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Lucrative claiming championship finals at Batavia Saturday

By Billie Owens

 

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The action will be fast and furious among the local horsemen and women this weekend as there will be total purses of $176,600 distributed among the 13 races at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 11), making it the largest pool of cash to be distributed among the local racing community this year on a non-New York Sire Stake card. 

The reason for the increased purse is the seven final legs of the Claiming Championship Series that have been going on the entire meet.

Since the beginning of the season, mid-level claimers accumulated points throughout the year and those who were highest in their divisions became eligible for championship final purses. Divisions contested included $4,000, $5,000-$6,000 and $8,000-$10,000 claimers on the pace and $4,000-$5,000 and $7,500-$10,000 claimers on the trot. Points were awarded to the top-five finishers of each race and accrued all year.

On Saturday, the $4,000 and $4,000-$5,000 categories will compete for $15,000 in their respective finals and all other categories will vie for $20,000.

The first four finals are carded as races one through four which are four of the five, early Pick-5 wager races. The final three divisions go as races 10 through 13 which include the late Pick-3. There are also eight stable entries within the seven races and that will make the wagering both interesting and challenging.

"This is always a very exciting night of racing in Western New York. It's for the bread and butter of our industry; the claimers" said Joe Zambito, Race Secretary and Race Caller at Batavia Downs. "I'm not sure where you can race $4,000 to $10,000 claimers year round and have the opportunity to race for purses like ours."

Also on Saturday's card are the weekly featured paces comprised of the $10,000 Open, $9,000 Open II and $8,500 Open III. 

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

Kahoku sweeps foes in Batavia Downs Open

By Billie Owens
Photo of Kahoku with driver Kevin Cummings.
 
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs 
 
Kahoku abandoned his usual front-running style to find the winner's circle in the $10,500 Open Handicap Trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Nov. 3). 
 
Osprey Vision (Ray Fisher Jr.) and Noble Legend (Billy Davis Jr.) both left hard and battled for the lead in a two-horse breakaway. When they reached the quarter in :28.1, Osprey Vision had seated Noble Legend while the rest of the field finally caught up. Positions then remained unchanged to the half producing a tepid :30 split. 
 
As the group entered the second circuit, Empire Earl N (Larry Stalbaum) started an outer flow with Kahoku (Kevin Cummings) on his back. By the three-quarter pole Empire Earl N had enough and stalled, prompting Cummings to tip Kahoku three-wide. Kahoku took well to the move and continued to motor after clearing at the head of the lane, eventually sprinting clear by a length of the fast-closing BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) to win in 1:58.2. 
 
It was the 38th lifetime win for Kahoku ($19.80) and it pushed him over the quarter-million dollar mark in lifetime earnings with $253,015 now on his card.
 
Colleen Girdlestone owns Kahoku who is trained by Priscilla "Sis" Mooney. 
 
In the co-featured $8,000 Open II trot, Fox Valley Veto (Billy Davis Jr.) turned a perfect two-hole trip behind Lutetium (Kevin Cummings) into an easy brush to the wire win in 1:58. Fox Valley Veto ($4.40) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable and Jack Rice and is trained by Maria Rice. 
 
Larry Stalbaum led all drivers for production on Friday with four wins on the night. 

Voltina ekes out top class victory at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Voltina takes the lead with reinsman Kevin Cummings. Photo courtesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Voltina went from the agony of defeat to the thrill of victory in a short span in winning the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 1).

On a rain-soaked night over a deteriorating track, Voltina (Kevin Cummings) got away second behind Classy Lane Rose (Drew Monti) who shot to the front by the eighth pole. The abbreviated field of five then followed the leader to a pedestrian half of :59.2 before anyone made a move. Who Says That (Ray Fisher Jr.) was the one to pull and challenge past the grandstand but her attempt failed before three-quarters as Voltina upped the tempo to :28.3 and she faded out of the picture.

When the race spiraled off the turn, Classy Lane Rose pulled out and paced alongside Voltina before getting a slight advantage just before the wire. But just as soon as she gained the lead, Classy Lane Rose took a bad step and Monti had to gather her up, and that split-second adjustment allowed Voltina to retake the front right at the finish line and win by a head in 1:56.3.

The sixth win of the year for Voltina ($7.10), along with being 21 out of 39 in the money this year, has put $58,146 in the bank for owner CHS Racing LLC. Anthony Cummings trains the 7-year-old daughter of Allamerican Native.

Larry Stalbaum, Ray Fisher Jr. and Billy Davis Jr. all had driving triples on Wednesday’s card while North America’s leading percentage trainer Kim Asher sent three of her students to the winner’s enclosure.

With the night’s three wins, Stalbaum has now taken the lead in the Batavia Downs dash driving competition with 90 wins for the meet. Previous leader Drew Monti has now slipped to a second place tie with Ray Fisher Jr., both sporting 89 victories. The battle for steering supremacy will continue for 19 more nights of racing before a champion can be crowned.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on this evening (Nov. 3) with first post at 6 o'clock.

Batavia Downs offers a $2,500 guaranteed Pick-5 Wednesday

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs will offer a $2,500 guaranteed early Pick-5 pool when racing resumes this afternoon (Nov. 1) at the oldest lighted harness track in America. The actual carryover is $1,299.

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.

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

Who Says That captures distaff feature at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Photo of Who Says That with reinsman Ray Fisher Jr., coustesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Following loosely third for the entire mile, Who Says That found late pace and rallied strong to capture the $10,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (Oct. 25).

Sportsmuffler (Jim Morrill Jr.) left swiftly around Voltina (Kevin Cummings) and proceeded to take the field to the quarter in :27.2. At that point Who Says That (Ray Fisher Jr.) was a gapped-third, about five lengths from the leader. The mares stayed in single file to the half when Hey Kobe (Denny Bucceri) came first up and tried to approach the front-runner. As the pack went by three-quarters in 1:26.1, the outer flow bid failed allowing Voltina to pop the pocket from second and circle Sportsmuffler around the last turn. At the head of the stretch Voltina cleared and looked like she was a winner. But Who Says That had stayed close behind Voltina and had plenty of pace left coming home to win by a length in 1:54.4.

It was the fourth win in the last eight starts and the sixth win of the year for Who Says That ($6.20) who now has earned $43,981 for owners Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Chris Shambo and Jack Rice. The 6-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover is trained by Maria Rice.

In the $8,000 Fillies and Mares Open II Sarah Cola (Billy Davis Jr.) went wire to wire in 1:55.3, outdueling the winningest standardbred in North America this year, Quicksilvercandy A (Larry Stalbaum) down the lane for a neck victory. Sarah Cola ($6) is owned by Giuseppe Micchia and Jim Graham, who also does the training.

Kevin Cummings led all drivers with four wins on the night while Billy Davis Jr. was right behind him with three tallies.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Oct. 27) with post time set for 6 o'clock.

Rock Fame stays red hot in Batavia Downs feature win

By Billie Owens

Photo of Rock Fame with driver Ron Beback Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

In what may have been the most entertaining race of the year, Rock Fame moved up in class after a lifetime best effort last week and turned a perfect trip into a late rally to win the $10,500 Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday evening (Oct. 21).

In Runaway Bay (Kevin Cummings) out-dueled Rock Fame (Ron Beback Jr.) to the quarter in :26.4 before being immediately harassed by Fireyourguns (Mike Caprio) who tried to overtake him just past that station. Despite his best effort, Fireyourguns could not clear and was then parked to the three-quarter pole. That was when Show Stopping (Billy Davis Jr.), Teo Enteo A (Larry Stalbaum) and Focus Power (Drew Monti) tipped to attack and fanned four-wide against the still-leading In Runaway Bay. But it was Rock Fame, who sat the perfect two-hole trip behind all the action, that found the passing lane and out-sprinted everyone to the wire to win by a length in 1:53.2.

It was the fifth win in the last seven starts and the eighth win of the year for Rock Fame ($10.20) who now boasts $40,773 on his card for 2017. Rock Fame has been owned by William Emmons since he claimed him for $12,500 at Batavia Downs on August 27 and became the best resident pacer on the grounds for this week under the training of James Clouser Jr.

In the co-featured $9,000 Open II pace, Miss Irish Rose A (Larry Stalbaum) took on a full-field of male opponents and went coast to coast to capture a narrow victory over Chickenwithabanjo (Jim Morrill Jr.) in 1:53.4, which was a new lifetime mark for the winner. Miss Irish Rose A ($2.40) now has three wins in four North American starts for owner/trainer/driver Larry Stalbaum.

Drew Monti led all drivers with four wins on the card followed by Ron Beback Jr. and Larry Stalbaum with three each.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon at 5.

BZ Glide dominates in Batavia Downs feature

By Billie Owens

Photo of BZ Glide with reinsman Mike Caprio.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Getting a favorable draw after having post seven last week, BZ Glide looked like his old self as he handily won the $10,500 Open Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 20).

Leaving from post four, driver Mike Caprio hustled BZ Glide to the front and proceeded from there comfortably in :28.1 and :58.4. At the second station Northern Matador (Jim Morrill Jr.) pulled first up and tried to pressure the leader for the next quarter mile. When that challenge failed, Noble Legend (Ray Fisher Jr.) tipped three-wide around him and tried to get to BZ Glide through the last turn. But with little more than a backward glance to keep an eye on the competition, Caprio sat chilly in rhythm with his horse and BZ Glide trotted away down the lane to an easy two-length victory in 1:58.

It was the second win in the last three starts and fifth of the year for BZ Glide ($7.00) who is owned by the Caprio Stable LLC and trained by Alana Caprio.

In the co-feature $8,000 Open II trot, Osprey Vision (Ray Fisher Jr.) got the parking ticket to the quarter before clearing and eventually opening up a three-length margin of victory in 1:57.1. With his ninth win of the year and $60,954 in earnings, Osprey Vision ($7.20) is having a career year for owner Marissa Russo and trainer David Russo.

Billy Davis Jr. and Ray Fisher Jr. led all drivers with three wins apiece on the night.

Exotic Beach wins easily in Batavia Downs feature

By Billie Owens

Photo of Exotic Beach with driver Larry Stalbaum, courtesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Without even a moment of doubt in the mile, Exotic Beach overpowered her five rivals to jog home with authority in the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 18).

Exotic Beach (Larry Stalbaum) tucked in third off the gate while Squeeze This (Billy Davis Jr.) settled on the lead. But that was just a ruse by Stalbaum as he pulled Exotic Beach halfway up the backstretch and gunned her to the front in :27 flat. After clearing, Stalbaum grabbed some leather just to let the five trailers think they were in the race. But it became obvious that wasn’t the case once they hit the second stanza.

Exotic Beach opened up a gapped three-length lead and that was as close as the rest would get for the rest of the race. She cruised to three-quarters in 1:24, rounded the turn in full stride and paced away down the stretch to win by four in 1:53.3.

The time was a new seasonal mark for Exotic Beach and only three-fifths of a second off the track record for aged pacing mares.

It was the sixth win of the year for Exotic Beach ($4.30) who has now earned $52,266 for owner Larry Stalbaum, who also does the training.

Owner/trainer/driver Stalbaum similarly won the co-featured $8,000 Fillies and Mares Open II pace when he went from last at the half to three-deep at three-quarters to a half-length victor in 1:55, which was a new seasonal mark for the winner. Kaitlyn Rae ($5.80) won her ninth race in 18 starts this year giving her $36,594 in the bank account.

The top three dash drivers of the meet had a very business night on Wednesday. Larry Stalbaum had four winners, Ray fisher Jr. three and Drew Monti two. As a result there has been movement at the top of the leader board. Larry Stalbaum who was behind in double digits only a week ago is now in a first place tie with former leader Drew Monti with 79 wins apiece. Ray Fisher Jr. is a close third with 75. With nine weeks left in the meet, this is going to be a tight three-way competition for the rest of the year.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 20) with post time at 6 p.m.

In Runaway Bay an upset winner in Batavia Downs Open

By Billie Owens

Photo of Runaway Bay with driver Kevin Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Racing against Foiled Again last week must have had a positive effect on In Runaway Bay as he put a circle around the best local pacers in the $10,000 Open Handicap Pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 14).

In Runaway Bay (Kevin Cummings) fired off the gate and crossed over like a flash of light. Cruising unchallenged from there until the half, the leader saw fit to cut a rather casual :57.3 fraction. At that point In Runaway Bay was confronted first by Santana Beach (John Cummings Jr.) until three-quarters and then by Fireyourguns (Mike Caprio) when that one faded. Try as he might Fireyourguns couldn’t get closer than a length from the time he pulled and when the race hit the stretch, In Runaway Bay ran away to a three-length victory in 1:53.1, which was a new seasonal mark for the winner.

It was the fifth win of the year for In Runaway Bay ($26.60), all five of which were scored at Batavia Downs. Owner Super Mile LLC has received $30,010 in purses as a result of the 7-year-old Mach Three offspring’s efforts this year which were achieved through the training of Angelo Nappo.

In the $9,000 Open II co-feature, Show Stopping (Kevin Cummings) sat a tight two-hole trip behind the heavily favored Miss Irish Rose A (Larry Stalbaum) before popping the pocket off the last turn and out-pacing the leader to the wire to win in 1:52.1, which was a new lifetime mark. Show Stopping ($7.20) is owned by Resilient Racing Stable and trained by Rose Russo.

Kevin Cummings led all drivers with four wins on the night and James Clouser Jr. led all trainers with three.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 18) with post time at 5 p.m.

Kahoku goes coast to coast at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens
Photo of Kahoku with driver Kevin Cummings in the command spot.
 
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
 
With little challenge at the start of the mile, Kahoku set pedestrian early fractions and hung on late to win the $10,500 Open Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 13). 
 
The car released the field and surprisingly nobody left; giving the pylon-sitting Kahoku (Kevin Cummings) the command spot by default. Feeling right at home in that position, Kahoku slowed the fractions considerably with a :30.1 second panel and :59.3 half. Fleet Bumblebee (Drew Monti) was outside on the move at that point and came within a length of the leader by the five-eighths pole. 
 
Pushing the issue from there, the pace quickened to :28.2 for the third quarter but that took a toll on Fleet Bumblebee, who faded as they came off the turn. However a fresh Northern Matador (Ray Fisher Jr.) who had been sitting second the whole mile found the passing lane and incrementally gained ground down the stretch on that path. Sensing the challenge, Cummings urging Kahoku to dig in and he did his best to comply, hanging on to win by a nose in 1:58. 
 
It was the 4th win of 2017 for Kahoku ($10.60) and it raised his earnings to $37,448 for owner Colleen Girdlestone and trainer Kirk Desmond. 
 
In the $8,000 Open II trot, Winky's Pride (Billy Davis Jr.) was also a wire to wire winner, touring the facility unencumbered in 1:58.3. Winky's Pride ($7.80) is owned and trained by Robert Hummel. 
 
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs today (Oct. 14) with post time at 6 p.m.

John Mungillo scores 1,000th training win at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Photo, from left: Larry Willer, John Mungillo and Jennifer Papiernik

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Western New York veteran trainer John Mungillo reached a major milestone at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 11) and he did it in a very convincing manner. Mungillo sent out his 3-year-old pacing filly Roll With Faith that he co-owns with Lawrence Willer and Finish Line Investors and watched her go wire to wire at 1-9 over a very sloppy race track in 1:57.3 to notch the 1,000th training victory of his career.

The grand achievement didn’t happen overnight, it was a culmination of a lifetime’s labor.

Mungillo started working as a groom for Pete Mondi at Batavia Downs in 1981 and eventually became second trainer for Don Rothfuss where he earned his driver’s license and started teaming regularly. When Mungillo went on his own in 1986 his objective was to have horses from his barn win, regardless of who did the driving and didn’t let ego stand in the way of success.

Although he did drive regularly from 1987-1989, he focused more on training his stock from that point on and really started accumulating wins as his stable grew.

Mungillo’s career best training year was in 2013 when he scored 155 wins with a .309 UTR and earnings of $683,812 as a result. For his entire training career Mungillo has 6,099 starts with 1,000 wins 860 seconds and 791 thirds with $4,466,409 in purses. That’s 43 percent in the money lifetime and that’s not too shabby.

Currently at the Downs Mungillo is racing 10 horses regularly and ranks eighth among all trainers with 13 wins, eight seconds and 14 thirds off 84 starts and has banked $66,782 in purses so far. For the entire year he has 32 wins and $202,945 in purses.

Squeeze This breaks the bank in Batavia Downs feature

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The feature race at Batavia Downs on Wednesday was the $10,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace and Squeeze This paid big dividends after being overlooked by the betting public and tripping-out to a narrow margin of victory.

Classy Lane Rose (Drew Monti) went right to the front and seated all the girls behind her around the first turn. Exotic Beach (Larry Stalbaum) who had gotten away last, became restless at the eighth pole and pulled to start a slow, methodic march to the front. With Classy Lane Rose comfortable on the lead, it took Exotic Beach another half mile outside before she reached the pacesetter at the three-eighths pole to get within striking range.

Aware of the challenge at hand, Monti stepped up the third quarter with his mare but the pesky Exotic Beach would not relent. The two then argued around the last turn before Classy Lane Rose showed some fatigue at the head of the stretch. It was there the pocket-sitting Squeeze This (Billy Davis Jr.) snuck into the passing lane and zoomed by both of them to win by a nose in 1:57.2.

It was the fifth win of the year for Squeeze This ($37.80) who now has $41,591 in the bank. Garth Bechtel owns the 5-year-old Allamerican Native offspring that is trained by Jim Graham.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 13) with post time at 6 p.m.

Foiled Again, DW’s NY Yank win at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Foiled Again with driver Kevin Cummings. Photo by Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The Nation’s leading trainer Ron Burke shipped two of his millionaires into Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 7) and won the two biggest overnight races of the season at the oldest lighted harness track in America with Foiled Again and DW’S NY Yank. Burke, The Burke Brigade and driver Kevin Cummings had a very good night. 

The pacing feature was the $15,000 George “Duke” Dranichak Memorial named for a longtime local horseman and racing official whose career spanned over five decades.

Focus Power (Drew Monti) went for the front but outpaced the turn, making a break. This left In Runaway Bay (Ray Fisher Jr.) calling the shots with five behind him in :27.3. Right at the quarter Fireyourguns (Mike Caprio) pulled and sidled the leader around the turn and past the half in :55.1, but Fireyourguns couldn’t clear and remained parked into the second circuit. With the outer flow stagnant, Teo Enteo A (Larry Stalbaum) tipped three-wide at the three-eighths and brought Don’tcallmefrancis (Billy Davis Jr.) into the fray with him. This left Foiled Again (Kevin Cummings) hopelessly locked in at the rail fourth behind a wall of horses.

Just before the three-quarters In Runaway Bay stopped, Fireyourguns finally cleared and Cummings was somehow able to maneuver Foiled Again out of the box and moved him into third behind Teo Enteo A. Halfway through the final bend, Cummings tipped the richest Standardbred of all time three-deep and had him in full gear. Foiled Again proceeded to barrel down the stretch and show his class once again, pacing by everyone under mild urging to win in 1:52.2.

It was the 96th lifetime win for Foiled Again ($4.60) and his fourth victory at Batavia Downs where he won the Kane Memorial Pace in 2009, 2013 and 2016. The richest Standardbred of all time got even richer and now has an unbelievable $7,543,278 in lifetime earnings.

Foiled Again is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and JJK Stables LLC.

The top trot was the $15,000 Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot named in honor of the local trainer/driver who developed many great trotters and excelled on the Grand Circuit.  

The heavily favored DW’s NY Yank left from post six and went right to the front. As the field settled behind him there were no serious challenges as they tripped the timers in :28, :57.1 and 1:27.1. But when they spun off the far turn the leader’s biggest test was yet to come.

Fleet Bumblebee (Drew Monti) had been sitting in the garden spot the whole race and when they straightened out, he hit the passing lane. With DW’s NY Yank suddenly looking vulnerable, Monti went to work on Fleet Bumblebee inside of Cummings who was already high-lining the leader. The two drivers were highly animated all the way down the lane with Fleet Bumblebee gaining with every stride. But as they hit the wire DW’s NY Yank hung on to win by a nose in 1:57 in a very exciting finish.

It was the third win in a row for DW’S NY Yank ($2.40) and sixth win of the year and that effort boosted his bankroll to $140,750 for 2017. His career numbers got even more impressive, now with 46 wins and $1,156,335 in purses to his credit.

The 8-year-old altered son of Dilbert Hanover is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

Miss Irish Rose A dominates; Stalbaum wins eight at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Photo of Miss Irish Rose A with driver Larry Stalbaum, courtesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The wind and rain blew into Genesee County prior to post time on Wednesday (Oct. 4) but the sun did come out for the first race. That combination may have helped Miss Irish Rose A bloom for a second straight week as she easily won the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Batavia Downs in impressive style.

Larry Stalbaum fired Miss Irish Rose A hard off the gate and crossed over to the pylons before anyone knew what happened. They may as well have put the finish line there because at that point, the race was over. Leading the rest of the way with a gapped advantage, Miss Irish Rose A cut the corners in :28, :57.1 and 1:25.4 where she opened up a six-length advantage. Stalbaum shut her down at the top of the lane but Miss Irish Rose A still paced home in :28.2 to win by over a length in 1:54.1.

It was the second consecutive win for Miss Irish Rose A ($3.20), her second win in North America and her second successive lifetime mark. Larry Stalbaum owns the 5-year-old McCardle progeny who is trained by Kim Asher.

In the $8,000 F&M Open II co-feature the Asher/Stalbaum playbook was still opened to the same page as Exotic Beach took a quick lead and toured the facility in front from there, winning by a length in 1:56 over an even muddier track. Exotic Beach ($5.70) scored her fifth win of the year for the Man from Matamoris, who owns this one as well.

Larry Stalbaum (Photo provided by Batavia Downs.)

It was quite a big night for the Larry Stalbaum/Kim Asher combination as they teamed up for seven wins on the card.  Besides Miss Irish Rose A and Exotic Beach, they also scored with Kaitlyn Rae (1:56.4, $6.70), Rockin Kasbah (1:57, $6.70), Quicksilvercandy A (1:56.4, $7.20), Cartoonist (1:56, $5.80) and Saint William A (1:57.4, $2.50).

The eighth win by Stalbaum was with Hitontheflipside (2:01, $19.00) who is trained by Jim Graham.

Stalbaum had 10 drives on the card with eight wins and one third and that gave him an unbelievable .833 UDR for the evening. 

The wielding of wins on Wednesday by Stalbaum vaulted him into second place among drivers for dash wins for the meet. Currently Drew Monti is on top with 68 wins, Stalbaum is now is second with 60 and Ray Fisher Jr. has dropped into third.

As far as Asher is concerned, she is now firmly in the lead for wins by a trainer this session with 40. That is seven more than JD Perrin who currently sits in second place as a result of the stellar night by the Asher entourage.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Oct. 6) with post time at 6 o'clock.

Osprey Vision upsets in Batavia Downs trot

By Billie Owens

Osprey Vision with reinsman Drew Monti, second from outside and pulling ahead.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The old wagering adage suggesting you bet the longest shot in the shortest field was right on point in the $10,000 Open Handicap Trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 29) as Osprey Vision scored big after being overlooked at 10-1 in the five-horse field.

With the late scratch of Lutetium, Noble Legend (Jim Morrill Jr.) decided to be the leader to follow this week and took that position shortly after the start. With a sloppy track and no early opposition, Morrill took the field down to the half in :58.1 and looked comfortable in doing so.

As the group was into the second circuit, Egosnattitudes (Larry Stalbaum) was motoring up on the outside with Osprey Vision (Drew Monti) second over. But halfway up the backstretch Egosnattitudes copped one and made a break, leaving Osprey Vision advancing alone towards the leader around the final turn. By the time the race hit the head of the lane Osprey Vision looked Noble Legend in the eye before trotting right by. Osprey Vision then maintained the lead while holding off the late charging Barn Winner (Ray Fisher Jr.) and BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) to win in 1:59.2.

Osprey Vision ($23.80) now has eight wins and $55,814 earned this year for owner Marissa Russo and trainer David Russo.

In the $8,000 Open II trot Empire Earl N (Larry Stalbaum) broke a six-week drought, coming from way off the pace at the half following dull outside cover before tipping three-deep off the last turn to close down the lane and win by a neck in 1:59.4.

Empire Earl N ($12) registered his sixth win of the year and bumped his bank to $55,590 for his owner who drives him, Larry Stalbaum. The New Zealand bred son of Earl is trained by Kim Asher.

Ray Fisher Jr. had a driving triple on Friday. Drivers scoring two wins included Drew Monti and Larry Stalbaum. Trainers getting two wins included Kim Asher, David Russo and Angelo Nappo.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Sept. 30) at 6 p.m.

Miss Irish Rose A makes winning debut at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Photo of Miss Irish Rose A with reinsman Larry Stalbaum.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Aussie invader Miss Irish Rose A, who was privately purchased from down-under on Aug. 23 by Larry Stalbaum, made her North American debut a winning one by taking the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 27) as heavy downpours moved through the area.

From the start, Machin Marley (Kevin Cummings) and Squeeze This (Jim Morrill Jr.) argued vehemently for the lead over the rain-soaked track and pushed the quarter to :28 flat. Machin Marley settled on the front around the second bend and proceeded to take the race to the half in :58. At that station the race became a two-tiered event with Who Says That (Ray Fisher Jr.), Classy Lane Rose (Drew Monti) and Miss Irish Rose A (Larry Stalbaum) advancing in the outer flow.

With three-in and three-out, there was a lot of action up the backside as Who Says That took the lead from Machin Marley for an eighth of a mile before Classy Lane Rose wrestled it from her at the three-quarter pole in 1:25.4. But Miss Irish Rose A was still on the attack and drew alongside the latest leader around the final turn, and then getting a slight advantage at the head of the stretch. It was Rose v. Rose as they headed for the finish; Classy Lane inside and Miss Irish outside. But despite a good fight, Miss Irish Rose A pulled away from her formidable foe about ten yards from the wire and won by a length in 1:54.2.

The 10th lifetime win for Miss Irish Rose A ($3) was not only her first in the northern hemisphere; it was also a lifetime mark for the 5-year-old daughter of McArdle. Kim Asher trains the winner.

In the $8,000 Mares Open II pace, Voltina (Kevin Cummings) abandoned her normal front-running posture in lieu of a two-hole trip to victory behind Mean Pauline (Shawn McDonough) courtesy of the passing lane in 1:56.1.

Voltina ($7.10) is owned by CHS Racing LLC and is trained by Tony Cummings.

Kevin Cummings had the driving hat-trick on Wednesday while Drew Monti, Larry Stalbaum and Ray Fisher Jr. each each had two wins apiece. Trainer Kim Asher also sent two from her stable to the winner’s enclosure.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Friday, Sept. 29) with post time at 6 o'clock.

Focus Power in career best at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens
Focus Power out front with driver Drew Monti.
 
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
 
Focus Power left no doubt who the top pacer on the grounds was this week as he tripped out to a two-length victory in the $10,000 Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday evening (Sept. 23).
 
The Downs leading driver Drew Monti sent Focus Power off the gate and took a short-lived lead until he relinquished that spot to Fireyourguns (Mike Caprio) who rushed up and grabbed it by the quarter in :26.2. Fireyourguns then set stout fractions of :55.3 and 1:24.1 while Focus Power drafted in the garden spot. 
 
With little challenge coming from the rest of the field to that point, the top two horses rounded the final turn in line before Monti popped Focus Power out of the pocket and let him do the rest. Focus Power's legs were a blur as he paced into overdrive and flew by Fireyourguns and away from the rest of the group to win in 1:52.4, which was a new lifetime mark. 
 
It was the third win in the last four starts for Focus Power ($6.40), two of which were Open-I paces at Batavia Downs and has earned $81,470 so far this year. The 5-year-old altered son of Shadow Play is owned by James Caradori and trained by Darrin Monti. 
 
In the $9,000 Open II pace, Santana Beach (John Cummings Jr.) went gate to wire in commanding style, winning by eight lengths in 1:53, which was a new seasonal mark. 
 
Santana Beach ($13.80) is owned by Jason Newell and is trained by Richard Roth.
 
Funny Photo with jockey Sophie Engerran.
 
RUS New York had an exhibition non-betting event after the seventh race and the finish was as exciting as last year's race. 
 
Funny Photo (Sophie Engerran) led the entire race cutting fractions of :30.4, 1:02.3 and 1:33.3. But just when it looked like he was home free, One True Friend (Hillary Harnett) came flying from behind and mounted a serious challenge at the top of the lane. But although One True Friend made up almost seven lengths, Funny Photo still hung on and won in 2:04.3, which was a seasonal mark for the winner. 
 
Funny Photo is owned by his rider, Sophie Engerran and is trained by Kimberly Gilman-Daios. 
 
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednsday (Sept. 27) with post time at 5 p.m.

Noble Legend on point in Batavia Downs feature

By Billie Owens

Noble Legend with driver Ray Fisher Jr. 

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Noble Legend looked very sharp on the front end while defeating six top-end trotters as well as an inquiry at the wire to win the $10,500 Open Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 22).

Noble Legend (Ray Fisher Jr.) left strong off the gate and established a loose two-length advantage on the front end. After passing the quarter in :28.3 the post time favorite Egosnattitudes (Larry Stalbaum) pulled from last and flushed Striker Ace (Kevin Cummings) after they tripped the timer at :58.3 for the half.

Moving up the backside Noble Legend was still strong on the lead as Striker Ace bowed out of the competition. As a result Egosnattitudes tipped three-wide at the three-quarters and advanced to second by the top of the lane. Stalbaum started urging his trotter as he drew closer to the leader, but before he could gain the advantage Egosnattitudes broke wildly halfway down the stretch and galloped across the wire a neck ahead of Noble Legend.

As a result of the obvious lapped-on break, Egosnattitudes was disqualified by the judges and placed last while 
Noble Legend was named the official winner, timed in 1:57.1.

It was the seventh win of the year for Noble Legend ($7) who has now earned $61,370 in 2017 for owners Vogel & Wags Nags Stable and Jack Rice. Maria Rice trains the winner.

In the $8,000 Open II trot, Barn winner (Ray Fisher Jr.) was third at the half, gapped seven-lengths and chasing a runaway Lutetium (John Cummings Jr.) who took the field to a 1:25.3 third quarter, before pulling in the far turn and trotting right by the fading leader to win in 1:56, which was a new lifetime mark for the winner.

Barn Winner ($20.20) now boasts nine wins on the year and $35,310 in the bank. The 3-year-old gelded son of Credit Winner was purchased privately on Aug. 29 by his current owners Tanah Merah Farms LLC and the Swift Racing Stable and is trained by Ryan Swift.

Kevin Cummings had a big night, winning four races on the card. He got across with Pilgrims All In ($5, 1:57.4), Shawnee Magic ($8.90), 1:58.1), Ona Dream ($6.40, 1:59.3) and Kings Treasure ($5, 1:55.3).

Ray Fisher Jr. had a driving triple himself while trainers David Russo, Rose Russo, JD Perrin and Angelo Nappo all had two stable members cross the wire first.

Racing Under Saddle featured at Batavia Downs Saturday

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The horses and riders of RUS New York will be at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 23) to compete for a $1,600 purse in a non-betting race that will take place after race seven on the regular live pari-mutuel card.

Racing Under Saddle (RUS), also known as Monte Racing, is a cross between harness racing and thoroughbred racing. The rider is atop the Standardbred (generally a trotter) in a saddle instead of behind it in a sulky. Internationally, Standardbred RUS is conducted daily at many European tracks and it garners large wagering pools on their regular betting programs.

The Fair Series is organized by RUS New York, an organization that helps coordinate and promote under saddle races across the Empire state. The main goal is to promote this unique sport, educate the public about the versatility of the Standardbred breed and to help Standardbreds find great homes after they finish their days on the track.

The 2017 RUS New York summer schedule included 10 fair dates as well as races at Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs and Saratoga Raceway. Batavia Downs is the fourth pari-mutuel track to host the series this year.

RUS racing debuted at the Downs in 2016 with one of the most exciting finishes the series had all year as Admirable Hanover out-dueled My Friend Charlie down the lane to win by a neck in 2:03.4. The time was a new career best under saddle time for Admirable Hanover and it also produced a new track record at Batavia Downs.

Saturday’s race includes the top point-earners in the series for both human and equine categories.

Michelle Miller is the leading rider with 258 points and she will be on the number one points horse, Railroad Lane. 

Railroad Lane has three wins in seven outings and is six out of seven in the money for the year. He has a mark of 2:09.3 at Monticello Raceway over a sloppy track, but was race-timed in 2:05 at Tioga Downs in a third place finish in July.

Last year’s winning rider at Batavia was Vanessa Karlewicz and she is currently the second leading point-getter in the series with 187 and she will be atop Boy Can She Fly who is sixth among all horses. 

Boy Can She Fly has only one win in five starts and a mark of 2:15 at the Bath Fairgrounds. But she was race-timed in 2:05.3 at Vernon Downs in a third place finish back on August 25.

Hillary Harnett who sits fourth in points will ride probably the hottest horse in the race as One True Friend has been competing outside of New York against some of the best RUS horses in competition. 

One True Friend has three wins in eight starts with a seasonal mark of 2:03.3 at Tioga Downs and has also been race timed at the Meadowlands in 2:01.2. Just last week One True Friend won by almost nine-lengths at Saratoga Raceway in 2:04.3.

Rounding out the field is Sophie Engerran and Funny Photo. Funny Photo qualified in 2:04 handily at Vernon Downs on Friday (Aug. 18) but has only one start this year. That was at the Meadowlands earlier this month where he finished fifth, placed fourth after being interfered with. He is the unknown value in this race as he did win under saddle at Vernon Downs in 1:59.1 in 2016 and 1:59 in 2015.

Post time for the RUS New York race will be approximately 8:10 p.m. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.

Batavia Downs to host the C. K. G. Billings amateurs on Friday

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The 36th season of C. K. G. Billings amateur racing rolls into Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 22) with two divisions (one trot and one pace) going for $5,000 each. Batavia is the 42nd stop of the combined 2017 season for the Billings, which has only 17 more to go before they convene for the finals at Yonkers Raceway on Sunday (Nov. 26) and vie for the Delvin Miller Gold and Silver Cup championships and $40,000 in purses.

The series that began in the early 1980’s is conducted by the Delvin Miller Harness Drivers Association and is considered the Grand Circuit of Amateur Racing. And as a result of their charitable efforts, tens of thousands of dollars are raised each year through amateur driving for the benefit of each club's charity. The C.K.G. Billings contributes its driver’s percentage to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Goshen, NY.

Participating drivers support these charities by directing their 5 percent driver’s commissions for all Billings Races to either the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame or to the Delvin Miller Harness Drivers Association for further contribution to the Harness Racing Museum or to a local charity.

Drivers who will be appearing at the downs to compete on Friday include Joe Faraldo, Joe Lee and Bob Davis who will all drive in both events, along with Don Hoover, Robert Ciavardini, David Glasser, Anthony Ciuffetelli, Anthony Verruso, David Drew and Matt Zuccarello who will all have one drive apiece.

The two events are carded as race one and four and post time for the first race in at 6 p.m.

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