harness racing

(Photo of Cruising In Style, courtesy of Geri Schwarz.)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The sixth of eight stops by the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) at Batavia Downs this year occurs on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 29) when 10 top Empire State-bred 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings will compete in two divisions for the $116,000 of prize money available for distribution.

The NYSS events go as race one and seven. There are also two Excelsior “A” contests that go in race two and five. Post time for the first race is 5 p.m.

The first $58,000 division is a wide open affair with little separating the field. 

Cruising In Style (Muscle Mass-Sos Respect) has yet to win a NYSS race but has raced well in other events this year. He has a win at Yonkers in 1:55.1 (which is his lifetime mark) in June and finished a respectable fourth at the Meadowlands in the $50,000 Drazin Stake on Hambo day  in 1:51.4 after cutting the mile. He is the top money winner in this division and should be able to leave in here, should they so desire. 

Jim Morrill Jr. is up for the second straight start for trainer Andrew Harris and has been made the morning line favorite at 2-1 from post five. 

Clive Bigsby (Muscle Mass-Northern Flare) finally draws inside after eight straight weeks of outside posts, On The Ropes (Chapter Seven-Rs Giggles) looks to improve off three straight third place finishes in NYSS action and Voss Volo (Credit Winner-Silver Springs) has the fastest seasonal mark of these but looks to get back the consistency he displayed earlier this year. 

The second $58,000 split has I’m The Muscle (Muscle Mass-Lady Bling) listed as the 9-5 favorite and he comes in streaking. 

I’m The Muscle started the year racing overnights at Rideau Carlton before transferring to the stable of Rene Allard in mid-July. Since then he has won four straight races including two Excel “A” events before taking a lifetime mark of 1:55.2 at Yonkers in his last outing. However this will be the first time this gelding has faced the top level NYSS competition, but he still figures to be a formidable foe.

Jason Bartlett is in town to drive and will start from post one. 

Don (Credit Winner-Angostura) has earned $116,466 this year on the strength of two NYSS victories but has also finished second in the $133,800 Dexter Cup final and the Empire Breeders Cup consolation. Perlucky (Lucky Chucky-Paper Girl) hasn’t missed a check all year before getting parked out in his last start, fading late and Purpose Blue Chip (Chapter Seven-Munis Blue Chip) has two NYSS wins this year and seems versatile enough to leave or sit.

Driver Drew Monti with Focus Power.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Drew Monti has become “Mr. Saturday Night” by winning five of the 10 races on the card at Batavia Downs for the second week in a row. Among his plethora of prizewinners this Saturday (Aug. 25) was Focus Power, who made a statement in his return after a six-week layoff in the $10,500 Open Handicap pace.

Buggati (Billy Davis Jr.) was the fastest off the gate and got to the front ahead of the pylon-starting Focus Power by the eighth pole. The pack followed the leader in single file to the quarter in :27 and past the half in :55.4. The top two continued unchallenged from behind to the three-quarters and it was obvious at that point that it would be a two-horse race to the wire from there. 

Davis rolled Buggati into the far turn with Focus Power doubled-up with pace on his back, waiting to get the call from Monti. That came at the apex of the final bend when he popped the deuce, broken headpole and all, and found a new gear immediately. Focus Power switched into glide and blew right past Buggati at the head of the lane and paced away under no urging whatsoever to a wrapped-up win in 1:53.1, which tied his seasonal mark. 

It was the fourth win in only 12 starts this year for Focus Power ($8.10) and it pushed his bank to $35,091 for owner James Caradori. Darrin Monti trains the winner. 

Monti’s other four driving wins came with R M Hawk (1:54.3, $4.90), Littlebitaclass (1:55, $4.80), Linkjack Hanover (1:53.4, $2.60) and Foreign Officer (1:55, $2.40). All four of these horses are trained by JD Perrin who led all conditioners for wins on the card. 

And not to be overlooked; another driver/trainer pair who had a big night Saturday was Shawn Gray and James Clouser Jr. who teamed up to send three winners for pictures. One of those was Tyler ($6.80) who took the garden spot tour before tipping off the last turn to win the $9,000 Open II in 1:55.3, last half in a fast :55.3. Tyler won his seventh race of the year for owner William Emmons. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 26) with post time at 1:15. Sunday is Family Fun Day and features the annual Wiener Dog Races, which begin at the conclusion of the last live harness race (approximately 4 p.m.)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

BZ Glide took the most direct path to victory Friday night (Aug. 24) going gate to wire on the point to win the $10,000 Open Handicap trot at Batavia Downs and claim his 40^th lifetime win in the process. 

BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) left three-deep into the first turn grabbing the front by the eighth pole and then hitting the pylons, but that didn’t mean it would be an easy trip from there. Empire Earl N (Shawn Gray) was rolling up the outside and drew alongside the leader at the quarter in a speedy :27.3, but Caprio didn’t let him go. These two battled it out to the half before Empire Earl N started to tail near the five-eighths marker. 

The end of one challenge led to the start of another as Call My Broker (Ray Fisher Jr.) was in gear from the back of the pack and went three-wide around Empire Earl N, and following him on the same path was Icanflylikeanangel (Drew Monti). The three fanned across the track at the head of the stretch with Monti and Fisher employing highly animated driving technics. But Caprio sat chilly, letting his big horse do the work and BZ Glide held of everyone to cross the wire on top by a length in 1:57.1. 

It was the fifth win of the year and third Batavia top class victory for BZ Glide ($5.90) who is owned by the Caprio Stable and trained by Alana Caprio. 

In the co-featured $8,000 Open II trot, Gwally (Ray Fisher Jr.) was parked out the final five-eighths of the mile chasing and eventually collaring the fleet-footed front runner Ruddy Rusty (Jim McNeight Jr.) at the wire by a half-length in 1:58.4. Gwally ($13.60) got his 30^th lifetime win and registered a new seasonal mark doing it for owners Marissa Russo and John Mariano and trainer Dave Russo.

Shawn Mcdonough had a big night, besting all drivers on Friday by winning three races on the card, two of which he also trains. 

Racing resumes on Saturday (Aug. 24) at Batavia Downs with post time at 6 p.m.

Repentance with driver Scott Zeron.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) 3-year-old trotting fillies visited Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 22) to compete for a combined $119,300 in purses that was distributed between two heats. Not everything went the way participating punters thought but one thing was for certain: Scott Zeron came to play. 

In the first $59,100 division, post time favorite Repentance (Chapter Seven-Swan Hot Mama) lived up to her billing. With Fury Road taking early control, driver Scott Zeron took Repentance to the pylons and tracked the proceedings from there until the group hit the half in :59 flat. 

Repentance pulled first up in front of the stands and incrementally advanced towards the leader from there, up the backside and around the last turn when she finally drew even at the head of the stretch. From there, Repentance trotted away from the pack under no urging whatsoever from Zeron to win by two lengths in 1:57.3. 

“I knew she could come first over so I didn’t hesitate to pull where I did. She trotted handily parked and had a lot finishing. She raced well” said Zeron after the race. 

It was the third win of the year for Repentance ($4.10) pushing her earnings to $77,559 for owner Diamond Creek Racing. Newly elected Hall of Fame member Linda Toscano trains the winner.

White Cheetah with driver Jim Morrill Jr.

The second division carried a purse of $60,200 and some of the bettors may have made as much through the windows as some of the check-getters in the race as White Cheetah (Muscle Mass-Wheely Quick) blew up the tote board at 36-1. 

Heavy post time favorite Lima Novelty (Scott Zeron) made a break just as the gate opened, leaving Natalie Hanover (Jim Marohn Jr.) loose on the lead and White Cheetah (Jim Morrill Jr.) tucked in second behind for the ride. Then at the eighth pole, the second betting choice Tribute To Seven (Drew Monti) who was third made a break as well, leaving Natalie Hanover and White Cheetah sitting one-two, a gapped five-lengths on the field. 

Nothing much changed from the quarter to the top of the stretch but then it happened quickly. Morrill pulled White Cheetah and in a couple strides she went right by Natalie Hanover ending up a one-length wrapped-up winner in 1:59.1. 

“When I saw the break, I went with Plan “A” all the way; I dropped in second and took my best shot. I drove her once before and knew she could trot and when I pulled her I had a lot of horse” Morrill said. 

White Cheetah ($74) got her third win of the year but it was first NYSS victory. The winner’s share pushed her bankroll for 2018 to $63,165 for owners Paul Kelley Racing Stable, Joe Sbrocco and Stable 45. Paul Kelley conditions the winner. 

White Cheetah’s large win mutuel prompted a $498 Exacta, $7,681 Trifecta and $12,210 Super. 

Scott Zeron had a huge outing at Batavia, grabbing five races on the card. Besides winning with Repentance, he also won all three divisions of the $15,000 Excelsior “A” series with A Gift For You (Credit Winner-Soprano Hanover) who is owned by Ken Jacobs and trained by George Ducharme, Sevenbuyeleven (Chapter Seven-Muscleini) who is also owned by Ken Jacobs and trained by Linda Toscano and Ithinkthatsmine (RC Royalty-Super Starlet) who is owned by Ray Campbell Jr. and trained by George Ducharme.

Zeron’s fifth win was in Excelsior “B” action with Good Luck Ginny (Lucky Chucky-Classical Ginny) who is owned by Phillip Hale and David Dewhurst, who also trains the winner. Good Luck Ginny finished in a dead-heat with Financial Impact (Muscle Mass-Steuben Miss) who was driven by Drew Monti for owner Marie Houghtaling and trainer Ron Houghtaling.

Photo of Southern Palms with driver Kevin Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Two longtime Batavia Downs regulars put up big numbers on Friday night (Aug. 17) in front of a packed apron and sold out clubhouse on a beautiful late summer evening in Genesee County. 

First, perennial driving leader Kevin Cummings won half the card, scoring five wins on the night, pulling away from his fellow drivers for the dash lead at the meet. Cummings won with Keystone Keen (1:56.4, $4.10), Striker Ace (1:57.2, $5.40), Gold Star Sonata (1:57.1, $4), Southern Palms (1:57, $21.20) and Northern Matador (1:59, $3). 

Cummings is firmly entrenched as the current driving leader to this point with 27 wins; seven ahead of his nearest competitor. He is chasing his fifth title at the Downs and is off to a flying start. 

Then legendary western New York horseman Gerry Sarama conditioned the winners of both featured trots, winning each with ease and returning double-digit payouts to boot. 

In the $10,000 Open Handicap, Southern Palms (Kevin Cummings) got off to a slow start fourth as Ruddy Rusty (Jim McNeight Jr.) was rolling down the road with a four-length lead in a fast :56.4 half. Southern Palms took advantage of the fraction and became second over at three-quarters behind Call My Broker (Ray Fisher Jr.) who was rushing the leader. At the head of the stretch the three were even across the track but Southern Palms trotted home the best and won by two lengths in 1:57, which was a new seasonal mark. 

The very next race in the $8,000 Open II, Sarama decided to send Theresnoway (Ray Fisher Jr.) right down the road and he never looked back. After getting to the half in :58.2, Fisher let out the lines and Theresnoway opened up five by three-quarters and eight by the top of the stretch and from there he cruised to the wire much the best by eight in 1:57.1, which was also a new seasonal mark. 

Southern Palms ($21.20) and Theresnoway ($11.40) are both owned by Mike Torcello.

Bedsides the big nights had by Cummings and Sarama, driver Drew Monti and trainer John Mungillo each added two wins to their meet totals. 

The annual Race to Defeat Breast Cancer fundraiser and silent auction that was held by the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR) and sponsored by Batavia Downs was a rousing success as donations collected amounted to over $12,000 and beat last year’s total.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Aug. 18) with post time set at 6 o'clock.

Kaitlyn Rae with driver Ray Fisher Jr. in the forefront.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs​

After having no luck in three top class attempts at Batavia Downs so far this year, Kaitlyn Rae had a reversal of fortunes as she knocked the apple cart at 12-1 and won the $9,500 fillies and mares Open Handicap pacing feature on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 15).

Kaitlyn Rae (Ray Fisher Jr.) saw All Charged Up (John Macdonald) whiz by her to take the lead and was content to sit in the garden spot for most of the mile. Positions remained unchanged from there through a :27.4 quarter and :58 half.

Past the stands, Roll With Sparky (Billy Davis Jr.) came to play and hung outside prompting the leader all that way through the top of the last turn. Roll With Sparky tired at that point and Kaitlyn Rae was able to extract herself from the two hole at the head of the stretch. All Charged Up had a two-length lead, but Kaitlyn Rae was pacing out of her hobbles under jack-in-the-box urging by Fisher and collared All Charged Up at the wire in 1:55.

It was the ninth win in 22 starts for Kaitlyn Rae ($26.00) and it pushed her earnings to $44,695 this year for owner/trainer Riley Asher-Stalbaum.

The $8,000 ladies Open II saw Odysseus (Ray Fisher Jr.) get away eighth at the quarter before pulling second over behind Quicksilvercandy A (Ron Beback Jr.) at the half and tip three-deep around the final turn to outpace the leading Aritzia Hanover (John Cummings Jr.) at the wire in 1:57.1.

Odysseus ($9.60) got her third win in her last five starts over three different tracks, but it was the first for her new connections Elm Racing and trainer Russell Bratt.

There was no winner in either Pick-5 wager on Wednesday and as a result, Batavia Downs will be offering a guaranteed $1,750 early Pick-5 pool with an $838 carry over on Friday (Aug. 17). The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester will also be holding their fundraiser and silent auction on Friday with Buffalo Bills, Sabres and Justin Timberlake suite tickets available for bid all night. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

As a result of no winning ticket once again on Wednesday (Aug. 8), Batavia Downs will offer a $2,500 guaranteed early Pick-5 pool when racing resumes on Saturday (Aug. 11) at the oldest lighted harness track in America.

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 to the Late Pick-5 that begins in race seven. The late Pick-5 is a $1 minimum bet.

Post time for the first race today (Aug. 11) is 6 p.m. 

Thunder with driver Kevin Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Thrilling stretch drives with close finishes were the order of the day at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 8) when the 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings visited the Genesee County oval to compete in the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for the $109,000 in available purses.

Thunder (Conway Hall-Cr Oh Suzanna) won the first $54,500 division with a big brush from behind.

JNR Express (Jim Morrill Jr.) cut a decent first quarter before slowing the half forcing Chip Chip Conway (Jim Taggart Jr.) to pull first up with Thunder (Kevin Cummings) following right behind. JNR Express and Chip Chip Conway hooked up and went at it toe to toe from the five eighths all around the last turn with Thunder drafting behind. Thunder tipped three deep at the head of the lane and ran down Chip Chip Conway in deep stretch to win in 1:58.3.

"I had to get after him to get him started; he was a little lazy. But he was good once he got started. He's a nice going trotter," said Cummings after the race.

It was the second straight win and a new lifetime mark for Thunder ($9.60) who is owned by Crawford Farms Racing, Jeremy Day and the VIP Internet Stable. John Butenschoen trains the winner. Thunder was bred by Walnut Hall Limited.

Cavill Hanover (Muscle Mass-Cr Calendar Girl), in photo above with driver Ake Svanstedt, took the second $54,500 split after a very hard fought battle to the wire.

Horns For Three (Kevin Cummings) went right to the front and Cavill Hanover dropped in right in behind him. With the field single file to the half, Cummings backed it off considerably forcing Cavill Hanover to pull and challenge just pass that station. Drawing alongside the leader by the three quarters, Cavill Hanover and Horns For Three were now hooked up in a match race. The two trotted like a mirror image around the final bend, down the stretch and all the way to the wire where Cavill Hanover just got the advantage and won in 1:59.3, with a snappy back half of :57.4.

Svanstedt was complimentary of both his horse as well as Horns For Three: "My horse went good, but the horse we beat went good too. The race was very competitive."

Cavill Hanover ($3.90) has now won three out of his last four races for his connections, Little E, Vanersol Inc. and Wolfgang A Stable. His driver Ake Svanstedt also does the training. Cavill Hanover was bred at Hanover Shoe Farm.

There were also three $15,000 Excel “A” races on the card.

Lucky June Bug (Lucky Chucky-Ebbtide Hall) trotted in 2:00 flat and registered a new lifetime mark for driver John Macdonald and trainer Stanley Zombick Jr. Lucky June Bug ($9.30) is owned by Michael Pozefsky, William Pozefsky and Myron Eckstein. Sam Stoltzfus Jr. bred the winner.

Lights Come On (Chapter Seven-Starlit Eyes) won in 2:02.4 and took a new lifetime mark as directed by Drew Monti for trainer Anette Lorentzen. Lights Come On ($3.10) is owned by ACL Stuteri AB, Theodore Gewertz and Anette Lorentzen. Winbak Farm was the breeder.

Jason’s Camden (Muscle Mass-Palm Beach Chic) went wire to wire in 2:00.3 for team Orange Crush: Andy Miller in the bike for trainer Julie Miller. Jason’s Camden ($2.90) is owned by the Andy Miller Stable, Harvey Eisman and Little E, who also bred the colt.

(Photo of driver Scott Zeron courtesy of Geri Schwarz.)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Fresh off his $1 million Hambletonian win with the filly Atlanta on Saturday (Aug. 4), driver Scott Zeron will be competing at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 8) in the $109,000 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings. 

Zeron will drive in both $54,500 divisions as well as two of the three $15,000 Excel “A” races on the card. 

The NYSS are in races two and six with post time for the first race at 5 p.m.

Zeron had a huge afternoon at the Meadowlands on Saturday. Besides winning the Hambletonian with Atlanta (who became only the 14^th filly to win that 3-year-old trotting stake in its 93-year history), he also won the $286,650 John Cashman Memorial trot with Marion Marauder (who Zeron also won the 2016 Hambletonian with) and the $260,100 Sam McKee Memorial pace with Western Joe.   

In the first NYSS division at Batavia on Wednesday, Zeron will drive Thunder (Conway Hall-Cr Oh Suzanna) for trainer John Butenschoen. 

Thunder has had some issues, making a bad break two starts ago. However last week at Saratoga Raceway he seems to have righted the ship by winning in 1:59.2 to gain his first lifetime win. Zeron drove him last week in that NYSS event and will look for a chance to have him double up in this race, starting from post seven. 

He will have to take on the morning line favorite Chip Chip Conway (Conway Hall-Get Chipped) who is coming in off two strong outings. 

After making two consecutive breaks in his first two NYSS starts, trainer Gary Messenger added trotting hobbles and the gelding qualified back fine. Since then he has won in a lifetime best 1:58 at Tioga Downs and finished second by a head to Thunder last week. Regular driver Jim Taggart Jr. will be back in the bike once again, leaving from post six.

In the second division, Our White Knight (Crazed-Psychotherapist) gets the services of Zeron and looks to up his game. So far this year he is a perfect four for four finishing second and is still looking for that first win. 

Our White Knight got away well last week and became forwardly placed early, which helped his good closing ability to be more effective at the end of the mile. With an inside post this week, look for a similar situation with Zeron up from post two. John Butenschoen also trains this gelding.

The main rival here is morning line favorite Labadee AS (Conway Hall-Smith Hall) who has two consecutive open-length wins in Excel “A” action. However this week he moves back up to the top tier for this race, which is the first time he has been in a NYSS event since his first lifetime start on July 9. Andy Miller, who finished second to Atlanta in the Hambletonian with Met’s Hall, picks up the lines for trainer Anette Lorentzen for the first time behind Labadee AS with post one. 

In the Excel “A” races, Zeron will also drive Simple Kaos (RC Royalty-Ksenia) from post one in the eighth race for trainer George Ducharme and Crazy Every Time (Crazed-Bar Ballad) from post five in the ninth race for trainer Jim Mc Donald. 

Although only driving for 12 years, the 29-year-old Zeron has posted some phenomenal numbers through his career, starting out on the very competitive Ontario tracks and then moving to the Grand Circuit. 

Currently Zeron has 3,390 wins, 2,870 seconds and 2,785 thirds out of 22,014 start with $62,507,595 in earnings. 

Zeron was the youngest Canadian driver to reach 1,000 wins and the youngest driver in history to reach 2,000 wins. He was also the youngest driver ever to win the Little Brown Jug with Michael's Power in 2012. 

In 2012 Zeron received the Rising Star Award from the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) and showed why he got that honor with the biggest year of his career (to that point) in 2016 when he won the Meadowlands driving title and the trotting Triple Crown with Marion Marauder.

Photo of Icanflylikeanangel with reinsman Drew Monti.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

After a narrow defeat in his first start here, the second time was the charm for Icanflylikeanangel who overpowered the early leader to win the $10,000 Open Handicap trotting feature at Batavia Downs on this afternoon (Aug. 5).

The short field of six was shortened even further with the scratch of last week’s winner Dragin The Wagon who called in sick. But the fast five left the gate with usual pace-setter and track record holder Chelseas Chance (Billy Davis Jr.) on the point once again. After a solid :28.3 quarter with the trailers all sitting in, Davis tried to put them to sleep with a :31 second panel as no one would come off the rail. However Icanflylikeanangel (Drew Monti) who had gotten away last, had enough and pulled in front of the stands to make his way up the rim.

With moderate acceleration towards the front up the backside, Icanflylikeanangel drew near the leader by the three-quarters in 1:28.3 and the race was on from there. The two trotted around the last turn less than a length apart but when they hit the top of the stretch, Monti woke up Icanflylikeanangel with a spirited drive and hit the wire a winner by a neck in 1:57.2.

It was the fifth win in 16 2018 starts for Icanflylikeanangel ($6.80) and it increased his coffers to $48,670 for this year. The 4-year-old Archangel gelding is owned by Joseph Hess and is trained by D Benny Eggers.

In the $8,000 Open II Handicap trot, Empire Earl N (Shawn Gray) was a gate to wire winner from the outside post six, besting his five competitors in 1:57.1. It was the seventh win of the year for Empire Earl N ($6.80) is owned by Kim Asher and is trained by Riley Asher-Stalbaum.

Driver Drew Monti had a natural Grand Slam on the card, winning races six through nine. Besides winning with Icanflylikeanangel, he also scored with Sara Cola (1:55.3, $10.20), Theresnoway (1:57.4, $5.30) and Stonebridge Marvel (1:57, $6.10).

Live racing resumes on Monday (Aug. 6) at Batavia Downs with a first race post time of 5 p.m. This is the only Monday of racing in August.

In Runaway Bay with reinsman Kevin Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

In Runaway Bay made his 2018 Batavia Downs debut a winning one after moving up in class and tripping out the mile to win the $10,500 Open Handicap pace on Saturday night (Aug. 4).

Bugatti (Ron Beback Jr.) got away sharp off the gate and went right for the lead. But Lucan Hanover (John Cummings Jr.) wanted to command the race as well and the fight for the front was on. Going hoof to hoof through quarters of :27.3, :56.1 and 1:25 flat, Bugatti and Lucan Hanover duked it out while In Runaway Bay (Kevin Cummings) laid-in-wait third on the pegs.

Halfway around the final bend, Lucan Hanover succumbed to the pace, making room for In Runaway Bay to pull and advance in the stretch. Bugatti was still live but In Runaway Bay had fresh legs and ran him down at the wire to win in 1:54.1 by a half-length.

In Runaway Bay ($17.20) has now earned $34,795 on the strength of four 2018 wins for owner Mark Jakubik and trainer Angelo Nappo.

In the $9,000 Open II pacing sub-feature, Validus Deo (Kevin Cummings) sat a perfect pocket trip behind Tioga Downs invader Believe This Bob (Mike Caprio) from the start of the race until just past the three-quarters when Cummings pulled right-line and drew next to the leader. They paced around the final bend together, but then Validus Deo accelerated past Believe This Bob in mid-stretch under strong urging to win by two lengths in 1:54.

Looking very sharp off the sick scratch in his last start, Validus Deo ($15.80) now has six wins this year and $35,376 in earnings for owners Matthew Rosiek, Robert Johnson and Kevin Cummings, who also trains the winner.

Cummings completed the natural driving hat trick with Rock Fame ($11.20) who paced a season’s best 1:54.1 for owner Mike Torcello and trainer Gerry Sarama.

There is a $328 carryover pool for the early Pick-5 wager on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 5) which runs from race one through race five. Post time for Sunday’s card was 1:15 p.m.

So Awesome with driver Jim Morrill Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

With $105,000 up for grabs in the New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night, 10 of the best state-bred 2-year-old pacing fillies were on hand to compete in two divisions for the spoils and both winners put in career best efforts to get the job done.

So Awesome (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) lived up to her name in the first $52,500 division as she led the race at every station of the mile. 

So Awesome (Jim Morrill Jr.) got away second momentarily before pulling past the eighth and taking the front by the quarter. With the field in single file behind, Morrill grabbed leather and had So Awesome set a pedestrian :58 half before picking up the pace in the third panel with a crisp :28.4. It was then JK American Beauty (Daniel Dube) pulled the pocket and came after at the leader. 

JK American Beauty accelerated into the final turn got almost even with So Awesome around that bend. But Morrill fed So Awesome some line and she switched gears and paced away to the wire, finishing a wrapped-up winner in 1:55, which was a new lifetime mark for the filly. 

“She had good position and when I got her to the front she did all the work. I was just a passenger the whole mile,” said Morrill after the race.

So Awesome ($3.00) now has three wins in five lifetime starts and $96,615 in earnings for owner William Hartt. Scott Di Domenico trains the winner. 

The second $52,500 split saw Hurrikane Norakane (Art Major-Western Heat) win decisively off of a strong front-end effort.

(Hurrikane Norakane with driver Dan Dube.)

Taking the lead when the gate opened, Hurrikane Norakane (Dan Dube) was immediately pressured by Gia’s Surreal (John Macdonald) who tried to leave and then lost the hole. With post time favorite Brooklyn Lilacs (Jim Morrill Jr.) sitting second behind the her, Hurrikane Norakane held Gia’s Surreal at bay to the half in :56.3 and Gia’s Surreal kept Brooklyn Lilacs locked in until almost the three-quarters when she finally faded. 

As soon as the opportunity presented itself, Brooklyn Lilacs pulled at the apex of the far turn and tried to get to Hurrikane Norakane. But the filly in front would have none of that. Hurrikane Norakane opened up a quick three-length lead while Dube sat like a statue and won in 1:55.1, which was another lifetime mark this night.

“I thought she was the best from the rail and that’s why I went down the road with her. I never even popped the plugs” Dube recounted in the winner’s circle. 

Now with her first NYSS win, Hurrikane Norakane ($6.70) has put $73,300 in the bank so far this year for owners Jonathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing, Pegasis Investment Group and George Vierno. John Mc Dermott trains the winner. 

There were also two divisions of the $15,000 Excel “A” series on the card.

Dorothy’s Legacy (Art Major-Put On A Display) was a gate to wire winner in 1:58.1 for driver Daniel Dube in the first division. Dorothy’s Legacy ($7.20) is owned by R. B. H. Ventures Inc., Capital Call and Joe Sbrocco and is trained by Kevin Mc Dermott. 

The second set was bested by Sun Viser (Heston Blue Chip-Beach Bonnet) who upset the field when he came first-over at three-quarters and pulled away to a two-length victory in 1:57.2, which was a new lifetime mark. Sun Viser ($38.80) is owned by Triple D Stables and is trained by Scott Di Domenico. 

Di Domenico ended up with a training triple on Wednesday’s card. Besides the aforementioned So Awesome and Sun Viser, he also sent Joe’s Girl (Roll With Joe-Donna’s Girl) to the winner’s circle after a 1:57.1, career best effort in Excel “B” action for owners Triple D Stables and JFE Enterprise. Jim Morrill Jr. drove. 

Overall in New York bred action, Daniel Dube had a driving triple while Jim Morrill Jr. captured two wins.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Horsemen at Batavia Downs please note that there will be a double draw on Thursday (Aug. 2) for Sunday (Aug. 5) and Monday (Aug. 6). The box will close for both days on Thursday at 9 a.ms

Press release:

The Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund is hosting a seminar for new and prospective Standardbred horse owners at the Batavia Downs from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25.

Participants are invited to gather at 3 p.m. for informational panel discussions, a tour of the backstretch, followed by dinner and live racing.

Panels discussions will be led by industry veterans and cover a variety of topics relating to Standardbred ownership, including types of ownership, the risks and rewards of owning a Standardbred racehorse, training costs, vet bills, tax issues/incentives, and other financial considerations.

Reservations are requested to ensure sufficient materials are available. For additional information, including pricing details and to RSVP, please contact Angie McGrath at amcgrath@caphill.com or call 518-694-5002.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

A total of $105,000 is up for grabs with only 10 entrants on hand to compete for it in two divisions as the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old pacing fillies rolls into Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 1).

The NYSS events are carded as race one and seven with post time for the first race at 5 p.m.

So Awesome (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) will lead the way in the first $52,500, five-horse division and has some impressive early career stats to back her. She has two lifetime wins in four lifetime starts and both were in NYSS action. Oddly enough they were both scored at Yonkers Raceway and both timed in 1:55.3.

As a result of her work, So Awesome has put $70,365 on her card thus far making her the richest, fastest and winningest filly entered here. So Awesome also ranks second in points and earnings in her age, gait and gender group overall in the state-bred series.

So Awesome is trained by Scott Di Domenico and will be leaving from post two with driver Jim Morrill Jr.

JK American Beauty (American Ideal-JK Black Beauty) has yet to win a NYSS race, but she hasn't been off the board either. With a second and two thirds to her credit, she has continued to learn each week while finishing well in all her starts. The filly is almost certain to get another good trip here from inside and could break her maiden if things go right.

JK American Beauty will be driven from post one by Daniel Dube for trainer Nancy Johansson.

Looking to get back on track in the second $52,500 five-horse split is Brooklyn Lilacs (Rock n Roll Heaven-Sombodythatiustono) who won her first two NYSS events, but got disqualified in the second after pacing erratically at the three-quarters. She had over two weeks off after that race and then qualified impressively at Harrah's Philadelphia in 1:56.1 by eight lengths. This will be her first start back since that outing and her current form appears to bode well for her chances in this race.

Trainer Joe Holloway has Jim Morrill Jr. back in the bike for Brooklyn Lilacs third NYSS start and they will start from post three.

Hurrikane Norakane (Art Major-Western Heat) appears to be the formidable foe. After getting her first NYSS win through the disqualification of Brooklyn Lilacs three starts back, she experienced a very rough trip at Tioga Downs the next week getting parked-out the better part of the mile. But she bounced back well in her last start which was back at Yonkers where she finished a strong second to top point-getter St. Somewhere in 1:53.4. Now finding herself right back in a week later in a short field, Hurrikane Norakane looks to put herself in the spotlight.

Hurrikane Norakane has post one for driver Daniel Dube and trainer John Mc Dermott.

There are also two $15,000 divisions of the Excel “A” series on the card.

Photo of Chelsea’s Chance with driver Billy Davis Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Chelsea’s Chance took full advantage of a strong front-end bias at Batavia Downs on this afternoon (July 29) as she went gate to wire in the $8,000 Open II trot, stopping the clock in 1:56.1 and breaking the track record for aged trotting mares of 1:56.2 set just last year by Skyway Priss.

Chelsea’s Chance (Billy Davis Jr.) left from post one and never looked back. She set fractions of :28.2, :58 and 1:26.3 as a gapped leader before turning for home with Davis high-lining and a two-length advantage that she held to the wire.

The win time of 1:56.1 also equaled her own seasonal mark taken earlier this year.

It was the seventh win of the year and second consecutive victory at Batavia Downs for Chelsea’s Chance ($3.40) who is owned and trained by Sabrina Clevenger.

The top billed trot of the day was the $10,000 Open Handicap trot and front end speed prevailed once again. 

Tioga Downs invader Dragin The Wagon (Ray Fisher Jr.), in photo above, took the lead and dictated fractions the entire way.

Without any movement for most of the mile, Icanflylikeanangel (Billy Davis Jr.) made a bid past the five-eighths and pushed Dragin The Wagon around the final bend.

But Fisher kept Dragin The Wagon live enough to hold Icanflylikeanangel at bay yet didn't allow the pocket-sitting Empire Earl N (Drew Monti) any room to get out in the stretch and hung on to win by a half-length in 1:57.4.

Dragin The Wagon ($6.30) is owned by Cary, David and Michael Cantelon and is trained by Jeff Byron. 

Drew Monti led all drivers on Sunday with three wins that included Beechwood Wayne who scored his 57th lifetime victory. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday afternoon (July 30) with a nine-race card that kicks off at 5 o' clock.

(Photo courtesy of Paul White.)

By Tom Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

After a two-week furlough, Sir Ziggy’s Z Tam was back taking on a short but select field in the $10,000 Open pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (July 28) and in the process, got back to his winning ways. 

Sir Ziggy’s Z Tam (Drew Monti) got away fourth as Classic American (Billy Davis Jr.) shot for the lead. The race got boring for the next five-eighths of a mile as position remained unchanged until just before three-quarters when Hardts Or Bettor (Ray Fisher Jr.) pulled from third and tried to advance. At this point, Sir Ziggy’s Z Tam was locked in last on the pylons. 

As they headed out of the last turn, Hardts Or Bettor’s bid failed and he was heading south. Barry Hanover (Kevin Cummings) who sat second the whole mile, popped the deuce and paced right by Classic American to take the lead. But Sir Ziggy’s Z Tam who was almost three lengths behind the new leader, roared down the center of the track under methodic urging by Monti to make up the deficit and win by a length in 1:54.4.  

It was the sixth win in nine starts for the high percentage Sir Ziggy’s Z Tam ($8.10) who now has banked $36,175 in 2018 for owner Tessa Roland and trainer JD Perrin. 

In the co-featured $9,000 Open II, Bugatti (Billy Davis Jr.) tripped-out behind an aggressively paced Brunello N (Drew Monti) and capitalized on the fractions when Davis pulled right leather and let his horse fly home in :27.4 to win by two lengths in 1:54. 

Bugatti ($7.10) is owned by Keith Pinkowski and trained by Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr. 

Billy Davis Jr. put on a show for the weekend faithful, winning five of the eleven races on the card. Besides the afore mentioned Bugatti, Davis also scored with OK Gemma (1:57, $18), Bold And Brassy (1:55, $3.30), Osprey Vision (1:58.2, $3.80) and Energizer Ivory (1:56.4, $4.50). 

The five wins by Davis bolted him from sixth to first in the driver standings, tying with Kevin Cummings for the lead with six wins on the meet. Cummings and Monti both scored doubles on Saturday. 

With no winner in the Pick-5 wager once again on Saturday, there will be a guaranteed pool of $2,000 for the early Pick-5 this afternoon (July 29) when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs. The early Pick-5 wager starts in race one and runs through race five. 

Post time for the first race today is 1:15 p.m.