Batavia Downs

(Photo of Zero Tolerance and Hall of Fame driver David Miller, courtesy of Fotowon.)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Zero Tolerance is the second-richest sophomore filly in all of North America this year and she will be competing in the final division of the $111,900 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old pacing fillies at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 28). Plus her regular reinsman, Hall of Fame driver David Miller, will also be on hand for a rare Western New York appearance. 

Zero Tolerance (Heston Blue Chip-Feelinglikeastar) has been perfect in NYSS action this year and comes into Wednesday’s race off a victory in the $232,700 Empire Breeders Classic at Tioga Downs where she paced a lifetime best 1:50.2 mile. Prior to that back in June, she finished second in the $300,000 James M. Lynch Memorial at the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono where she just got beat less than a length and paced in 1:49.4. 

She is currently the top filly in points (200) and earnings ($149,250) in her NYSS bracket and is also the second-richest distaff pacer and sixth-richest overall among all 3-year-old pacers in North America with $354,173 on her card this year. 

Zero Tolerance drew post four in the five-horse field that will go for $56,500 and has been made the prohibitive morning line favorite at 2-5. 

Her all Hall of Fame connections of trainer Joe Holloway and driver Dave Miller will be on hand in full support. 

In the other $55,400 split, the number two gal in the state is nearly as favored going in to that event as well. 

So Awesome (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) sits directly behind Zero Tolerance in NYSS action in points (199) and earnings ($143,499) and like the leader, will be making a return trip to Batavia Downs for the $1.8 million NYSS Night of Champions finals in just over two weeks on Saturday (Sept. 14).

After reeling off two straight wins prior to her last start, So Awesome got parked out and interfered with in that subsequent overnight outing at Pocono forcing her to finish off the board. However road trouble shouldn’t be an issue in this four-horse field and as a result, she has been made 4-5 by the track handicapper in there. Trainer Scott Di Domenico has leading NYSS driver Tyler Buter in the bike once again for this outing.   

Despite the short morning line, this is a tough field. Fool Me Again (Roll With Joe-Fool That I Am) just finished second to Zero Tolerance in the Empire Breeders Classic and Carbon Capture (Art Major-Jated Love) who changed barns on a claim three starts ago has since won two consecutive races at Scioto Downs, taking two consecutive lifetime marks.  

Trainer Blake Macintosh has Matt Kakaley up on Fool Me Again from post three and and trainer Logan Powell has assigned Jim Morrill Jr. to steer Carbon Capture from post one. 

Due to the short fields, there will be no place or show wagering in either NYSS race. 

There is also one Excelsior “A” event on the card that goes as race one. Post time for that race is 5 p.m.

(Above inset photo of David Miller courtesy of Mark Hall.)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Joseph A. Amico Sr. Passed away on Thursday (Aug. 22) surrounded by his family.

Mr. Amico had a career as a builder, but he was also heavily involved in harness racing in western New York for over 55 years. He first got involved through ownership of a horse named Butch Mac in 1960 and had been an active owner in the sport until 2016. He owned a total of 60 horses during that time including High C Byrd, Oxford Flyer, Eyredale, Fays Rene, Better Bomb, Affable Poplar N, Prince Lee Norm, Tulip T Collins and Best Ears.

Mr. Amico is predeceased by his wife, Norma (Agricoltoso) Amico; brother, Jim (Fran) Amico; sister, Mary (Anthony) Gianni; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Raymond (Carmella) Agricoltoso, Alfred (Mary) Agricoltoso; Ida (Tony) Spaziano, Martha (Vincent) Pettrone, Jane (Santo) Pellitteri, Catherine (Ray) Magliozzi, Celia (John) Izzo, Virginia (Louie) Trombetta.

Mr. Amico is survived by his children, Joseph A. Amico Jr., Angela (Richard) Wolf; grandchildren, Deana (Stephen) Percassi, Joseph E. (Alison) Amico, Heather (James) Rodriguez, Amber (David) Santos, Alexa Wolf, Ricky Wolf; great-grandchildren, Alexandra, Dylan, Stephen, Carly and Collin; many nieces, nephews and friends.

There will be no prior calling. On Tuesday (Aug. 27) all are invited to attend his Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Brigid Church, 18 Gibson St., Bergen, NY. Interment is private. 

Those that wish to do so, donations in his memory may be directed to Hospice of Orleans, 14080 Route 31 West, P.O. Box 489, Albion, NY 14411. The family would like to thank all of Mr. Amico’s caregivers and neighbors for their love and support.

Photo: Gimpanzee with driver Brian Sears.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Gimpanzee (Chapter Seven-Steamy Windows) was everything the large live crowd that gathered on the Batavia Downs apron came out to see as he cruised to an easy win in his division of the $118,500 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings at the Downs tonight (Aug. 24).

Gimpanzee (Brian Sears) got away third initially while Whimzical Chapter (Dan Daley) hustled to the front. But just past the eighth pole Sears pulled him and rushed to the front to claim the lead by the quarter in a pedestrian :29.2. Now firmly in control, the 1-9 shot led six 99-1 shots to the half in :58.1 and the three-quarters in 1:27.1.

Gimpanzee seemed to switch gears on his own heading into the final turn as Sears sat still as a statue. Motoring around that bend he extended his lead with every lengthening stride and by the time he entered the stretch, he was gone. Chimpanzee opened up five and was in full flight down the lane and hit the wire all alone in 1:55.1.

“He is so easy to drive, from day one. Marcus (Melander) has done such a great job with him,” Sears said. “The horse has got a lot of talent and he makes my job easy because he knows what we’re trying to accomplish out there and he doesn’t fight me. He is just a total professional in every way.”

It was the 13th lifetime win in only 15 lifetime starts for Chimpanzee ($2.10) who moves closer to the million dollar mark, now with earnings of $895,996 on his card. The Dan Patch Award winning trotter is owned by Courant Inc. and S R F Stable. Marcus Melander is the trainer.

(Above photo, Livinonthedash with driver Marcus Miller.)

In the other $59,800 NYSS split, Livinonthedash (Muscle Mass-Sunshine Glide) won handily after rationing out the speed in the middle panels. Livinonthedash (Marcus Miller) out-muscled Winnerup (Brian Sears) for the lead at the quarter in :28 and then led the group for the remainder of the race.

Miller quickly put the breaks on from there and went the next two quarters in :30.3 and :30.2, getting to the three-quarters in 1:29. There, Lucky Weekend (Jim Morrill Jr.) had caught the leader and was trotting alongside around the final turn. But that would be as close as he would get as Miller gave Livinonthedash his head and he trotted away without urging to win by 1-¼ lengths in 1:58.

“I haven’t had him on the front end in quite a while and when I got him there we were able to go a nice slow middle half so it worked out well,” said Miller.

It was the third win in a row, fifth out of his last six and ninth of the year for Livinonthedash ($2.60) who has now amassed $201,272 for his owners the Ervin Miller Stable, David Prushnok and Tangle Massey. Erv Miller is the trainer. Both Gimpanzee and Livinonthedash will compete in the $500,000 Yonkers Trot next Saturday (Aug. 31) and then will return to Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 14) for the $1.8 million New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions.

Two divisions of the $15,000 Excel “A” series were also contested on Saturday, producing the following results.

Lights Come On (Chapter Seven-Starlit Eyes)

Driver -- Billy Davis Jr.

Owner -- Acl Stuteri Ab, Ted Gewertz and Anette Lorentzen

Trainer -- Anette Lorentzen

Breeder -- Winbak Farm

Time -- 1:57.1

Mutuel -- $3.10

JNR Express (Conway Hall-Yankee T L C)

Driver -- Brian Sears

Owner -- James De Armond and Russell Young

Trainer -- Jessica Okusko

Breeder -- Donald La Page

Time -- 1:57.4

Mutuel -- $7.60

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 25) and features Family Fun Day and the very popular Wiener Dog Races. Post time for the first horse race is 1:15 p.m.

Quincy Blue Chip with driver Jim Morrill Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Quincy Blue Chip (Chapter Seven-Sirenuse) had a big night at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Aug. 23). She won the $118,800 New York Sire Stake (NYSS) sophomore filly trot, moved into the points and money earnings lead for her age and gender bracket and broke the standing track record for second year distaff trotters. 

Driver Jim Morrill Jr. left the gate easily with Quincy Blue Chip and took almost all of the :28.1 first quarter to make the front. But once they got the lead, the rest was history. With an open two-length lead, Quincy Blue Chip tripped the next two timers in :58.1 and 1:27.2, the last with With Out A Doubt (Marcus Miller) and Sensibility (Scott Zeron) directly at her flank pushing the issue. But Morrill let Quincy Blue Chip have her head and she trotted stronger as they headed into the stretch. Down the lane she was on cruise and crossed the line wrapped-up in 1:55.4. 

“I got her off the gate and eased her to the front. Once she got there she was very strong,” said her driver Morrill. “I popped the plugs at the three-quarters and she was gone. She trotted down the stretch a thousand; as fast as any 3-year-old filly I ever sat behind.”

The winning time of 1:55.4 was a new track record for 3-year-old trotting fillies, breaking the old mark of 1:56.4 set by Celebrity Ruth in 2017 and tied by Seventh Heaven that same year. 

It was the seventh win of the year for Quincy Blue Chip ($3.10) and it pushed her 2019 earnings to $343,425. She has now surpassed the half-million dollar mark lifetime with with $525,387 in the bank. 

Quincy Blue Chip is owned by Barbara and James Boese and Richard Banca, who also does the training. 

Before starting in the $225,000 NYSS final on the Night of Champions at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 14), Quincy Blue Chip will compete in the Hudson Filly Trot at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday (Aug. 31). 

Morrill had a big night in the bike besides this win as he ended up with a hat trick on the card to lead all drivers on Friday. 

Two divisions of the $15,000 Excel “A” series were also contested on Friday, producing the following results. 

Qiss Me Blue Chip  (Chapter Seven-Make It Blue Chip)

Driver -- Billy Davis Jr.

Owner -- Rick Zeron Stable, James Walker, Noblock Racing Stable and Blue Chip Bloodstock

Trainer -- Rick Zeron

Breeder -- Ray Schnittker, Ted Gewertz, Charles Iannazzo and Blue Chip Bloodstock

Time -- 1:58.2

Mutuel -- $9.70

Amal Hall (Credit Winner-Arabella Hall)

Driver -- Jason Bartlett

Owner -- Andy Miller Stable and DumaineHaven

Trainer -- Julie Miller

Breeder -- Walnut Hall

Time -- 1:57.3

Mutuel -- $2.40

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 24). Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.

Photo of Gimpanzee with Hall of Fame driver Brian Sears, courtesy of Fotowon.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

It’s not too often Batavia Downs gets to host a Hambletonian finalist and Dan Patch Award winner all in the same night, but Saturday (Aug. 24) will be one such occasion as Gimpanzee (Chapter Seven-Steamy Windows) will be in town to compete in the $118,500 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters.  

After going a perfect nine for nine, sweeping all the NYSS legs and final and closing out the year with a win in the $600,000 Breeders Crown, Gimpanzee was named the Dan Patch 2-year-old colt trotter of 2018. He picked up at three right where he left off when he won his first start in the $215,200 Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon Downs and then two consecutive NYSS events. He also took a new lifetime mark of 1:52.4 at Tioga Downs and ran his lifetime unbeaten streak to 12. 

His next start was the Hambletonian elimination where he was parked the whole mile from post seven and finished fourth, only a length behind Green Manalishi in a time of 1:50.3. He advanced to the final and experienced almost the exact same trip; left from post seven, was parked the whole mile and finished a strong closing third, beaten only a length behind the winner Forbidden Trade in 1:51.  

Gimpanzee’s first start in the three weeks since will be in the $58,700 division of the NYSS and for obvious reasons, he is heavily respected as the 1-5 morning line choice. Trainer Marcus Melander has his regular driver Hall of Famer Brian Sears in the bike and they drew post one in this seven-horse race. 

There will only be win betting offered on the race.

The Batavia Downs track record for 3-year-old trotting colts is 1:54.3 set by Archangel in 2012 and later tied by his son Top Flight Angel in 2017. Given Gimpanzee’s 1:55, 7-1/2 length romp over the half at Yonkers back in June, this record could be in serious jeopardy. 

In the second $59,800 split of the evening, Livinonthedash (Muscle Mass-Sunshine Glide) has been made the 2-1 morning choice and certainly looks the part. 

Livinonthedash comes in with four wins (all on half-mile tracks) out of his last five starts, the only loss in that stretch being to Gimpanzee. Unraced at two, he made his first state stake start in the Excel A series where he made a break and was placed sixth. From there his fortunes turned around. After two overnight starts at Harrah’s Philadelphia, Livinonthedash has since been a formidable contender in the NYSS and has the highest money earned ($129,622) and is the third highest point-getter (179) in his bracket. 

The father and son team of trainer Erv Miller and driver Marcus Miller will start from post four. 

Winnerup (Credit Winner-Up Front Hotsey) looks to make his presence known despite having drawn post eight as he is the highest money winner ($126,945) and has the second most points (200). Winnerup also likes a half-mile track having won easily at Monticello and Yonkers and just getting beat at Saratoga last week by Livinonthedash. 

Trainer Trond Smedshammer who usually drives Winnerup has put Brian Sears in the seat for this race and that is the first time anyone other than Smedshammer has sat behind this horse since April. 

Lucky Weekend (Lucky Chucky-Weekend Vacation) has only missed the board once in his last six starts and that was due to a break while out of contention. He comes into this race off a win at Yonkers as well and that was gate to wire from post eight. 

Jim Morrill Jr. picks up the lines for trainer Chris Lakata in here. 

There are also two $15,000 Excel A races on the card. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

A short but select group of entrants will compete in one race for the winner’s share of the $118,800 up for grabs when the 3-year-old trotting fillies march into Batavia Downs for their 2019 New York Sire Stake (NYSS) local appearance. 

Quincy Blue Chip and Winndevie have been the two best horses in the state series for the past two years and will once again line up and face off at Batavia in the fifth race with six other competitors trying to derail them both. 

Quincy Blue Chip (Chapter Seven-Sirenuse) is having a career year with six wins, a lifetime mark of 1:53.2 and $284,025 in earnings to date. She won the $209,500 Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon Downs in May and three NYSS events since then. She was on a two-race win streak going into her last start at Vernon Downs where she made an untimely break going to the quarter, trying to get the lead. 

Quincy Blue Chip currently sits in second place in points (191) and earnings ($160,715) in this series behind Winndevie, who also beat her in the NYSS 2-year-old final last year.

Quincy Blue Chip will try to get the best of her competition here and draws post five and trainer Richard Banca has regular driver Jim Morrill Jr. back up for this race. She has been made the track handicapper’s morning line choice at 2-1. 

Winndevie (Credit Winner-Vida De Vie) is the top point-getter (212) and money earner ($166,385) in her class this year, that includes three wins and without missing the board in any of her NYSS events. She comes into this race off a lifetime best performance at Vernon Downs where she won in 1:54 flat and appears to be as sharp as she’s been at any point in her career. 

Winndevie drew post eight and trainer Trond Smedshammer once again assigned Jason Bartlett to drive and that bodes well for her chances despite the post. She is listed at 7-2 morning line. 

This is the last leg of the NYSS 3-year-old trotting fillies and as the points go, six of the eight horses racing here Friday have already made the final. The two horses who are outside looking in are Blue Ribbon Gal (Credit Winner-Carolla) who could move into the final group of eight by merely finishing fifth and gaining a minimum of five points and Avalonia (Muscles Yankee-Ava Marion) who is already mathematically eliminated. 

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

Photo: Little Joke and driver Billy Davis Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

With the prohibitive favorite coming up short, Little Joke took it upon herself to win the $12,500 fillies and mares Open I Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 21) and blow up the tote board at 21-1.

Lady London (Shawn McDonough) went right to the front while the rest of the field opted to stay in post position order behind her, except for HP Sissy (Ray Fisher Jr.) who broke behind the gate. Lady London went to the quarter in :28 and an even slower half of :57 and still no opposition from anyone in the race. 

As they moved into the third turn, 3-5 favorite Sidewalk Dancer (Hunter Oakes) pulled from fifth and tried to advance in the breeze. But progression was negligible as she hung a parked third to the three-quarters in 1:24.4, still 2-3/4 lengths behind the leader. At this point Billy Davis Jr., who had been enjoying a perfect trip in the two-hole with Little Joke, tugged the right line and asked the mare to drive on. And respond she did; pacing past Lady London at the top of the lane and then under an animated drive by Davis, held off a fast-closing Miss Mary Mach (Dave McNeight III) in deep stretch to win in 1:53.1. 

The time was a new seasonal mark for Little Joke and was only 1/5^th of a second off the track record for aged pacing mares. 

It was the sixth win of the year for Little Joke ($44.20) who has now earned $50,928 for owners Vogel and Wags Nags Stable and Jack Rice. Maria Rice trains the winner. 

Davis and Rice had so much fun in the feature, they teamed up again for an instant replay in the $11,000 Open II Handicap with Hey Sweetie ($7), who like her stablemate earlier, tripped out behind the front-running Mach’s Echo (Drew Monti) until the top of the stretch where she pulled, took the lead and won in 1:55.1.

Hey Sweetie is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Jack Rice and Adelphi Bloodstock.   

Billy Davis Jr. went on to win two more races, giving him the Grand Slam on the evening. 

Long prices seemed to be the theme of the day and in the third race, Missevil (John Cummings Jr.) was happy to oblige. She scored from post eight at 25-1 paying $52.50, beating 19-1 Keystone Zeta (James McNeight Jr.) who finished second. These top two finishers sparked an 8-3 exacta that returned $1,504, an 8-3-2 trifecta that paid $3,524 and an 8-3-2-ALL superfecta that produced an instant jackpot payout of $11,316.   

There was a $10,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool at The Downs on Wednesday that was not hit and as a result another guarantee has been made. When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Aug. 23), the Pick-5 will have a guaranteed pool of $35,000 as part of the United States Trotting Association’s (USTA) Strategic Wagering Program and free program pages will be available on the USTA website as a result. This is the highest guaranteed pool ever offered in the history of Batavia Downs.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 21) at 5 p.m., the track will feature a $10,000 guaranteed pool on the early Pick-5 wager that runs from race one to race five.

It is part of the United States Trotting Association’s (USTA) Strategic Wagering program and as such, free program pages are available for those races on the USTA website, or by clicking this for a direct download: http://bit.ly/Bat82119

The first race of the night, and of the Pick-5, is the $12,500 fillies and mare Open I Handicap pace and this week it’s loaded with talent.

Paul Zabielski’s Spreester (Drew Monti) is two for two at Batavia since shipping in from Saratoga Raceway, winning the Open II and Open I in successive outings. In her win last week, Spreester drew off by 11-3/4 lengths in the stretch and made a shambles of the competition in a season’s best 1:53.2 effort.

However this week Chris Oakes’ Sidewalk Dancer (Hunter Oakes) ships in from The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono fresh off of her top performance of the year; a 1:51, 3-1/4 length win in an upper-level conditioned event over the storied 5/8th's oval in Wilkes-Barre.

The 8-year-old Spreester has 51 lifetime wins whereas the 4-year-old Sidewalk Dancer is seasoned for her age, having faced the toughest 3-year-old fillies on the Grand Circuit all last year. These two will square-off in a heavyweight battle making the first leg of the $10,000 guaranteed Pick-5 a wide open affair.

Photo: Black Is Back with driver Driver Dave McNeight III.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Black Is Back took full advantage of post one in Saturday night’s (Aug.17) $12,500 Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs, going gate to wire in impressive fashion.

Driver Dave McNeight III flew off the wings to claim the point with Black Is Back in the first turn and then kept his foot on the gas to the quarter in :27 flat. The race was basically over at that point as the pair would just continue to extend their lead from there. 

After hitting the half in :56.2 on top by 1-½, Black Is Back paced away to a two length lead at three-quarters and four lengths by the top of the stretch. As he turned for home, McNeight sat statuesque as the wrapped-up Black Is Back continued to pull away and hit the beam on top by seven in 1:53.2. 

It was the second win in four Batavia Downs starts and seventh win of the year for Black Is Back ($3.70) who now has banked $50,110 this year for owners Curtis Edholm and Mihajlo Zdjelar Sr.. Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr. trains the winner. 

The $11,000 Open II Handicap also went to a coast to coast winner; Tullow N. 

John Cummings Jr. rousted Tullow N off the gate and to the front and never let anyone get close to them the whole mile. After clicking off fractions of  :27.4, :56.4 and 1:24.4 with a loose lead to boot, the field was scattered behind Tullow N except for Manceiver (Drew Monti) who sat the pocket the entire way and was close enough to be considered a contender. But Tullow N didn’t see it that way as he turned for home and pulled away to a 2-¾ length win in 1:53.1. 

With $55,135 in earnings on the strength of four wins in 2019, Tullow N ($8.10) is also two for four since coming to Batavia Downs. Blindswitch Racing owns the 8-year-old altered son of Mach Three-Tessa Bromac and Dave Russo does the training.

Shawn Gray was in from Saratoga to drive on Saturday and put on a clinic while he was here. Gray won half the card; five out of the 10 races including a natural Hat Trick in the final three races of the night. He had his picture taken with Best Ears (1:54, $9.20), Myell’s Rockstar (1:54.2, $6.30), Thisjetsabookin (1:54.2, $4.20), M G Home Run (1:56, $13.60) and P C Shockwave (1:56.4, $2.60). The five-bagger vaulted him from ninth to fourth in the local driver standings in one night. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on this afternoon (Aug. 18) at 1:15 p.m. Sunday will feature a $3,000 guaranteed pool on the early Pick-5 wager that runs from race one to race five. It is part of the United States Trotting Association’s (USTA) Strategic Wagering program and as such, free program pages are available for those races on the USTA website or by clicking here for a direct download. (http://bit.ly/2Nc7pwj)

Above, Wheels A Turning with driver Dave McNeight III.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

After heavy late afternoon rains degraded the track to sloppy, a very game Wheels A Turning overcame the weather, a slow start and a breaking horse to score a decisive victory in the $12,500 Open Handicap trotting feature at Batavia Downs on Friday evening (Aug. 16). 

Off the gate, Dragin The Wagon (Shawn McDonough) went for the lead and in doing so, got parked three-deep around the first turn before clearing at the quarter in :27.3. Once on top, McDonough backed off the half to :57 trying to save some for later. Going past the stands before they hit the third turn, Rose Run Speedster (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Wheels A Turning (Dave McNeight III) pulled and got an outer flow going to try and take advantage of the early speed. 

As they trotted past the five-eighths, Keystone Apache (Billy Davis Jr.) pulled from second and immediately made a break in front of Rose Run Speedster. That cleared the way for Rose Run Speedster to draw alongside Dragin The Wagon and Wheels A Turning, who was on his back, to go three-deep at three-quarters in 1:26.3. Dragin The Wagon said goodnight at the top of the stretch leaving Rose Run Speedster and Wheels A Turning engaged in a match race to the wire. After trotting in unison for almost the last eighth of a mile, Wheels A Turning finally nudged ahead before the wire and won by a length in 1:56.4. 

The eighth win of the season for Wheels A Turning ($5.60) was also a seasonal best effort and the winner’s share of the purse boosted his earnings to $61,810 for owners Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi. James Clouser Jr. trains the winner. 

In the $11,000 Open II trot, Lucky Guess (Ray Fisher Jr.) was on a mission when the gate released the field, taking control from post one like a shot. After being unchallenged to the half in a tepid :59.2, Noble Legend (Billy Davis Jr.) pulled from third at the half with Southern Palms (Jim Morrill Jr.) behind him and they both started to push the issue.

Motoring up the backstretch, Lucky Guess and Noble Legend went stride for stride to the three-quarters when Noble Legend started to fade and Southern Palms tipped three-deep and advanced. When the race moved off the turn, Lucky Guess had opened up a two-length lead and down the lane, Fisher raised the lines over his head to let his horse trot home on her own and win in 1:58.2. 

The time was a new lifetime mark for the 6-year-old daughter of Lucky Chucky-Athenea. 

It was the second win in three Batavia Downs starts for Lucky Guess ($14.20) and her owner Dennis Beaver. Kirk Desmond trains Lucky Guess. 

Ray Fisher Jr. was the hot driver for the night, scoring a Grand Slam on the card. Jim Morrill Jr. got the Hat Trick and Dave McNeight III and Billy Davis Jr. each had driving doubles. 

In a true oddity of racing, there were two dead heats for win recorded at Batavia Downs on Friday with Jim Morrill Jr. and trainer JD Perrin involved in both of them.  

Batavia Downs hosted a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR) on Friday night. Donations by many owners, trainers and drivers along with donations from fans attending live racing combined with proceeds from the silent auction to earn a total of more than $13,500, which exceeds last year’s best-ever record. That money will go directly to the BCCR. 

Batavia Downs would like to thank everyone who participated in this great fundraiser for such a worthy cause.  

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Aug. 17) with post time at 6 p.m. This Saturday’s card features a chance for one lucky fan to win a $3,500 diamond bracelet courtesy of TAG Jewelers.

Photo: Merga Hanover with driver Matt Kakaley.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

A total of $107,000 was up for grabs when the New York Sire Stake (NYSS) 2-year-old pacing fillies visited Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 14) and the winners of both divisions put in stellar performances. 

The first $53,000 split  was won by Merga Hanover (American Ideal-Magic Starlight) who took no prisoners in a gate to wire victory. 

Merga Hanover was floated off the gate by driver Matt Kakaley for the first eighth of a mile while the rest of the field set up, then he gunned her to the front and controlled the rest of the mile. After getting to the half in :57.2 with the trailing horses in single file, Cash Roll (Scott Zeron) pulled first up with The Fun Marshall (Billy Davis Jr.) right behind her trying to push the issue.

Merga Hanover continued to set the pace to the three-quarters, around the turn and into the stretch with the competition unable to make up any ground. Kakaley gave his filly her head down the lane and Merga Hanover was quickly on cruise control, pacing away to a handy two-length win in 1:55. 

“I eased her out of the gate because I never drove her before,” said Kakaley. “But I let her pace the last turn and she coasted home. It was all her.”

The win vaulted Merga Hanover into the NYSS points lead for her division, now with 175.

It was the fourth win in only five lifetime starts for Merga Hanover ($6.90) and it pushed her earnings to $86,866 for owners Thomas Dillon, Scott Dillon, Joe Sbrocco and William Donovan. Ron Burke trains the winner.

Merga Hanover was bred by Hanover Shoe Farm.

(Above photo: Movie Town with driver Tyler Buter.)

The second division went for $54,000 and provided a sizable upset for the betting public when Movie Town (American Ideal-New Hollywood) came off the pace and lit up the board at 20-1. 

Racine Bell (Jason Bartlett) left and took the lead before giving it up to Major Battle (Jim Morrill Jr.) past the quarter. The race proceeded to the half without any changes when Turnthefrownaround (Matt Kakaley) and Movie Town (Tyler Buter) both rolled up in the outer flow to start chasing down the front runner. 

Major Battle hit the three-quarters in 1:26.4 with positions remaining the same behind him; that was until the top of the last turn when Movie Town tipped three-deep and started to make her move. Buter fed Movie Town the lines and she was fully engaged, passing the inside horses easily and stretching out to a two-length win in 1:57.

Movie Town ($43.60) scored her second NYSS win of the year for owner Bay Pond Racing and trainer Jeff Stafford.

Winbak Farm bred Movie Town. 

Three divisions of the $15,000 Excel “A” series were also contested on Wednesday with the following results. 

(The first Excel "A" event in the third race was a dead-heat between Alleyesonme As and Sus) 

Alleyesonme As  (Heston Blue Chip-Twincreeks Jewel)

Driver -- Jason Bartlett

Owner -- Anette Lorentzon and Acl Stuteri Ab

Trainer -- Anette Lorentzon

Breeder -- Anette Lorentzon and Acl Stuteri Ab

Time -- 1:58.2

Mutuel -- $2.10

Sus (Art Major-Outtathisworld)

Driver -- Jim Morrill Jr.

Owner -- Yankeeland Partners

Trainer -- Brett Bittle

Breeder - White Birch Farm

Time - 1:58.2

Mutuel -- $8.70

Charm And Grace (American Ideal-Another Hanover)

Driver -- Jim Morrill Jr.

Owner -- John Dwyer

Trainer -- John Mongeon

Breeder -- Kentuckiana Farms and Marvin Katz

Time -- 1:57.2

Mutuel -- $4.20

Hen Party  (Roll With Joe-My Lady Day)

Driver -- Matt Kakaley

Owner -- William Donovan

Trainer -- Ron Burke

Breeder -- Frederick Hertrich III

Time -- 1:55.2

Mutuel -- $4.30

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Aug. 16), which is the first Friday of racing this meet. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs will host the 2-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 14) when the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) return for their fifth of nine 2019 stops and the two divisions that will compete for a combined $107,000 in purses look to be very competitive races. 

The first leg (carded as race four) goes for $53,000 and has Cash Roll (Roll With Joe-Rockonomics) installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite.

Cash Roll has won three of five starts this year, two of which were in NYSS action, and currently sits second in points and fourth in earnings. She took her lifetime mark of 1:56 last month at Yonkers in a gate to wire, 4-¼ length romp in the mud. She has outstanding gate speed and loves to cut the mile and after drawing post one for this race, must have her driver Scott Zeron feeling really good about their chances. 

Merga Hanover (American Ideal-Magic Starlight) has a similar career path to Cash Roll. She also has three wins to her credit, two in the NYSS, is third in earnings and fourth in points and also likes to be on or near the lead. The only variant to her schedule this week is she picks up Matt Kakaley to drive and he knows the Batavia oval very well. Kakaley and Merga Hanover will leave from post six.

If the front end pace between those two gets hectic, The Fun Marshall (So Surreal-Hallmark Hanover) will be close to pick up the pieces. The Fun Marshall didn’t get her year off to as fast a start of her opponents, but she certainly made a statement on July 11. After sitting a garden spot trip, she closed sharply down the lane to score a lifetime best victory of 1:55.4 at Yonkers over a sloppy track. The Fun Marshall starts from post two with Billy Davis Jr. in tow. 

In the second $54,000 division, Racine Bell (So Surreal-Ty’s Artist) brings a stellar resume to post and has been recognized as the favorite by the track handicapper at 5-2 as a result. 

Racine Bell is the top money earner among her peers and is also tied for the top in points. She has three wins in six starts, hasn’t missed the board all year and comes into this race off a career best tying 1:56.1 win at Yonkers. Her regular driver Jason Bartlett will be in town to drive once again and they will start from post seven for this event.

Turnthefrownaround (Roll WIth Joe-Knockout Pout) is the second choice at 3-1 but appears to be a real wild card. Although she has the fastest win time of this group this year from a 1:53.3 victory over the 5/8th’s mile track at Tioga Downs, she has also made two breaks at Monticello and Yonkers which are both half-milers. She will be on a half Wednesday at Batavia and will have to mind her manners to succeed. Matt Kakaley has been assigned the drive and he start that task from post five. 

Major Battle (Art Major-Savhorsrideacowboy) makes her first NYSS start but recent form shows her potential. Although she has exhibited gate speed in her first lifetime start, her last start shows her strong closing ability after she got away eighth by 15-lengths at Mohawk and paced the final five-eighths of a mile parked-out and closing to finish second in 1:53.3. Jim Morrill Jr. picks up the drive and the pair will start from post four. 

There are also three $15,000 divisions of the Excel “A” series on the card. Post time for the first race is 5 p.m.

Photo: Joey Pro with driver Jim Morrill Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Trainer John Hallett left the friendly confines of Tioga Downs with Joey Pro this week in lieu of a visit to Batavia Downs on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 11) but despite the change in venue, they came away with the same result. Joey Pro scored another win, but this time in the top-class $12,500 Open Handicap trotting feature at the oldest lighted harness track in North America. 

Joey Pro (Jim Morrill Jr.) made it quick and simple; he left, took the lead and outlasted the competition. Morrill set quarters of :29, :58.1 and 1:27 with the field pretty much single-file behind him. Going into the last turn, Wheels A Turning (Dave McNeight III) was moving up the outside first-over, two-lengths behind the leader. But he was also trotting up a storm. When the race straightened out down the lane, Wheels A Turning had drawn almost even with Joey Pro and appeared poised to motor right on by, but Joey Pro swelled up and held him off at the wire to win by a nose in 1:56.2 for his third straight victory.

Well on his way to beating his career year of 2018, Joey Pro ($10.80) has now registered eight wins in 2019 and pocketed $41,780 in purses for owner Mark Wamp. 

The $11,000 Open II Handicap trot also went to an outsider after Saratoga Raceway regular Rose Run Speedster (Jim Morrill Jr.) pulled past the half, took control of the race before the three-quarter pole and rebuffed a late bid by Fox Valley Veto (Billy Davis Jr.) to win handily by 1-¼ lengths in 1:57.4. 

Rose Run Speedster ($4.40) is owned by Simzer and Derue and trained by Brett Derue. 

Jim Morrill Jr., Shawn Gray and Billy Davis Jr. all had driving triple on the card; Davis scoring the natural hat trick in the final three races of the day. Trainers Brett Derue, JD Perrin and Steve Kiblin all had two wins apiece.

Live racing resumes Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 14) and the New York Sire Stake 2-year-old pacing fillies will be in town to compete for $107,000 in purses. Post time for the first race is 5 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Saratoga Raceway regular Saulsbrook Deputy shipped into Western New York on Saturday night (Aug. 10) for the first time and immediately laid down the law after winning the $12,500 Open I Handicap pace at Batavia Downs 

Driver John Cummings Jr. took his time placing Saulsbrook Deputy on the lead but cleared by the quarter and opened up a two-length advantage at the point. The pair then proceeded to the half in a pedestrian :58.2 split before Lucan Hanover (Billy Davis Jr.) rolled up on the outside with Iammrbrightside N (Ray Fisher Jr.) on his back to apply some pressure for the second circuit. 

The top three horses maintained their positions to the three-quarters in 1:26.2 and then around the last turn where Saulsbrook Deputy was still two-lengths clear. But Iammrbrightside N tipped three-deep around the stalled Lucan Hanover and was barreling down the middle of the track and closing with every stride. Cummings was urging his horse all the way down the lane and Saulsbrook Deputy responded and stayed game to win in 1:55.1. 

Saulsbrook Deputy ($5.70) scored his fifth win of the year for owner Kevin Quinn and brought his 2019 earnings to $49,491. Paul Zabielski trains the winner. 

In the undercard $11,000 Open II pace, Drunkonaplane (Billy Davis Jr.) scored his second straight win at Batavia Downs after a very strong performance. 

Drunkonaplane had the lead four-steps off the gate and relinquished that spot only momentarily before the quarter when he let Manceiver (Jim Morrill Jr.) clear. But he immediately retook the front and closed out the deal. Davis cut quarters of :56.3 and 1:24.4 before turning for home and holding off 51-1 shot Tullow N (Ray Fisher Jr.). 

Drunkonaplane ($4), who now has six wins this year, is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable Jack Rice and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice is the trainer. 

Several horsemen and one horsewoman had very productive nights at Batavia on Saturday. Billy Davis Jr. and Jim Morrill Jr. both had four winners on the card while trainers Jackie Greene, Paul Zabielski and Maria Rice all sent two winners to the winner’s enclosure. 

Live racing resumes Batavia Downs on today (Aug. 11) Post time for the first race is 1:15 p.m.