

Photo of in Runaway Bay N in the lead with driver Kevin Cummings.

By TIm Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Kevin Cummings was red hot at Batavia Downs scoring wins in both features with In Runaway Bay and Nesh Cruiser along with three other victories to take five of the 10 races on the card. Cummings, who is currently the second leading dash driver of the meet, made a strong bid to retake the top spot after his performance on Saturday night (Oct. 20). .

In the $11,000 Open Handicap pace, Dark Horse (Ray Fisher Jr.) left hard and seated In Runaway Bay N (Kevin Cummings) who also tried for the front early. After everyone took a seat the race went to the half in :56 flat. At that point Barry Hanover (Shawn McDonough) started the outer flow and Rock To Glory (Drew Monti) followed that move.

As the race progressed to the three-quarters, Rock To Glory deserted his fading cover and tipped three-deep trying to get to Dark Horse. Almost out of that last bend, Barry Hanover finally packed it in and In Runaway Bay N nudged his way off the pylons between Dark Horse and Rock To Glory. As the top three argued toward the wire, In Runaway Bay N put away Dark Horse and held off a fast closing Rock To Glory to win by a half-length in 1:54.4.

In Runaway Bay N ($8.70) scored his sixth win of 2018 and eclipsed the half-century mark in earnings, now boasting $53,550 this year for owner Mark Jakubik.

In the $9,900 Open II pace, Nesh Cruiser (Kevin Cummings) tripped out behind Bugatti (Jim Morrill Jr.) to the head of the stretch before pulling out and going by to win by a nose in 1:54.4 for his eighth win of the year. Trainer RIchard Roth owns with Randy Roth and Robert Roth.

Besides those two wins, Cummings also scored with Cotton Eyed Joe (1:57.2, $6.40), Terlingua (1:56.4, $8) and Keystone Keen (1:56.4, $6.10) to round out the five-bagger.

Not to be outdone, the Downs leading driver Drew Monti also scored four wins on Saturday night as well. So after the last race ended, Monti is still on top with 82 wins for the meet with Cummings sitting right behind with 77.

The early Pick-5 that was part of the USTA Strategic Wagering program with a $7,000 guaranteed pool produced an instant jackpot payoff $5,350.50 for a $1 ticket on the combination of 7-4-3-2-3.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon with post time set for 5 o'clock.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY--- As a result of no one selecting a winning combination in the early Pick-5 at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 19), there will be a $7,000 guaranteed early Pick-5 pool when racing resumes at 6 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 20) at the oldest lighted harness track in America.

Saturday’s guarantee is part of the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program which offers free program pages for those five races under the “Handicapping” tab at www.ustrotting.com . You can access the program pages directly by clicking here. (https://www.trackmaster.com/freeContent/usta/freeContentFiles/hpl/btv1020x.pdf )

The Pick-5 is a 50-cent base wager that begins in race one and runs through race five. There is no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners, the entire pool (minus takeout) will be carried over once again.

Lougazi with driver Ray Fisher Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

In what turned out to be a very exciting horse race, Lougazi proved to be best once again in winning the $11,000 Open Handicap trotting feature at Batavia Downs on Friday evening (Oct. 19). 

Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) got away last by quite a few lengths off the gate when BZ Glide blasted to the front and posted an extremely fast :27.2 quarter. Positions remained unchanged past that post when Fisher came first-over at the three-eighths pole with Lougazi and motored up the outer rim. 

Incrementally gaining ground around turn-two and up the backstretch, Lougazi drew even with BZ Glide by the three-quarters and the two dueled from there. Trotting in step around the last turn and into the lane, Lougazi finally got a step away from BZ Glide. But Empire Earl N (Jim Morrill Jr.) who was drafting third pulled three wide and was launched for the finish. Lougazi dug in and held him off as well and hit the wire first by a head in 1:56.3, which was a new lifetime mark. 

It was the second win in a row and fourth out of the last six for Lougazi ($11.80) who is owned by Mary Warriner and trained by Ryan Swift. 

In the $8,800 Open II trot, Edom Up Blue Boy (Jim Morrill Jr.) rode a two-hole trip to the half behind Lutetium (Ron Beback Jr.) before pulling to take the lead by the five-eighths, open up by three lengths and eventually win by four in 1:58. Edom Up Blue Boy ($6.40) is owned and trained by Rock Vinci. 

With only two favorites winning all night, there was a plethora of profound payoffs in most of the races on Friday. But the one wager that did not get hit was the early Pick-5 and as a result, there is a $2,900 carry over pool for the early Pick-5 on Saturday (Oct. 20). That bet will be a part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program with a $7,000 guaranteed pool and free program pages that will be available tomorrow on the USTA website under the handicapping tab.

Post time for Saturday evening will be 6 o'clock.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

As a result of no winning ticket once again on Wednesday (Oct. 17), Batavia Downs will offer a $2,000 guaranteed early Pick-5 pool when racing resumes today (Oct. 19) at the oldest lighted harness track in America.

Friday’s guarantee is part of the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program which offers free program pages for those five races under the “Handicapping” tab at www.ustrotting.com.You can go directly to that page to access the programs by clicking here. (http://handicapping.ustrotting.com )

The Pick-5 is a 50-cent base wager that begins in race one and runs through race five. There is no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners, the entire pool (minus takeout) will be carried over once again. 

Please note that post time for the first race today is at a special early time of 4:45 p.m.

Photo of Kaitlyn Rae with reinsman Ray Fisher Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Winning never gets old and seemingly neither does the 9-year-old Kaitlyn Rae; who just keeps on winning. Wednesday evening (Oct. 17) at Batavia Downs she scored her third consecutive victory in the $9,900 fillies and mares Open Handicap pace following the same formula from the last two weeks. 

In the $8,800 fillies and mares Open II, Machin Marley (Kevin Cummings) led every step of the way en route to her seventh win of the year, timed in 1:57. Thatsideofthefence LLC co-owns the winner with trainer John Mungillo. 

When racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday afternoon (Oct. 19), there will be a carryover of $703 and a guaranteed $2,000 pool in the early Pick-5 wager. It will also be part of the USTA Strategic Wagering program with free program pages available on the USTA website under the “Handicapping” tab. Please note that post time for Friday is early at 4:45 p.m.

Photo of A F F Bigdaddy with reinsman Denny Bucceri in the lead.

By TIm Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

A F F Bigdaddy continued to be a hot horse among the top class pacers at Batavia Downs as he won his second straight $11,500 Open Handicap pace on Saturday (Oct. 13).

The race got away in post position order meaning Bugatti (Jim Morrill Jr.) was calling the shots. After reaching the quarter in :28 flat, In Runaway Bay (Kevin Cumming) pulled first-up at the three-eighths and brought A F F Bigdaddy (Denny Bucceri) with him. Now in two rows, positions remained unchanged from the half to the three-quarters with the race proceeding in a timely 1:25.3.

As the pacers were rounding the final turn, Bucceri swung A F F Bigdaddy three-deep at the apex and it was clear the pair meant business. Under a full head of steam, A F F Bigdaddy paced by In Runaway Bay and then Bugatti before opening up a three length lead and hitting the wire a wrapped-up 1:54.1 winner.

It was the fifth win in the last eights starts for A F F Bigdaddy ($10.80) who now has seven for the year along with $41,393 in earnings. Jennifer and Marcus Rogowski own the 5-year-old Sir Luck gelding who is trained by Steve Kiblin,

In the $9,900 Open II Handicap, Cool Like Fire (Billy Davis Jr.) came from off the pace late amidst a four-horse charge down the lane to win his fifth race of the year by a length in a time of 1:54.2. Cool Like Fire ($14.20) is owned by WIlliam Emmons and is trained by Jim Clouser Jr.

Four drivers scored doubles on Saturday night. Drew Monti, Jim Morrill Jr., Billy Davis Jr. and Denny Bucceri all got a pair across during the proceedings.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon with post time set for 5 o'clock.

Photo of Kaitlyn Rae with driver Ray Fisher Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

It was a big night for Ray Fisher Jr. at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 12) as he won four races including both feature races. 

First in the $10,400 fillies and mares Open Handicap pace, Fisher sent Kaitlyn Rae off the wings and right to the front where she dominated her rivals all the way. With an open two-length lead, Kaitlyn Rae set fractions of :27.4, :58 and 1:26.1 before rounding the far turn and skating away to a six-length win in 1:54.3. 

It was the 59^th career victory and 11^th win of the year for Kaitlyn Rae ($21.60) who is owned and trained by Riley Asher-Stalbaum.

Photo above of driver Ray Fisher Jr. with Lougazi​.

Then one race later in the $11,500 Open Handicap trot, Fisher took Lougazi off the gate and settled in second to the quarter before pulling at the three-eighths pole to take the lead past the half. From there he called the shots as he got to the three-quarters in 1:27.4 and then trotted home sharply while holding off a late challenge from Empire Earl N (Jim Morrill Jr.) to win by a length in 1:57.2. 

Owner Mary Warriner enjoyed watching Lougazi ($7.80) get his seventh win of the year under the tutelage of Fisher’s wife, Ryan Swift. 

Fisher also won with Susie’s Delight (1:55.2, $4.10) and Bands Ariston (1:59.3, $9.60) to round out the Grand Slam. Both of these horses are trained by Swift as well giving her the hat trick.

Fisher is currently fourth in the standings for wins on the meet with 45 behind the leading Drew Monti who has 74, Kevin Cummings with 67 and Billy Davis Jr. with 54. 

Please note that when racing resumes at Batavia Downs on this afternoon (Oct. 13) it will do so with a very early post time of 4:15.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

What was originally an unscheduled night of racing, Saturday (Oct. 13) has now become the earliest post time of the meet for Batavia Downs. Due to a concert previously scheduled, Saturday’s nine-race card will kick off at 4:15 p.m. 

Racing gates open at 2:45 p.m. and the clubhouse will be open at 3:15 p.m. 

There will also be a special menu in the clubhouse on Saturday. A Texas-style bar-b-que is being offered that will feature bar-b-que pulled pork, bone-in chicken, roasted red potatoes, mac-n-cheese, butter-basted corn, rolls, coffee, tea or soda and all for only $16.95. And everyone purchasing the buffet will receive $15 back in free play for the gaming floor. This offer is good from 3:15 until 6:45 p.m. and reservations are suggested. 

After the live racing card concludes, “Kiss This,” the East coast’s premier Kiss tribute band, will play a full-costumed concert in the Paddock Room starting at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are only $10 and are available at www.bataviaconcerts.com or at Lucky Treasures Gift Shop right at Batavia Downs Gaming.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Horsemen please be advised that there will be no racing on Wednesday (Oct. 10) and Thursday (Oct. 11). Wednesday was cancelled due to a lack of horses and Thursday was simply moved to Saturday (Oct. 13), which was not originally scheduled. Saturday’s post time will be 4:15 p.m. 

Friday (Oct. 12) will remain as scheduled with a 6 p.m. post time and with the draw being held on Tuesday (Oct. 9). 

The draw for Wednesday (Oct. 17) will be held on Saturday (Oct. 13) instead of the normal draw day of Friday (Oct. 12). The box closes for both draws at 9 a.m.

For more racing information and updates please log on to www.bataviadownsgaming.com.

Photo: Bioness takes the lead, driven by Kevin Cummings​.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

International trotting came to Batavia Downs on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 6) as the French-bred Bioness shipped in and captured the $15,000 Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot. 

The Downs annual signature invitational trot is named for the longtime Western New York trainer/driver Brian Schroeder whose specialty was breaking and racing diagonal-gaited Standardbreds. Schroeder passed away on Oct. 11, 2007 after a lengthy illness. 

Schroeder conditioned and raced some of the best trotters of his era at Batavia Downs as well as on the Grand circuit. Aside from all the races he won in western New York, Schroeder’s career highlights included competing in the 1993 Hambletonian with Collier St Joey and finishing second with Financial Paige in the Breeders Crown 3-year-old filly trot at Woodbine in 1995.

Leaving from post eight, Bioness (Kevin Cummings) made his way to the top and settled in past the quarter in :28.1. With no opposition Cummings backed the next panel down to :29.4 and looked confident on the point. As the race made its way into the third turn, Southern Palms (Shawn McDonough) pulled first-up from fifth and started the rim trek in a slow, methodical fashion. 

When the group hit the three-quarters Bioness had opened up a two length lead while Southern Palms made his way to second, but still with much work to do. At the top of the lane Bioness looked home free, but McDonough was working his horse hard and getting favorable results. Southern Palms came flying down the lane while Bioness really needed the line. With both drivers in full swing, Bioness hung on by a head to win in 1:57.

"The plan was to go to the front from the start and when I got there he felt fine the whole mile. He was game holding that other horse off at the wire but he was all in at that point," said Cummings after the race. 

Bioness ($5) scored his fourth win in 14 starts this year and the purse pushed his earnings to $101,688 for 2018. Northfork Racing Stable owns Bioness who is trained by Chris Oakes. The winner was greeted in the Purple Haze winner’s circle by many friends and family of Brian Schroeder. 

Bioness (Sam Bourbon-Quiradelle D’hilly) was purchased and imported this spring through the French-American Trotting Club (FATC) program developed by the Standardbred Owners Association of New York. The 7-year-old gelding competed in three legs of the FATC series at Yonkers in August before winning the $120,000 final, going the mile and one-half in 2:58. 

After having a three-week sabbatical, Bioness qualified at Mohegan Sun Pocono in 1:54.3 before shipping to Batavia for this engagement. 

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

There are many promotions and schedule changes at Batavia Downs over the next nine days and here is a look at the lineup.  

This Saturday (Oct. 6) has an early post of 4:45 p.m. and promises a full night of entertainment. 

The featured race on the live racing card is the $15,000 Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot, named for the longtime Western New York trainer/driver whose specialty was diagonal-gaited Standardbreds. Schroeder raced some of the best trotters of his era at Batavia Downs and even competed in the 1993 Hambletonian with Collier St. Joey. 

Among the entrants of that race is the French-bred trotter Bioness (Sam Bourbon-Quiradelle D’hilly) who was purchased and imported this spring through the French American Trotting Club program developed by the Standardbred Owners Association of New York. Since coming to the U.S. Bioness has won three out of seven starts, taking a mark of 1:54.3 at Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs and has earned $88,970 in the process. 

Fans attending the races Saturday can take advantage of the Match Play promotion. Wager a minimum of $25 with a mutuel clerk on any Batavia Downs Gaming live harness race at the same time between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and receive $25 in gaming free-play. 

After the races on Saturday, there will be a live tribute concert to the classic film "American Graffiti" in the Paddock Room. Tickets are $10 and seating is on a first-come basis.  

Then on Columbus Day Monday (Oct. 8) enjoy Batavia Downs annual matinee racing card with a special 1:15 p.m. post. Purchase a chicken barbecue (provided by the Center Street Smoke House) for $10.95 from noon to 3 p.m. in the clubhouse and receive $10 in gaming free play. 

If chicken isn’t your pleasure, there will also be $1 Sahlen’s hot dog, draft beer and soda at the Homestretch Grill and on the apron from noon until after the last race. All live racing programs will also be only $1.  

Then there is a schedule change that needs to be noted. There will be no racing on Wednesday (Oct. 10) and Thursday (Oct. 11). Wednesday was cancelled due to a lack of horses and Thursday was simply moved to Saturday (Oct. 13), which was not originally scheduled. Saturday’s post time will be 4:15 p.m. 

Friday (Oct. 12) will remain as scheduled with a 6 p.m. post time.  

Saturday (Oct. 13) will feature a special Texas Barbecue in the clubhouse with pulled pork and chicken and all the fixings to go along with it for only $16.95. And everyone buying the barbecue will receive $15 in gaming free play. The clubhouse and buffet both open at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday. 

For more information on live racing at Batavia Downs, please log on to www.bataviadownsgaming.com.

Photo of Roll With Faith in the lead with driver Kevin Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

She was perfect in September and has now started October the same way. Roll With Faith has owned the top pacing mares at Batavia Downs of late and proved it once again; winning her fourth consecutive $10,000 Open Handicap distaff feature on Wednesday evening (Oct. 3). 

Kevin Cummings sent Roll With Faith to the front of the scratch-shortened field and settled into a comfortable dictatorial position. Stepping off fractions of :29, :58.2 and 1:26.3, Cummings sat confident as Roll With Faith threw in a :28.2 final panel and won easily in 1:55.

It was the 12^th win of the year for Roll With Faith ($3.30) pushing her seasonal earnings to $65,309 for owners Finish Line Investors, Lawrence Willer and John Mungillo, who also conditions the winner. 

In the co-featured $8,800 fillies and mares Open II pace, Kaitlyn Rae (Ray Fisher Jr.) won in similar fashion, going gate to wire in domineering fashion. Fisher went :28.1, :57.4 and 1:26.4 before scooting home in :28.4 to pull away by three in 1:55.3. 

It was the 10^th win of the year for Kaitlyn Rae ($3.20) who now has put $51,025 in the bank for her owner/trainer Riley Asher-Stalbaum.

Asher-Stalbaum also sent her win machine Quicksilvercandy A to the winner’s circle for the 14^th time this year and the 77^th time in her career. Over the last two seasons this mare has won just under half of her lifetime races, bagging 35 wins over that period. 

It’s also interesting to note that based on Wednesday’s results, Quicksilvercandy A is tied in fourth for the most 2018 wins in North America and Roll With Faith is currently tied for sixth. 

Ray Fisher Jr. got the driving hat trick on Wednesday while Kevin Cummings and Shawn McDonough both scored driving doubles. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 5) with post time set for 6 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Lucan Hanover (John Cummings Jr.) made it three in a row at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 29) after winning the $10,500 Open handicap pace in impressive style. 

As was the case the past two weeks, Cummings put Lucan Hanover on the point right off the gate and was never headed from there. Posting fast fractions of :27.3, :56.3 and 1:24.2, Lucan Hanover turned for home and paced away with a two-length margin of victory in 1:52.2.

"Lucan did it all himself; he's all class," said Cummings after the race. 

It was the 35th lifetime win for Lucan Hanover ($9.70) who now has over $1.14 million on his card. He is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Jack Rice and Pine Hill Racing LTD and is trained by Maria Rice. 

In the $9,000 Open II pace, Heaven Rocks (Drew Monti) got a perfect two-hole trip behind China Dream (John Cummings Jr.) from the start of the race until the top of the stretch when the leader bore out and Heaven Rocks shot through the void to win in 1:54.1, which was a new seasonal mark. 

Owned by Tessa Roland and trained by JD Perrin, Heaven Rocks ($12) registered his sixth win of the year.

The Downs leading driver Drew Monti and trainer JD Perrin teamed up for a Grand Slam on Saturday. Besides Heaven Rocks, the tag-team of Monti and Perrin also shuttled across Four Diamond (1:55.3, $5.70), Hands Off Frank (1:55.2, $2.40) and Hardts Or Bettor (1:54.2, $3.60). 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 3) at 5 p.m.

Photo of BZ Glide with driver Mike Caprio.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

BZ Glide waved bye-bye to the field as he passed them all going from worst to first in the $10,500 Open Handicap trotting feature at Batavia Downs on Friday afternoon (Sept. 28). 

BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) got away last off the gate while Chelseas Chance (Billy Davis Jr.) smoked early fractions of :27 and :57. At that station, Southern Palms (Kevin Cummings) pulled first up with Call My Broker (Drew Monti) on his back and they tried to advance on the leader past the five eighths. But Southern Palms bid failed and Call My Broker was forced to go wide around him. 

At that point BZ Glide was locked in tight last behind horses fanning three deep at the three-quarters and things were looking bleak. But as the race progressed through the turn, Southern Palms finally faded to last allowing BZ Glide a spot to get off the pegs. Then a good five lengths off the leader and forced to tip three-wide himself, Caprio unleashed BZ Glide and with a couple of rocks and a couple of knocks the big horse responded heartily and rolled by everyone to win in 1:57. 

It was the second straight top-class trot victory at Batavia Downs for BZ Glide ($5.20) who now has seven wins on the year and $56,343 earned for owner Caprio stable LLC and trainer Alana Caprio. 

In the $8,000 Open II trot, Bold Dresser (Shawn McDonough) was never headed going gate to wire in 1:58.3 to score his fifth victory of the year. Harry Wortzman owns Bold Dresser ($3.70) who is trained by his driver, Shawn McDonough. 

Drew Monti led all drivers on the night with three wins while Shawn McDonough and Ray Fisher Jr. each garnered a pair. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 29) with post time at 6 o'clock.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

When the going got tough, Machin Marley got going and won the $9,000 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (Sept. 26). 

Machin Marley (Drew Monti) hit the pylons last while Little Joke (Billy Davis Jr.) fired off the wings to take the early lead. But Little Joke would soon submit to a takeover coup by Sportsmuffler (John Cummings Jr.) who came hard midway up the backstretch. The field stayed in single file past the half in a tepid :30 second quarter before Kaitlyn Rae (Ray Fisher Jr.) pulled first over at the five-eighths. 

The top two tangled to the three-quarters in 1:26.1 with neither getting an advantage. Then in the turn, Badlands Delight (Kevin Cummings) tipped three-deep and Machin Marley went four-wide from last and had almost five lengths to make up. With the whole field racing literally side-by-side in the lane, Machin Marley flew down the center of the track and collared them all at the wire to win in 1:55.2. 

It was the sixth win in 30 starts this year for Machin Marley ($15.20) who now has earned $39,381 for owners Thatsideofthefence and John Mungillo, who also does the training. 

In the $8,000 Open II pace for fillies and mares, Aritzia Hanover (Billy Davis Jr.) got away mid-pack before pulling first-over to out-muscle Rockin Kasbah (Kevin Cummings) through the second lap and win by a length in 1:57.1. Aritzia Hanover ($4.40) is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable and Pine Hill Racing. Maria Rice trains the winner. 

Drew Monti and Billy Davis Jr. both had driving triples on Wednesday. Monti is the current dash driving leader for the meet with 64 wins. Davis is third with 48 wins behind Kevin Cummings who sits in second with 60. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 28) with post time set for 6 p.m.

(Photo of driver Drew Monti courtesy of Paul White)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

It was another big Saturday night (Sept. 22) for driver Drew Monti as he captured six wins on the card, including four straight from races two through five, to vault himself back into the lead for the dash driving title at Batavia Downs. 

Monti got his picture taken with Glory Jean (1:57.1, $7.20), Foreign Officer (1:54.4, $5.50), Four Diamonds (1:55.4, $5.80), Hands Off Frank (1:54, $6.80), Hardts Or Bettor (1:55.4, $2.90) and Barry’s Shelby (1:55, $8.40). 

The six wins now give him 61 for the meet, one more than Kevin Cummings (60) who also had a driving double on Saturday. 

Four of Monti’s wins (Foreign Officer, Four Diamonds, Hands Off Frank and Hardts Or Bettor) were behind horses trained by JD Perrin. And much like Monti,  Perrin pushed himself into the dash win training lead now with 26 victories after Saturday, four ahead of James Clouser Jr. who has 22. 

Clouser and Perrin are the top two Universal Trainer Rating (UTR) trainers among all those in North America with less than 500 starts this year. Clouser has a UTR of .472 and Perrin is right behind him with a .417. 

The feature race on the card was an $8,500 Open III pace that was won by Barry Hanover (Shawn McDonough). Barry Hanover got away second behind Southwind Torque (John Cummings Jr.) who led the race until the three-quarters when McDonough pulled, took the lead and paced away to an impressive three-length victory in a new lifetime mark of 1:53. 

Barry Hanover ($4.40) is owned by John Sixt and trained by Judy Blaun. 

Racing Under Saddle (RUS) New York had an exhibition race on Saturday with a purse of $3,000 that proved to be one of the best on the card to watch. 

Rider Sietski Dijkhof from the Netherlands was making her first North American RUS start and this girl came to play. Dijkhof rode No Recess from post five in the field of six and got away second behind last year’s Batavia RUS winner, Funny Photo (Sophie Engerran) and sat there until the half in 1:01.4. There Dijkhof pulled No Recess and went right after Funny Photo. 

The two horses trotted side by side, stride for stride up the backside and into the far turn when Funny Photo got a half-length advantage. But when they spun into the stretch, Dijkhof asked for more from No Recess and he responded by passing Funny Photo to win by a length in 2:02.1. 

The time was a new lifetime RUS mark for No Recess and a new RUS track record at Batavia Downs, replacing the 2:03.4 mark set by Admirable Hanover in 2016. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 26) with post time at 5 p.m.