harness racing

(Wisdom Tree with driver Kevin Cummings.) Photos courtesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The heavily favored Wisdom Tree (Betterthancheddar-Wisdom) displayed why everyone from the track handicapper to the bettors heavily endorsed her as she dominated the field in her division of the $120,400 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old pacing fillies at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (July 25).

Wisdom Tree (Kevin Cummings) left for the lead but had to work hard for it; getting to the quarter in :27 flat. But once she cleared and settled in, the filly was in total control. Cummings backed the half off considerably before speeding up the proceedings up the backstretch, although no one was close enough to challenge. By the three-quarters Wisdom Tree had opened up a three-length advantage which she held as she cruised around the far turn and down the lane to win in 1:53, which was just one-fifth off the track record.

Cummings said after the race “That was pretty easy once she got to the front. I backed off the second quarter to :29.1 and it was pretty much over from there. I had to get after her in the third quarter because she was starting to go to sleep on me but around the last turn when I pulled the plugs, she responded well and was looking for horses because she was off by herself for most of the mile.”

It was the fourth win in her last five starts and eighth win of 2018 for Wisdom Tree ($2.70) who has now carded $215,785 for the year for owners Thomas Pollack and Jeffrey Cullipher. Ed Hart trains the winner.

Wisdom Tree was a $28,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington Select yearling sale and was bred by Winbak Farm.

(Alexis Faith with driver Jim Morrill Jr.)

Alexis Faith (American Ideal-Cannae Cammie) put in as impressive an effort in her division, but she did it from behind. Getting away sixth from post seven, Alexis Faith (Jim Morrill Jr.) watched from afar as Hurrikane Shorty (Jim Marohn Jr.) sped away with a loose lead in :27.1, :56 and 1:24.1. At that last station, Morrill was finally able to get his filly off the pylons from sixth and tipped three-deep into the last bend. She went from sixth to first during the arc of the turn and sped away to a two-length lead when they straightened out to win in 1:53.4.

"She was very good tonight; she's been good pretty much right along. She threw a clunker in her last start but we came to find out she was sick. So we have her healthy again and she's back. She made a big move three-wide tonight but she did the same thing at Yonkers two starts down, coming home in :27.1. Once she gets moving she's good," Morrill said.

It was the second win of the year for Alexis Faith ($6.60) but first of 2018 in the NYSS. The filly is owned by West Wins Stable, Jim Fielding, J. Robert Darrow and Kevin McKinlay and trained by Casie Coleman.

Alexis Faith was purchased at the Lexington Select yearling sale for $55,000 and was bred by Melvin Segal.

The third leg saw Ubettergo Go (Art Major-Ubetterthink Think) leave from post seven and tuck fourth at the eighth pole while Checkered Past (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Solitary (Jim Marohn Jr.) argued for the front. But halfway up the backside, her driver Mark Macdonald had her out and rolling and took the front by the quarter in :27.2. With the field in single file, Ubettergo Go slowed the pace and forced Apothic (Drew Monti) to advance an outer flow.

The field hit three-quarters in two rows with Ubettergo Go still calling the shots, but Apothic looked live and Checkered Past was ready to strike having gotten the perfect pocket trip to this point. At the head of the lane, Macdonald asked Ubettergo Go and she responded by opening up a two length lead and hitting the wire in first in 1:53.4.

"She went well. That was a bruising first quarter in :27.2 but she ended up pacing away anyway. She kind of stepped over a little shadow around the last turn there and it took her mind off her work for a minute, but then she just breezed her way home. She's a real nice filly," Macdonald said.

(Ubettergo Go with driver Mark Macdonald.)

Ubettergo Go ($4.40), in photo above, is owned by Blake Macintosh, Tony Basile, Reginald Petitpas and Ozzie Mackay and is trained by Blake Macintosh.

Ubettergo Go was a $13,000 Harrisburg yearling purchase and was bred by Concord Stud and Birnam Wood Farms.

There were also two $15,000 division of the Excel "A" series on the card.

The first division went to KJ's Justine (American Ideal-Day Blue Chip), winning gate to wire in 1:55.4. KJ's Justine ($6.10) was driven Jim Morrill Jr. for trainer Linda Toscano and owner Ken Jacobs.

The second division was won by Psychic Blue Chip (Art Major-All Spirit) who also led at every station in 1:56. Psychic Blue Chip ($9) was driven by Ray Fisher Jr. for trainer Joseph Skowyra and owners Jeffrey Clark and Vernon Cannon.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

For the second time in as many racing days, a band of state-bred sisters will be invading Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (July 25) when the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) 3-year-old pacing fillies go postward to compete in three divisions for a total purse of $120,400.

NYSS divisions go in races one, five and seven with post time for the first race at 5 p.m.

Headlining the pool of 22 participants is Wisdom Tree (Betterthancheddar-Wisdom) who will be competing in the $39,900 third division. This filly is not only tearing up the NYSS this year; she is also racing large on the Grand Circuit.

Besides winning three New York events so far, Wisdom Tree also won the $142,000 Nadia Lobell at Hoosier Park on July 6, setting a new lifetime mark and track record of 1:49.4 in the process. A week later she drew post 12 in the 1-1/8^th mile $191,800 Mistletoe Shallee at the Meadowlands and finished a strong closing fourth behind the winner Kissin In The Sand after being parked out over half a mile in the distance race timed in 2:04.1.

Wisdom Tree ranks high in stats among all 3-year-old pacing fillies in North America. For the year so far she is the third richest ($195,835), fourth fastest (1:49.4) and fifth winningest (seven) against all her rivals. In the NYSS she is the highest point-getter, has the most wins and has earned the most money.

Trainer Ed Hart has called on Kevin Cummings to drive the 8-5 early favorite Wisdom Tree who will leave from post six.

In the first $39,900 division Ubettergo Go (Art Major-Ubetterthink) started the year strong, winning back-to-back NYSS events. She then qualified for the $315,400 final of the Fan Hanover at Mohawk Raceway where fast early fractions caught up to her late and saw her finish seven lengths behind the winner. She was given a 26 day rest after that start and looked fresh finishing second by a head in 1:52.2 in a NYSS event at Vernon Downs. Now after another 11 day break, she looks like the one to beat.

Trainer Blake Macintosh has Mark Macdonald in the bike behind Ubettergo Go who starts from post seven at 5-2.

The main competition looks to be Solitary (American Ideal-Lonesome Day) who moves up from Excel “A” action at Vernon where she finished a strong second in 1:52.1 and Apothic (Art Major-Permafrost) who paced in 1:51.3 finishing third in a NYSS race at Vernon as well. Both mares are still looking for their first NYSS win.

Solitary leaves from post one for driver Jim Marohn Jr. and trainer Nick Surick and Apothic starts next to her in post two with trainer Mark Harder calling on Drew Monti to drive.

The second division goes for $40,600 and has Alexis Faith (American Ideal-Cannae Cammie) listed as the 5-2 morning line choice. Alexis Faith has yet to win a NYSS event this year after being the 2-year-old champion in 2017, but she has finished second on two occasions. Like Ubettergo Go, Alexis Faith also raced in the Fan Hanover final and fared a bit better. After cutting three-quarters of the mile and having an open lead at the head of the stretch, Alexis Faith ended up fourth by only two lengths in 1:50.4.

Arguing for the purse will be Presto Blue Chip (American Ideal-Cantor’s Daughter) who just got beat at Vernon in 1:52.2 in her last start in NYSS action and Jewels Forreal (So Surreal-Dandy’s Jewel) who took a lifetime mark of 1:51 at Tioga Downs in the $23,500 Geers Stake on June 29.

Drew Monti drives Presto Blue Chip from post two for trainer Jeffrey Smith and Jewels Forreal has the services of Matt Kakaley from post six for trainer Ron Burke.

There are also two $15,000 division of the Excel “A” series in races two and three and one $6,800 division of Excel “B” in race 11.

(Photo of Conway Kellyanne and driver Charlie Norris courtesy of Paul White.)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Three $36,567 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old trotting fillies were contested under rainy conditions on opening night at Batavia Downs Monday evening (July 23), but the weather didn’t deter the girls from going some impressive miles throughout the night.

Conway Kellyanne (Conway Hall-Pacific Centerfold) won the fastest heat and she did it very convincingly. After dropping in third off the gate, Conway Kellyanne (Charlie Norris) pulled past the eighth pole and rolled up the outside to take the lead from Safe Word (Jeff Gregory) at the quarter. She cleared, hit the pylons and the race was basically over.

Conway Kellyanne continued to lead unchallenged until the top of the stretch when Safe Word pulled the pocket to make a rush. But the attempt was to no avail as Conway Kellyanne opened up three at the wire in an easy 1:59.4 victory.

Conway Kellyanne ($4.20) is owned by Carrie Norris, Acadia Farms and G & B Racing and is trained by her driver, Charlie Norris.

The first division was won by Quincy Blue Chip (Chapter Seven-Sirenuse) who was parked to the quarter in :30.2 before taking the lead, but when she cleared it was for good. Driver Jim Morrill Jr. grabbed leather in the middle half maintaining an open length advantage. Around the last turn Quincy Blue Chip was given her head and she stepped the final panel in :29.1, drawing off to a two length win in 2:01.2.

Quincy Blue chip ($2.70) is owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. and is trained by Garth Dowse.

And the final split was taken by Winndevie (Credit Winner-Vida De Vie) in a thrilling finish. Water Lily Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) went down the road, hitting the half in 1:00 over the off track with the heavily favored Amal Hall (Andy Miller) right on her back. After passing the three-eighths, Liquorstoreblues (Jim Morrill Jr.) pulled from fourth and Winndevie (Trond Smedshammer) followed along. As they rolled up, Amal Hall pulled from second in front of both of them and the outside group moved forward.

When these three hit the head of the lane they fanned across the track. It was Amal Hall on the pylons, Liquorstoreblues in the middle and Winndevie three-wide and farthest back. Amal Hall looked like she was the best but Winndevie flew past Liquorstoreblues and caught the leader right at the wire to win in 2:00.1.

Winndevie ($6.20) is now undefeated lifetime after scoring her third win in a row for Wanda Polisseni’s Purple Haze Stable and trainer Trond Smedshammer.

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

The first leg was won by Lifetime Credit (Credit Winner-Mariah De Vie) in a lifetime best 2:01.3. Lifetime Credit was driven by John Stark Jr. for owner by Robert Messing and trainer Maureen Salino.

The second division went to Beautiful Brenda (Credit Winner-Yankeedoodlecandy) who registered her first lifetime win in 2:03.3. Beautiful Brenda ($4.10) was driven by Scott Zeron for owners Rick, Joe and Johnny Stable, The Camel Club Stable and Bettola Stables Inc. Rick Zeron trains the winner.

And the final grouping was bested by Jumalay Mass (Muscle Mass-Acoustic Hanover) who also went a lifetime best 2:02.4. Owned by Erv Miller, Joe Faraldo and George Golemes and trained by Erv Miller, Jumalay Mass returned $3.40.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (July 25) at 5 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

As the Standardbreds gather for the start of the 72^nd season of racing at the oldest lighted harness track in America this evening (July 23), Batavia Downs celebrates the opening by hosting three $36,567 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old trotting fillies.

The NYSS events are carded in races two, four and six with post time for the card set at 6 p.m.

The first event has Quincy Blue Chip (Chapter Seven-Sirenuse) listed as the 8-5 morning line choice and she certainly looks the part. After winning her first lifetime start wire to wire over an off track at Yonkers Raceway on July 3, Quincy Blue Chip just got beat a neck in her second outing at Buffalo Raceway but still knocked two-full seconds off her initial clocking, being timed in 1:59.

Quincy Blue Chip will leave from post four with driver Jim Morrill Jr. for trainer Garth Dowse.

Gobi Princess (Muscle Mass-Mrs. D) made a break in her career debut at Yonkers but still finished fifth despite the trip. In her last start at Buffalo she minded her manners and was rated well along the pylons to finish a strong second, closing at the wire. She will be a major competitor from post one and should get a perfect trip from there.

Trainer Annette Lorentzon has Scott Zeron in the bike behind Gobi Princess and they are listed at 7-2.

In the second split, Safe Word (Credit Winner-Fifty Shades) is coming in off a two-race win streak and has improved with each start all year. After finishing second in her first outing at Monticello Raceway, she proceeded to win at Yonkers by a head and then win again at Buffalo by almost five-lengths. She is currently tied with Amal Hall as the top point getter in the series and also leads all her divisional peers for earnings.

It’s a Batavia Downs home-coming for Jeff Gregory who trains and drives Safe Word and will leave from post one at 9-5.

The horse to watch in this race is Conway Kellyanne (Conway Hall-Pacific Centerfold) who seemed to really blossom in her second lifetime start on July 3 at Yonkers. She left, cut the mile and cruised to a very fast 1:58.1 win, which was a lifetime mark for her and the fastest of four heats at the Hilltop that night. Her connections did not race her in the third leg at Buffalo so she does come in 20 days between starts. Look for her to use her speed to get forwardly placed and take her best shot late.

Charlie Norris trains and drives Conway Kellyanne who will start from post four at 7-2.

The final leg is headlined by Amal Hall (Credit Winner-Arabella Hall) who is coming into the race red hot. She won her first NYSS start at Monticello then finished second to Conway Kellyanne in 1:58.2 at Yonkers. Her last outing at Buffalo was not only another win; it was a 1:59 lifetime mark for her and a new track record for age, gender and gait by a full second. She will be a stalking force from inside with her late brush.

Amal Hall will leave from post two at 2-1 for Team Orange Crush: Julie Miller doing the training and Andy Miller in the bike.

Winndevie (Credit Winner-Vida De Vie) comes into this event batting .1000 in the NYSS. She has two starts (at Monticello and Yonkers), two wins and has displayed two different styles of racing. She closed in :28.4 in both of her wins and dropped almost three full seconds off her win time between the two outings. She currently sits third in the point standings right behind Amal Hall and Safe Word and is poised to move forward.

Trond Smedshammer both trains and drives Winndevie who starts from post five at 5-2.

There is an upset minded filly in the race named Sensibility (Muscle Mass-Twin B Sensation). She has yet to win a NYSS event but hasn’t missed the board either, finishing second twice and third once. She has dropped a full second in three consecutive starts and has closed in :28.2 her last two trys which is faster than anyone in the race besides Amal Hall.

Sensibility is trained by George Ducharme and will be driven from post six at 4-1 by Scott Zeron.

There are also four $15,000 Excel “A” series trots on the card that go as races one, five, seven and nine and two Excel “B” series trots in races three, eight and 10.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The Batavia Downs 2018 live harness racing meet kicks off on Monday (July 23) and will host legs of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) on the first two nights of the season.

Those entering the NYSS events should note the following draw schedule:

The draw for opening night (July 23) that includes the NYSS, Excel A and Excel B divisions for 2-year-old trotting fillies will be held on Thursday (July 19). 

The draw for Wednesday (July 25) that features the NYSS, Excel A and Excel B divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies will be drawn on Friday (July 20).

The box for both draws will close at 9 a.m. on their respective draw days.

Also, please note that post time for Monday (July 23) is 6 p.m. while post time for Wednesday (July 25) is 5 p.m.

For inquiries about conditions or to call your entries in, please contact Race Secretary Joe Zambito at 585-343-3750, ext. 6304.

The complete condition sheet for the first full week of racing at Batavia Downs (that includes all NYSS events) is now 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.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

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

Simply click Live Racing>Horsemen>Stall Application and Agreement and also Stall Reservations. The complete 2018 racing schedule can also be found at Live Racing>Live Racing Schedule.

Stall applications are also available at the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association (WNYHHA) office located onsite at Buffalo Raceway.

Racing Secretary Joe Zambito stated that stall applications must be received by the track no later than Friday (July 6). The backstretch opens for tack on Monday (July 16) at 8 a.m. and horses may begin arriving on Wednesday (July 18) at 8 a.m.

The first draw will be held on Thursday (July 19) for Monday (July 23) which is the first New York Sire Stake engagement of the year at the Downs.

Starting this meet, Batavia Downs will now have a six-race paddock with the opening of the new two-race barn which was built adjacent to the existing pre-race staging area. The 16-horse wash stall barn is also incorporated on that campus.

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 72^nd season of live harness racing at America’s oldest lighted harness track features 70 race dates including seven matinee cards. The meet opens on Monday (July 23) and runs through Saturday (Dec. 15).

Live racing will be presented on Sunday afternoons at 1:15 p.m. (through July), Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday evenings at 6 p.m. There will also be racing on six Mondays during the meet including July 23 (6 p.m.) and 30 (5 p.m.), Aug. 6 (5 p.m.), Sept. 3 (1:15 p.m.) and 10 (5 p.m.) and Oct. 8 (1:15 p.m.).

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

The 2017 Batavia Downs summer-fall meet that ended on Saturday (Dec. 16) left track management feeling good after setting records for total betting and purse money paid out during the year.

The track’s export signal drew an increased handle of 15.9% over 2016 and total betting was up 8.1% (over $600,000) with 17 less races than last year. That produced $8.2 million dollars wagered on the live harness racing product, which was the most ever handled at Batavia Downs during a meet since Western Regional OTB purchased and reopened the track in 2002. 

The Downs also set a record handle in their Pick-5 wager when the pool reached $25,312 as a result of being part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program on Wednesday (Nov. 22).   

Total purses paid out including New York Sire Stakes were $6,072,800, the first time ever the track distributed in excess of $6 million in purse money.

The 2017 meet was also the first time Batavia Downs adopted a new 5 p.m. post time on Wednesdays and that seemed to contribute to the better numbers witnessed from the off-track outlets as handle was up 25 percent from the export signal midweek. It was also a big reason the track eclipsed the $8 million mark in total handle.

A quality product on the track drove those numbers along with a closely contested driver’s race that saw three reinsmen with a shot at the title all year.

When the dust had cleared, Larry Stalbaum won his first ever Batavia Downs driving title with 134 wins. Second was Ray Fisher Jr. with 124 and just one back in third was Drew Monti with 123.

On the conditioner side, Kim Asher also won her first Batavia Downs training title in a romp with 94 wins, 52 ahead of JD Perrin who was second with 42. Maria Rice was third with 40 victories.

Post one won 201 out of the 808 races run followed by post four with 135 and post three with 123.

Favorites won 45 percent of the time during the course of the meet.

“When the lights went down for the last time this year and we looked at the numbers, we were very happy with the results we saw” said Todd Haight, director/general manager of Live Racing at Batavia Downs.

“We had great action on the track with competitive, bettable races and the money wagered through the windows shows our customers felt the same way.”

Upon approval of the New York State Gaming Commission, live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Monday, July 23.

Photo of Chumlee A in the forefront with driver Larry Stalbaum.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs​

The Western New York “Wonder from Down Under” Chumlee A, proved once again that he is the best pacer currently on the grounds as he led a fast :57 back half under heavy duress on a cold night to win the final $10,000 Open Handicap pacing feature of the meet at Batavia Downs on closing night (Dec. 16).

It took Chumlee A (Larry Stalbaum) over a quarter of a mile to get the lead as Don’tcallmefrancis (Billy Davis Jr.) played hardball on the front-end. But eventually the Aussie got there after a quick :28 second split before he put on the brakes to the half to get a short breather. Not content with the slowing pace, Focus Power (Drew Monti) pulled at the half and started one heck of a fight.

Drawing alongside Chumlee A, Focus Power pushed the issue as the two matched strides in a :28.1 third panel. Also pacing together around the far turn, Chumlee A’s lead was getting shorter but he continued to look strong on the point. Halfway down the lane the overland route had gotten to Focus Power but Don’tcallmefrancis, who had gotten the perfect two-hole trip the entire mile, popped into the passing lane and made a late bid. However Chumlee A had enough in the tank and hung on by a head in 1:54.2.

It was the second straight Open victory and fourth straight win at Batavia Downs and in northern hemisphere for Chumlee A ($3.60) who has been racing in the United States for just over a month. The 6-year-old gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere is owned by Mark Jakubik and Kim Asher, who also does the training.

It was a big night for trainer Kim Asher and driver Larry Stalbaum. Besides winning the feature with Chumlee A they also teamed up to win three other races during the night including the 17th win of 2017 for Saint William A and the 21st victory of the year for Quicksilvercandy A, who now moves back into a tie with Safe From Terror as the winningest Standardbred in North America.

Then after the 10th race, Asher and Stalbaum were honored in the winner's circle as the top dash winning trainer and driver of the meet at Batavia Downs.

The staff and management of Batavia Downs would like to wish everyone a very happy Holiday Season and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Racing resumes at the oldest lighted harness track in America in July.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Closing night of the 2017 racing season at Batavia Downs features a guaranteed $2,500 early Pick-5 pool and a $1,000 Pick-6 contest, both with mandatory payouts on Saturday (Dec. 16).

The $2,500 guaranteed early Pick-5 pool begins in race one and runs through race five. The Pick-5 is a 50-cent base wager and as it’s the final one of the meet, there will be a mandatory payout. This means if no one picks all five winners, the person(s) selecting the most winners will be paid. (There is no late Pick-5 on Saturday)  

Saturday's guaranteed pool is part of the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages courtesy of Trackmaster are available on the USTA’s website.

This link will take you directly to those program pages.

Then starting in race four, the free-to-enter $1,000 Pick-6 contest is offered and it too will have a mandatory payout.

In order to win, contestants must pick the winners of races four through nine. Those wishing to play must pick up their entry blank at Player’s Club beginning at 4:30 p.m. and then deposit their completed selections no later than the start of the fourth race. There is only one entry per person. If no one correctly picks all six winners, the person(s) selecting the most winners will be paid.

Post time for the first race on closing night is 6 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Longtime western New York horseman Jim McNeight reached a career milestone as he won his 1,000 race as a trainer.

McNeight was at 999 before his pacer Open Water finished second on Wednesday (Dec. 6) and was placed first through a disqualification. But McNeight made it official on Friday (Dec. 15) when his trotter Millbrook Hanover driven by his son Jim McNeight Jr., won easily in the snow to notch his 1,000th career victory.   

McNeight got started in the business while in his teens and learned under the guidance of his father Ed McNeight Sr. He got his driver’s license in 1981 and became a go-to catch driver in western New York within a few years.

Focusing mainly on driving for the first part of his career, McNeight added training to his daily duties when he father retired in 1992 and since that time has been a mainstay at Batavia Downs and Buffalo Raceway ever since.

In June of 2016, McNeight was involved in a bad accident at Buffalo Raceway and came away with a severe back injury that sidelined him for months. After time off and extensive rehab, he has been able to resume jogging and training but his doctors will not clear him to race due to the possibility of further damage in the event of another racing incident.

So now McNeight focuses fully on the training end of his current stable of 10 and is a full time coach for his son who does all the driving now and is a rising star on the same circuit his father excelled on for so many years.

Jim McNeight’s 1,000^th training win was the result of 6,450 starts that also saw him finish second 932 times and third another 919. All told his earnings have amounted to just under $3.5 million.

“It’s very special to reach a milestone like this but you can’t do it without good, faithful owners and I have been blessed to have three of them” said McNeight. “Mike Ventura, Mike Calimeri and Dave Sanlorenzo have backed me for over 20 years and made those 1,000 wins possible.”

Mike Ventura owns Millbrook Hanover.

For his driving career McNeight has 3,587 wins and over $13 million earned in purses.

Photo of Lenny Mac and driver Ron Beback Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

It was girl’s night out in a winter wonderland as snow squalls blew through Genesee County. The mare Lenny Mac beat the boys in the $10,000 Open trot and Sportsmuffler scored in the $10,000 distaff Open pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Dec. 15).

In the week’s top trot, Lenny Mac came from off the pace to win handily, overcoming the field and the elements with the greatest of ease.

Empire Earl N (Larry Stalbaum) went right to the front and led to the half in 1:00.2. Lenny Mac (Ron Beback Jr.) then pulled first up from fifth and motored quickly alongside Empire Earl N, and then right by him by the time they hit the backside.

From there it was all Lenny Mac as she opened up four lengths at the three-quarters, six lengths at the top of the stretch and eight lengths when she hit the wire like a runaway train in 2:00.2, blowing up the tote board at 12-1.  

It was the ninth win of the year for Lenny Mac ($27.40) and it padded her bank account to the amount of $54,077 for owner William Emmons and trainer James Clouser Jr.

Photo of Sportsmuffler with driver Ray Fisher Jr.

In the fillies and mares Open pace, Sportsmuffler, who had recently gotten back to her winning ways after not finishing a race on Nov. 22, caught a strong front runner at the wire in a thriller.

Miss Irish Rose A (Larry Stalbaum) left for a familiar front-end position and led the field in post-position order for almost a half mile before Squeeze This (Billy Davis Jr.) pulled and attacked at that station in :59.2.

With Miss Irish Rose A still in command by two, the outer flow stalled and Sportsmuffler (Ray Fisher Jr.) tipped three-deep around and moved to within one length of the leader. The two maintained their positions around the far turn but when they hit the top of the lane, Sportsmuffler dug in and drove on to capture a half-length victory in 1:57.4 in a three-horse photo.

It was the eleventh win in 42 starts this year for Sportsmuffler ($7.80) who now has $59,149 on her card for 2017. LAV Racing Stable Inc. owns the 5-year-old Sportsmaster mare that is trained by Mike Carrubba.

Larry Stalbaum widened his dash win lead again scoring three victories on the night. That pushed him to 130 wins for the meet, now six ahead of Ray Fisher Jr. and 11 ahead of Drew Monti. Barring a monumental turn of events it would appear Stalbaum has his first Batavia Downs driving title just about wrapped up.

One more night of racing remains at Batavia Downs in 2017 and that is Saturday (Dec. 16) with post time is 6 p.m.

There will be a guaranteed $2,500 early Pick-5 pool tomorrow with a mandatory payout. The wager runs from race one to race five and is a 50-cent minimum bet.

Kim Asher

By Tim Bojarski, for UNY USHWA

The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) will present performance awards to the top dash winning trainer and driver of the meet during the 10^th annual “Night of Distinction” ceremony in the winner’s circle at Batavia Downs tonight (Dec. 16) and whereas the top conditioner has been well identified, the driver’s race will likely go down to the final races of the weekend.

Kim Asher is currently the top percentage trainer in North America with a UTR of .427 and $1.1 million in earnings. She is also ranked eighth in North America for wins, currently with 208.

So it’s no surprise that Asher is also the trainer of the meet at Batavia Downs for 2017.

Asher has started 351 horses during the session winning 88 races, finishing second 55 times and third another 55 times and saw her horses hit the board 56% of the time. Those efforts gave her a stellar UTR of .390 and $479,491 in purses. Her win total more than doubled her closest competitor.

Competing for only the second year at Batavia, Asher’s training career spans 19 years and during that time she has won multiple training titles including most recently, the 2017 Buffalo Raceway meet. This year Asher has sent out 208 winners and that mark was a personal best. Her stable boast horses with gaudy win totals like Quicksilvercandy A (20), Saint William A (16), Itsonlyrocknroll A (13) and Kaitlyn Rae (11).   

During her career Asher has 1,934 wins, 1,456 seconds and 1,222 thirds out of 9,196 starts for a lifetime UTR of .342 and earnings of over $15 million.

The driving accolades for this meet are still up in the air.

Larry Stalbaum is the current dash win leader with 127 wins while Ray Fisher Jr. is second with 122 and Drew Monti is third with 117. With only one card of racing left and probably 20 starts apiece remaining for all three drivers, Stalbaum looks fairly solid with a five-race lead.

If Stalbaum does win the title it would be his first at Batavia Downs. However the long-tenured horseman is no stranger to being the best set of hands on any circuit. Over his 32-year career he has won dash honors at Northville Downs, Hazel Park, Sports Creek Park, Jackson Harness Raceway, Monticello Raceway, Raceway Park, Cal Expo and most recently, Buffalo Raceway earlier this year.

During his career, Stalbaum has driven 5,732 winners and earned just under $39 million in purses.

Ray Fisher Jr. has won two driving titles at Buffalo Raceway and four at Northfield Park. But since arriving at the Genesee County oval in 2007 has never taken the top spot there although he did finish second and third three times each. So winning it this year would definitely be a notch in his belt.

Since his career began in 1987, Fisher has won 4,200 races lifetime and just shy of $18 million in purses. 

Drew Monti is the defending dash driving winner at Batavia Downs, taking his first-ever driving title last year with 116 wins. He had a substantial lead this year earlier in the meet, but the competition stiffened and now he has a lot of work to do in order to repeat.

Although the 23-year-old Monti has only been driving for five years, he is already closing in on his 1,000^th win (currently with 979) and has made $5.5 million in purses during that time.

The competition for the driving title will be decided tonight (Dec. 16). Post time is 6 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association:

Batavia, NY---The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) has announced its horses of the meet for 2017 at Batavia Downs.

Pacer of the Meet: Focus Power

While racing in the top Open class for 13 starts at Batavia, western New York newcomer Focus Power won three times and finished second another five while amassing $36,010 in purses. He was on fire in September when he won three out of four starts while setting two new lifetime marks during that period (September 2, 1:53 and September 23, 1:52.4).

After being claimed at Yonkers just prior to the start of the Batavia meet, Focus Power made an immediate impact to the good fortunes of owner James Caradori and trainer Darrin Monti. Driver Drew Monti was aboard for every start. Overall Focus Power has nine wins in 2017 and earnings that total $97,395.

Trotter of the Meet: BZ Glide

BZ Glide was a fixture in the weekly Open trot once again this year and showed although he’s getting older, he hasn’t lost a step. In 15 starts against the local best, BZ Glide won three with six seconds and a third banking $34,405 in the process. He also set a seasonal mark of 1:56.3.

As has been the case every year, the family affair of Alana Caprio training and Mike Caprio driving, the two also team up in ownership of the big trotting gelding. For the year, BZ Glide has a total of five wins and earnings of $52,405.

Mare of the Meet: Voltina

Competing the entire meet in the fillies and mares Open I or II, Voltina was as tough as they came winning three Open I’s and one Open II along with six second place finishes and took home purses totaling $34,060. She took her seasonal mark of 1:55 at Batavia as well.

Owned by CHS Racing LLC, the Tony Cummings-trained Voltina had a career year winning a total of eight races and earning $69,456 in purses. Kevin Cummings was aboard for the majority of her starts.

Claimer of the Meet: Quicksilvercandy A

Listed as the winning-est pacer in North America for a good portion of the year, Quicksilvercandy A had a field day racing at Batavia Downs. Moving up and down the class ladder, the mare ended up winning seven claiming races including the $20,000 Claiming Championship final for her division in November. Her four seconds and two thirds also helped bump up her bankroll to $40,165 for the meet.

Owned and driven by Larry Stalbaum, Quicksilvercandy A recorded a career year of 20 wins and $108,994 in earnings under the training of Kim Asher.

Most Improved Horse of the Meet: In Runaway Bay N

In Runaway Bay N came to Batavia Downs off a less than stellar early part of the year. He made his first start at Batavia in August, winning in the bottom class; non-winners of $1,000 in 1:55.1. He strung together four wins while working his way up to the Open where he finished second two weeks in a row. The following week he faced Foiled Again and finished a respectable fourth to the richest Standardbred of all time. Since then he has won three Open paces. For the meet, he took a seasonal mark of 1:53.1 and earned $39,050.

In Runaway Bay N is owned by Super Mile LLC and is trained by Angelo Nappo. Kevin Cummings was in the bike for the bulk of the work.

The connections of these horses will be presented their trophies in the winner’s circle at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 16) during the 10^th annual “Night of Distinction” awards ceremony. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.

(All photos are courstesy of Paul White.)

Photo of Rusty Freeman, courtesy of Rusty Freeman.

By Tim Bojarski, for Upstate NewYork Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association:

Anyone who has ever dealt with a quarter crack can appreciate what it takes to get their horse sound and racing again. Rusty Freeman is responsible for changing the way this debilitating condition is handled, reducing down time from weeks to days and turning the process into a state of the art form over the years.

As a result of his tireless work to help the breed, the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) will present Freeman with the Innovator’s Award for contributions to the sport of harness racing in the winner’s circle at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 16) during the 10^th annual “Night of Distinction” awards ceremony.

Freeman was working as a factory machinist in western New York in the late 1970’s when he was first introduced to harness racing. While visiting a friend who had trotters, he was shown why a particular horse was lame with a hoof crack and the whole thing quickly intrigued him.

He developed a way to use a Dremel tool and cut out just the part of the hoof he felt was needed, and then put a tube under the patch. That way air could still get to the sore area to aid healing and it could also be flushed with antiseptic to keep it clean.

He then researched and developed an acrylic compound he uses instead of fiberglass and combines that with Kevlar cloth to do the patches. The combination of the tube under the new patch material gives the area every opportunity to heal and grow out properly in a short amount of time.

Freeman has been plying his trade at harness tracks in New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania for almost 40 years now and many times works hand in hand with vets. As a result, hundreds of horses have been made sound quicker, allowing them to get back in the box much sooner.  

Also a farrier, Freeman is an accredited member of the American Association of Professional Farriers (AAPF) and helps other professionals in the field understand and benefit from his technics.

Post time for the first race on Saturday is 6 p.m.

Lucky McTrucky, driven by Drew Monti, wins at Batavia Downs.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

It was a hard fought race between two game opponents, but Lucky McTrucky came out on top of Jimi Wind Ricks in the $9,000 feature pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Dec. 9).

Lucky McTrucky (Drew Monti) inherited the lead from the pylons as no one else in the field left. Now lined up in post-position order, the leader strolled the group to the half in a very pedestrian :59 split. Eager to challenge at that point, Jimi Wind Ricks (Billy Davis Jr.) came with a rush at the three-eighths and drew alongside Lucky McTrucky up the backside and that began a very contentious encounter.

After a :27.4 third panel, Jimi Wind Ricks got the lead on the outside by over a half-length but could not clear as Lucky McTrucky stayed game and would not let him go by. They continued to fight around the far turn with both Monti and Davis rocking and knocking their respective mounts, hoping each other would give way. They hit the straight and were still going at it but Lucky McTrucky gained a slight edge and held it to the wire where he won by a half-length in 1:55.1.

It was the 42^nd lifetime win for Lucky McTrucky ($7.30) who is owned by Tessa Roland and trained by J.D. Perrin.

In the $8,500 Open III pace, Big Ricky (Ron Beback Jr.) took a mostly overland route to defeat the heavily favored David The Saint (Ray Fisher Jr.) by a length in 1:56.4. Big Ricky ($9.70) is owned by William Emmons and is trained by James Clouser Jr. 

Driver Shawn McDonough had a big night at the Downs, winning three races including the nightcap with Best Ears who blew up the tote board with an $86 mutuel.

The final week of the meet kicks-off when racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Dec. 15) with post time at 6 p.m. There are only two more nights of racing in 2017.