harness racing

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- The 7th annual $40,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial pace headlines a terrific card of racing on Saturday night, but for some racing fans the night could be bittersweet.
 
Rockysbreezybuddy, a standout on the local circuit for much of the decade and the 2003 Kane Memorial winner, is being retired.
 
The horse they simply call "Rocky" will see his career officially end with a special winner's circle ceremony after the 6th race. He will then lead the post parade for this year’s Kane Memorial.
 
Owned by William Brown and trained by Peter Arrigenna, the 11-year-old In the Pocket gelding earned $230,181 in his career. In 258 lifetime starts, he had 53 wins, 32 seconds and 43 thirds, and took his lifetime mark at Vernon Downs of 1:52.2 in 2003.
 
“Rocky let us know when he was ready. After his last start at Batavia he came off sore in the left front," Arrigenna said. "He's been too good of a horse to try to race him in cheap claimers. I called Billy and told him it was time to retire him."
 
Rocky broke his maiden at Rosecroft Raceway with Betsy Brown (sister of Bill) driving in October of 2000. His last victory, with Troy Boring in the sulky, was in February of this year, at Buffalo Raceway.
 
“Rocky was a perfect horse to be around, you never had to worry about him hurting anybody,” Arrigenna said.
 
His daughter, Mandy, referred to Rocky as "her Saturday night date at the track.”
 
Rocky was owned by both Bill and Betsy Brown. Betsy trained him at Rosecroft until he came to the Western New York circuit at age 4.
 
"He was so use to a 5/8th track that when he left the gate at Buffalo, he had the 7 hole, he didn't know how to make the first turn," Arrigenna said. "I thought he was heading out the outside fence.”
 
“He had talent and the rest is history. I never thought when we got him he would have made over $200,000, the hard way in overnights and most of it before slots. He won Opens at Batavia, Buffalo, Vernon and Monticello for us, and of course the Kane."
 
“He was a pleasure to have in our Opens,” Racing Secretary and Track Announcer Joe Zambito said. “You always count on him to put on a good show and from an announcer stand point he was fun to call because he was a fan favorite. He would be charging home every week.”
 
On Saturday he'll merely be jogging when he leaves the Batavia Downs oval one last time, taking with him a lifetime of memories for so many.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Press release:
 
Batavia, NY --- Ron Viola, Dave Venniro and Jim Graham’s Allamerican Improv parlayed a perfect trip into his first ever Open Handicap win on Saturday night (Oct.3) at Batavia Downs Casino.
 
In rein to Ray Fisher, Jr., the talented 3-year-old Artiscape colt sat in behind the front running Arm And A Leg (Kevin Cummings) the entire trip, angled out at the top of the stretch and got up in the final few strides to notch his third win of the season in 1:55.1. Scotts Royce Rolls (Jimmy Whisman), a victim of stalled cover for the second week in a row, wound up third.
 
Allamerican Improv, a stakes winning freshman, raised his 2009 earnings to more than $35,000. He’s earned more than $160,000 lifetime. Jim Graham is the conditioner.
 
Racing Fans are reminded that next Saturday night figures to be one of biggest nights of the season with the $40,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace, the $10,000 Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot and the retirement ceremony of popular local pacer Rockysbreezybuddy.
 
The Summer/Fall meet continues through December 5 with racing every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night. Post time is 7:05.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- A sloppy racetrack couldn’t rain on the parade of Robin of Locksley from winning his first $8,000 Open Handicap pace of the Summer-fall meet, Saturday night (Sept-26) at Batavia Downs Casino.

Using his good early gate speed, reinsman Ron Beback Jr., put Robin of Locksley on the lead and they went wire to wire to win by a head in 1:58.2.

Turning for home “Robin” appeared to be in hot water as a first over Scotts Rolls Royce (Jimmy Whisman) was up to challenge and the favorite, Arm and a Leg (Kevin Cummings), was gearing up three-wide on the far outside but they were all in futile chase as “Robin “ was able to dig in and hold on. Arm and a Leg wound up second and “Scott” finished third.

Robin of Locksley won for the 6th time this season for owner Pete Spaeth and trainer Bob Gruber III. The 7-year-old son of JK Outlaw raised his lifetime earnings to over $185,000.

Bob Gruber also conditions Escape Pass, who was victorious in the co-featured $7,000 Open II pace.   

Leading driver Kevin Cummings continued with his hot hand guiding home five more winners, he had 4 on Friday night. D J Millner scored a four-bagger on the training side.

Batavia Downs Casino is currently racing Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday nights, post time is 7:05 p.m.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Photo: Robin of Locksley with Ron Beback Jr. holding on over Arm and a Leg and Kevin Cummings to win the featured $8,000 Open Handicap, Saturday night at Batavia Downs Casino.
 

Press Release:

BATAVIA, NY --- For the second week in a row A Work In Progress was victorious in the weekly trotting feature, Friday night (Sept-25) at Batavia Downs Casino.

Just like last week, Ken “Doc” Holliday put A Work In Progress on the lead and they put up all the numbers en route to a 1-1/4 length score, in 1:59.3.
The improving Manfromnantucket (Jack Flanigen) closed down the center to be second, while Jack Sparrow (Jim McNeight) rallied from last to be third.

A Work In Progress, a 5-year-old, altered son of SJ’s Caviar is owned Betty Tauber of New Brunswick, N.J. and trained by Sherri Holliday. The winner’s share of the $8,000 purse raised his season’s earnings to more than $39,000. He paid $4.30 to win.

Leading dashwinning driver Kevin Cummings extended his lead by driving four winners on the Friday program. Former Downs regular Sam Schillaci and Ken Holliday had driving doubles.

America’s oldest lighted harness track is currently racing on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Post time is 7:05 p.m., eastern.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Photo: A Work In Progress with Ken Holliday winning the $8,000 Open Handicap Trot, Friday Night at Batavia Downs. Courtesy of Paul White.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- The pocket rocket, Outlaws Ransome, was up in time to win the featured $8,000 Open Handicap, Saturday night (Sept-19) at Batavia Downs Casino.

Recently claimed for $10,000 by Richey Edward Myers of Phoenix Arizona, Outlaws Ransome continues to pay back high dividends as he’s moved all the way up to the handicap ranks. Tom Agosti was in the sulky for trainer Alex Giuliani.

Getting away second behind the front running Robin of Locksley (Ron Beback Jr.), Outlaws Ransome simply bided his time in the 2-hole until the field of six turned for home. Down the lane Agosti guided Outlaws Ransome to the passing lane and they were able to reel in “Robin” by a head in 1:55.3. Arson Ant (Troy Boring) who finished fourth was placed third.

Outlaws Ransome ($9.70) notched his 8th win of the season and raised his 2009 earnings to over $33,000.

Batavia Downs Casino is currently racing Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday nights, post time is 7:05 p.m. In addition to live harness racing Batavia Downs Casino offers simulcast wagering from some of North America’s top tracks. The casino floor featuring over 600 slot machines is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Photo courtesy Paul White

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- It was a special night in Western New York as the Downs honored former leading driver Gaston Guindon, and a special horse, Arm and a Leg won the featured $8,000 Open Handicap.

With 2009 leading reinsman Kevin Cummings in the bike, Arm and a Leg notched his fourth Open win of the 2009 Summer-Fall meet in 1:55.3, for owners Mark Jakubik and John Cummings Sr.

Arm and a Leg ($3.70) fired out of the gate from his assigned outside post and put up all the numbers, including a :30.2 second quarter breather, enroute to a neck victory over a  fast closing Triple Bars with Jimmy Whisman, Sparky and Tom Agosti wound up third.

The victory was the 11th of the season for Arm and a Leg who raised his seasonal earnings to almost $70,000. The 6 year-old altered son of Nobleland Sam is trained by John Cummings Sr. 

I had a great evening “The Gasser,” Gaston Guindon said, “I can’t believe how many of my friends came out to see me.” The French-Canadian raced in Western New York for 29 years. “The memories I have of this track are incredible, I want to thank all the people I drove for especially Dennis Cummings, I think we won about 700 races together.”

America’s oldest lighted harness track is currently racing every Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday nights, post time is 7:05p.m.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino 

Photo of Arm and a Leg with driver Kevin Cummings holding off Triple Bars to win Downs feature. Courtesy of Paul White

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Lee Deyermand’s  Fessup Fred, a razor-sharp 7-year-old altered son of Super Freddie, made it three in a row winning Friday's (Sept. 11) featured $8,000 Open II Handicap Trot at Batavia Downs Casino.

With the summer-fall meet’s dash-leading driver Kevin Cummings in the sulky, Fessup Fred left enough from his rail post-position to string out A Work In Progress (Robert Verney) and a three-wide Jack Sparrow (Jim McNeight) as the field of seven clicked the first quarter beam in 28.2.

Moving up around the clubhouse turn on the payoff half and heading to three-quarters, Fessup Fred assumed command and trotted strongly to the wire for a 1-1/4 length score in 1:58.4.

Craiger with Jimmy Whisman closed from far back to be second while A Work In Progress finished third.
 
D J Millner is the conditioner of Fessup Fred ($5.20), who won for the sixth time season and raised his lifetime earnings to over $118,000.
Kevin Cummings was the driving star of the evening guiding home five winners. He also won with Shrewsbury Falcon, Midnight Jogger, Clay Hill King Pin and Educator. Jack Flanigen had three winners on the program while Ray Fisher had a double.
Racing resumes on Saturday night, post time is 7:05 p.m. The Downs will honor Gaston Guindon with a special night, he will be in track lobby from 6 until 7 p.m. to meet and greet his many friends and race fans. “The Gasser” was one of the leading drivers at the Genesee Country oval from 1969 until the early 90’s.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- The summer-fall meet continued on Wednesday (Sept. 9) at Batavia Downs Casino, with three divisions of New York Sire Stakes Late Closers for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers, each carrying a purse of $12,800.

Steel Rein was the fastest of the three divisional winners, going coast to coast in 1:58.2. William Bailey was in the sulky for trainer Ann Yurenka. The Teeth Of The Dog-Mindy’s Sister gelding had to withstand a serious challenge from Lislea Reardon (John Stark, Jr.) around the last turn before going on to a one length score. Steel Rein is now a three-time winner for owners Nancy Swede and New York Standardbreds LTD.

Talk To Tony, with Vernon Downs regular Jimmy Whittemore, did all the talking in the final Late Closer of the evening, as he held off odds-on favorite Park Lane Midnight and Stephane Bouchard to win by one length in 1:58.4, in wire-to-wire fashion. Talk To Tony, an Artiscape-Muggins Hanover gelding, is owned by Jay Sears and John Campagnuolo. Ray Van Dreason does the conditioning. The win was Talk To Tony’s third of the season.

Favorite Bullville Player kicked off the Late Closers as he was put right on the lead by Stephane Bouchard and they never had an anxious moment, winning by a comfortable three lenghts in 2:00.2. Breeder Crevani Farms owns the Bettor’s Delight-Bullville Gabettie gelding. Steve Crevani is the trainer. The victory was Bullville Player's third of the 2009 campaign.

NYSS Late Closers continue next Wednesday night, Sept. 16, as the 2-year-old trotting fillies will be in town.

Pauline Seelster, with Ray Fisher, Jr., won the $9,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace. She was well driven by Ray Fisher, Jr., who took advantage of post one and a speed bias that produced eight gate-to-wire winners on the Wednesday evening program.  Dennis and Paula Cummings own the 7-year-old daughter of Camluck. Dennis Cummings is also the trainer. The win raised Pauline Seelster's lifetime bankroll to more than $189,000.

America’s oldest lighted harness track is currently racing every Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday night, post time is 7:05 p.m.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino 

Photo: Talk to Tony with Jimmy Whittemore taking the final Late Closer of the evening.
Photo courtesty of Paul White.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Again proving he’s the best pacer in Western New York, the popular sidewheeler Arm And A Leg was victorious in the $8,500 Open Handicap on Saturday night (Sept-5) at Batavia Downs Casino.

Arm And A Leg was sent right to the front by Downs dash leading driver Kevin Cummings and they never had an anxious moment in cruising to an easy 5-1/4 length score in 1:54 flat. Triple Bars (Jimmy Whisman) was second and Oh Gee Whiz (Jim McNeight) completed the top three.

This was Arm And A Leg’s third Open win during the 2009 Summer-Fall meet and his 10th win this season. He’s a 6-year-old son of Nobleland Sam. John Cummings Sr. trains and co-owns with Mark Jakubik. Going off as the favorite Arm And A Leg paid $4.30 to win.

America’s oldest lighted Harness track will present a special Labor Day matinee program; post time is 1:15 p.m. Food specials include an $8.00 Chicken Barbeque and $1.00 Hot Dogs served in the Paddock room and a $6.95 lunch buffet in the Clubhouse, all available from noon until 4 p.m.

In addition to live racing from August to December, Batavia Downs Casino offers simulcast wagering from some of North America’s top tracks. The gaming floor, featuring over 600 of the area’s hottest slot machines is open from 10:00 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily. For more information call 585-343-3750 or go on-line at www.bataviadownsasino.com.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Photo of Arm And A Leg with Kevin Cummings cruising  to victory in Batavia featured pace. Courtesy of Paul White.
 

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- As advertised the New York sired 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers were expected to put on quite a show, Friday night (Sept-4) at Batavia Downs Casino, and show they did not only breaking the track record once but in all three divisions.

Getting Personal’s 1:53.2 record for 3-year-old male pacers, set in 1993, was clearly on the line with 22 extremely talented sophomores in town to compete for more than $200,000 in New York Sire Stakes money.

It didn’t take long for a new record to be established as it came in the very first race. OK Braveheart, with Jim Morrill, Jr., went right to the front, opened an insurmountable lead at the half and cruised to a 10-1/2 length score in 1:52.2 to break the previous record by a full second. The final time was just two-fifths of a second off Kenneth J’s 1:52 all-age track record.

OK Braveheart (Bettor's Delight-Color Me Beachy) scored his ninth win of the season and raised his 2009 bankroll to more than $199,000 for owners David Scharf, Rick Phillps and Chuck Pompey. Former Batavia Downs trainer Chris Oakes is the conditioner. OK Braveheart is currently the points leader for the New York Bred Night of Champions finals to be held at Vernon Downs on September 26.

““He felt so good. I just let him roll,” reinsman Jim Morrill, Jr. said. “If I would have chased after him he might have paced in :51 (1:51) and a piece.”

Morrill also drove Kenneth J to the all-age record last year.

Tim Bojarski, President of the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association made a special presentation.

Division two, the slowest of the three divisions, wasn’t slow at all; in fact it was faster than Getting Personal's previous record.

Handsome Harry (Dream Away-Princess Jocelyn), again with Jim Morrill, Jr., brushed to command coming to the half and paced a :28 final stanza to score in 1:53. Mark Ford is the trainer. Ralph Del Priore, Jr. and Harry Doyle are the owners of Handsome Harry, who notched his 12th win of the season. His 2009 earnings now stand at more than $211,000.

The last, but certainly not least, NYSS division came in race nine. This race would be the closest of the three with the unbeaten gelding Go Go Solano (Bettor's Delight-Real Excitement) and Aaron Merriman and the very well regarded colt Hypnotic Blue Chip and Jim Morrill, Jr. hooking up around final turn and putting on quite a stretch battle.

Pacing his last quarter in a sizzling :27.2, Hypnotic Blue Chip was able to get up at the wire to prevail by a quarter-length in 1:52.3 over the previously unbeaten Mark Capone-trained gelding. Capone was the trainer of former track record holder Getting Personal.

Hypnotic Blue Chip’s (Art Major-A Traceofmagic) 11th win of 2009 raised his seasonal earnings to more than $360,000 for owners Rachel Frost, Stable 45, Robert Murphy and Mark Harder, who is also the trainer.

“I had to work harder than I thought I would,” Morrill said in the winner’s circle. “I’m a little out of breath, that other horse (Go Go Solano) gave us all we wanted.”

For the second time this season Morrill swept all three NYSS divisions.

Live racing at America’s oldest lighted harness track continues this holiday weekend on Saturday night; post time is 7:05 p.m. The Downs will present a special matinee racing program on Labor Day, post time is 1:15 p.m.

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Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Pictured, OK Braveheart. Photo courtesy Paul White.

This autographed, Hall of Fame, Jim Kelly football of among the auction items you could win at Batavia Downs tomorrow in a charity auction to benefit Mercy Flight.

Post time is 1:15 p.m.

It's all part of Family Fun Day at Batavia Downs. The fun includes a bounce house, Pringles the Clown and Mr. Scribbles (from 2 to 4 p.m.).

And of course, the always popular annual Wiener Dog Race (post time 4:20 p.m.)!

The auction is a silent auction and will be held in the Paddock Room from noon until 5 p.m.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY ---  Witch Is Bettor, Eagle Way and Indulge Me, all driven by Jim Morrill Jr., won their respective divisions in New York Sire Stakes action, Friday Night (Aug. 28) at Batavia Downs Casino.

Almost $200,000 in New York Sire Stakes money was up for grabs for the 3-year-old pacing fillies.

The fastest and most impressive winner was Witch Is Bettor, who just missed the Downs track record, when she scored under wraps by four lengths in 1:54.2, just missing Isabella Blue Chip’s 1:54.1 record.

Coming to the half Witch Is Bettor and Morrill unleashed a powerful three-wide brush to assume command heading into the clubhouse turn and coast to victory--not bad considering the temperature was an unseasonably cool 65 degrees.
 
“She got a little grabby so I tipped her out and let her pace, I didn’t want to sit behind the 4-horse (Keep It Fair) so I went on with it,” Morrill said, “ If I had known we could have broke the record I would have let her pace a little more.”

The Bettor’s Delight-Witch Hanover filly is owned and trainer by Robert Horowitz and Jerrold Spitzberg of New Jersey. The win was Witch is Bettor’s sixth of the season and raised her 2009 earnings to over $142,000.

Eagle Way, going off an overwhelming favorite started off the trifecta of Sire Stakes races when she took the short around to win in 1:56.1 by 1-1/4 lengths. Getting away second Morrill sat the pocket behind Up Front Kellie Jo (Wally Hennessey), angled to the passing lane as the field turned for home to win going away.

“We were going so slow I thought Wally’s filly would carry me and she did” Morrill said.

The Dream Away-Western Dancer filly notched her fifth win of the season for owner Frank Dettore Horse Racing LLC of Ohio. Mark Ford is the conditioner. Her 2009 bankroll stands at over $158,000.

The photo camera was needed to decide the order of finish in final stakes event of the evening as three very talented fillies were charging to the wire. When the dust settled it was Indulge Me holding on to win over pocketsitting Perfect Launch (Greg Merton) and a wide All Spirit (Jim Marohn Jr.) in 1:55.2. Moving at the quarter, Indulge Me and Morrill put up all the numbers to tally her sixth win of the year for owners Robert and Lauren Tucker and trainer Ed Lohmeyer of New Jersey. The win boosted Indulge Me’s lifetime earnings to more than $500,000.

The 2009 stakes season at Batavia Downs Casino continues on Sunday afternoon. Three Late Closers, also for the 3-year-old pacing fillies, will be contested. Sunday post time is 1:15 p.m.

Racing resumes on Saturday night, with post time set for 7:05 p.m.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Three divisions of New York Bred Late Closers for 2-year-old Colt and Gelding trotters were contested on Wednesday night (Aug-19) at Batavia Downs Casino. Each carried a purse of $12,700.

The fastest of the three winners came in the first division, carded as race number two. Aruba Vacation, a Dream Vacation-Dixie Hill gelding put up all the numbers en route to a 9-length victory in 2:03.4. Dan Daley is the trainer/driver for owners Howard stables, Ann-Mari Daley and Richard Lombarbo.
Locally owned Wrinkle This (Troy Boring) was farther back in second while Naughty Image (Dude Goodblood Jr.) wound up third.

Dream Vacation, standing at Winbak Farms, notched his second winner of the night, this time with Headingforaruckus for owner Dennis Robert Beaver. Kevin Cummings drove for trainer Kirk Desmond. Headingforaruckus got up to score by a ¼ length in a 5-horse blanket finish in 2:05.4. Vagra with Doug Ackley closed in to be second while Gunshy Kosmos (Ron Beback Jr.), who held a stretch lead, had to settle for third.

BJ’s Super Trooper (Dilibert Hanover-Yankee T) won the final Late Closer of the evening in 2:04.4 by a neck in tow to Jimmy Whittemore for owner/trainer Jeff Deslandes and William Bramer. Longshot Blues And BBQ’s (Dude Goodblood Jr.) led until the deep stretch and finished second. Signal Hill Ginger, with former Downs reinsman Mark Whitcroft rounded out the top three.

Pembroke Primo, moving up from the claiming ranks, closed from last to first to win the $9,000 Filly and Mare Open in 1:56.1. Kevin Cummings was in the sulky for owner/trainer John Cummings Sr. and Mark Jakubik.

Racing resumes Friday night, August 21. The first of 12 gets underway at 7:05 p.m. Batavia Downs Casino is currently racing every Monday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday Night. For more information go online at www.bataviadownscasino.com.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Three divisions of New York bred 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters, with purse money of $12,700 each, highlight the 12-race Wednesday evening (August 19) Batavia Downs Casino program. The action gets underway at 7:05 p.m.

Race two kicks off the Late Closing action. Aruba Vacation, by Dream Vacation, starts out at 5-2 on the morning line for trainer/driver Dan Daley. Aruba Vacation has earned over $7,300 after making four lifetime starts -- three against New York Sire Stakes competition and one in the Tompkins-Geers at Tioga. Also entered is the locally owned Wrinkle This, a Wrinkle In Time colt who is already a three-time winner, his last victory coming at the Caledonia fairgrounds.

Division two is carded as race five. Another Dan Daley juvenile, Sun Island, figures to get most of the attention. The CR Excalibur gelding comes off a second place finish in a $30,786 NYSS event at Saratoga. George Ducharme, trainer of Downs 2-year-old track record holder Donttellmywife, sends out the Malabar Man colt He’smyman. Local reinsman Jack Flanigen will be at the controls.

Race ten will be the final Late Closer of the evening. Incentive Hall, fresh off a second place finish last Sunday afternoon in a $25,149 New York State Fair event, looks poised for a big effort. The Conway Hall colt is trained by Jim Mulcahy. Kevin Cummings will be back in the sulky.

The Wednesday program also features the $9,000 Filly and Mares Open pace. Jezzabell Hotspur, already over $65,000 in seasonal earnings starts out as the favorite. Sherri Holliday conditions the talented side-wheeler for owner Betty Tauber. Chris Page will be in town to drive.

America’s oldest lighted harness track is currently racing every Monday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday. Simulcast action from North America’s top tracks is offered every day but Tuesday and the Gaming Floor, featuring over 600 slot machines is open 7 days a week, from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. 

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Press release

Batavia, NY --- Scotts Roll Royce has been one of the best horses in Western New York this season and on Saturday night (Aug-15) at Batavia Downs Casino racing fans got to see why.

Stepping up from the claiming ranks, Scotts Rolls Royce unleashed a powerful burst of speed around the final turn to win going away in the featured $9,000 Open Handicap. The final time of 1:54.4 was the fastest pace so far during the 2009 Summer-Fall meet.  Jimmy Whisman was at the controls for owner- trainer Greg Luther of Ohio. The win was the 12th of the season for Scotts Rolls Royce ($18.40) and raised his 2009 earnings to over $53,000.

Triple Bars (Robert Verney), first-over in the mile finished a game second while Oh Gee Whiz (Jim McNeight), who led for most of the mile, wound up third.

Kevin Cummings continued with his hot hand (and bruised arm) guiding home four more winners to increase his lead in the drivers standings. Jimmy Whisman scored a hat-trick while Jim McNeight and Robert Verney had driving doubles.

Racing resumes on Monday night at America’s Oldest Light Harness track, post time is 7:05 p.m. Mondays in August are Seniors Night, Beginning at 5:30 p.m., all seniors 55 and over that swipe their Players Club card receive a free racing program and a $2.00 discount at the Paddock Room concession stand.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Photo by Paul White

Press Release:

Batavia, NY -- The saying you can’t keep a good man down certainly applied to Batavia Downs Casino dash leading driver Kevin Cummings on Friday night (Aug-14). Back in the bike after a nasty spill on Monday night, Cummings won the featured $9,000 Open Handicap Trot with Australian Stock and the $7,200 co-featured Open II trot with Ima a Cricket Also. Both horses are conditioned by D. J. Millner.

“My hip still hurts and I’m all bandaged up (his arm and elbow) but I’m happy to be back,” Cummings said in the paddock before the start of the races.

Leaving from post-seven in the weekly trotting feature Cummings had Australian Stock quickly on the lead after an eighth of a mile but yielded the front to last weeks open trot winner, Jack Sparrow, and Jim McNeight. Not content with second, Cummings  moved Australian Stock back to the front at the three-eighths and trotted home strongly to the wire to score in 1:58.4. Jack Sparrow was a 1-1/2 lengths back in second and Manfromnantucket (Jack Flanigen) finished farther back in third.

“He’s razor sharp right now, once I got him back on the lead I didn’t think they would beat him, DJ’s done a nice job with him,” Cummings said in the Winners Circle.

The victory was the seventh of the season for Australian Stock, a 5-year-old son of Angus Hall. He raised his 2009 earnings to over $45,000 for owner David Slyman of Ohio.

Ima a Cricket Also, parlayed a perfect trip into a 10-1 upset score in the co-feature. Firing out of the gate from post-eight, Cummings was able to drop in the two-hole as the field entered the Clubhouse turn. Sitting in the garden spot until the final turn, Cummings pulled the 7-year-old daughter of Armbro Laser to the outside and was up to challenge pace-setter Joe Page (Tom Agosti) at the top of the stretch. Down the lane, Ima a Cricket Also, powered away to a 1-1/2 length score over a closing Cade Callihan (Ray Fisher Jr.) in 1:59.3. Joe Page finished third.

“Batavia Downs Live”, the 3 ½ hour live television broadcast debuted Friday night in the Buffalo market on the Universal Sports network channel 114. The races are also available on Verizon Fios channel 460 and off-air with a digital converter on channel 2-2. The broadcast begins at 7:00.

The Batavia races also available in the Rochester market and surrounding counties on Time Warner channel 98. Please be advised the races will not be aired on Saturday night (Aug-15), on channel 98, the show returns on Monday night.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino