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Batavia Downs

NYSS trotters break Batavia track record twice

By Billie Owens

(Above, Bourbon Express with driver Jason Bartlett.)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters invaded Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 7) and they did some damage to the record book by breaking the local mark for their age, gender and gait in two successive series races. 

In the first $52,000 division, Bourbon Express (RC Royalty-Kasha) was sent down the road by driver Jason Bartlett and once gone, the pair never looked back. Operating with a gapped advantage, Bourbon Express went quarters of :28.4, :59.2 and 1:28.2 before rounding the last turn and heading into the stretch with a two-length lead. From there he trotted home a wrapped-up winner by four-lengths in 1:57.3. 

The time was a new lifetime mark for Bourbon Express and also a new Batavia Downs track record for 2-year-old trotting colts. The former mark was 1:58.1 set by Zack’s Zoomer in 2016. 

“This horse is very handy, he doesn’t act like a 2-year-old,” Bartlett said. “He’s a real nice colt.”

It was the third win of the year for Bourbon Express ($5.90) who started 2019 as a winner in Excelsior “A” action. Now he has won two NYSS races. Those victories have earned $78,008 for his owners Salvatore Vullo, James De Armond and Jessica Okusko, who also trains the winner. 

Annette Roydon bred Bourbon Express. 

(Above, Barn Holden with driver Andy Miller.)

Then two races later in the second $51,000 division, Barn Holden (Conway Hall-Barn Babe) and driver Andy Miller seemed to be taking the record-breaking seriously as they were on a mission as soon as the gate released them. Barn Holden was on top by three at the quarter and that margin would only grow as the race progressed. 

After a :28.2 and :57.4 first lap, Barn Holden opened up four lengths by the three-quarters in 1:27.1 and five by the top of the lane. Miller however kept his colt to task and tapped the wheel disk twice in the straight and raised the lines mid-stretch and Barn Holden trotted away to an eight-length win in 1:57.1, eclipsing the mark set less than an hour earlier by Bourbon Bay and becoming the new Batavia standard-bearer. 

“I thought he was the best going in and I wanted the front,” Miller said. “He trotted very handily to the wire.” 

Barn Holden ($2.70) has now won three out of his last four races, all in NYSS action, and has an even $90,000 on the card for his efforts. Steve Pratt, Nancy Pratt, the Purple Haze Stable and the Out In The Country Stable own the top points and money earner in his NYSS division. 

Steve and Nancy Pratt bred Barn Holden. 

Andy Miller had a big day at Batavia winning four races on the card and posting a stout .814 Universal Driver Rating (UDR) for the six races he was in. Those wins included both $15,000 divisions of the Excelsior “A” series and those horses were both trained by the other half of Team Orange Crush, Julie Miller.     

Book Seven (Chapter Seven - Tantalizing Donna) 

Driver -- Andy Miller

Owner -- Stroy Inc.

Trainer -- Julie Miller

Breeder -- Winbak Farm

Time -- 1:59 

Mutuel -- $7

All Profit (Credit Winner -- Bambino Supreme) 

Driver -- Andy Miller

Owner -- Andy Miller Stable and Kapildeo Singh

Trainer -- Julie Miller

Breeder -- Steve Jones

Time -- 2:02 

Mutuel -- $10.20

Jason Bartlett, who just scored his 8,000th driving win this past June, added three more to his total after getting a hat trick on Monday. Like Miller, Bartlett’s percentage for his eight drives was stellar as well, as he ended the evening with a .597 UDR. 

Batavia Downs perennial driving leader Kevin Cummings was involved in a spill before the start of the third race when the horse he was driving fell behind the gate. Cummings was transported to the hospital for further evaluation and no further information is available at this time. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 10) with post time at 6 p.m.

Third Shift, Barn Holden lead NYSS frosh trotters at Batavia

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings will be in Genesee County on Wednesday (Aug. 7) to compete for their share of the $103,000 in total purses available in two divisions to be raced at Batavia Downs. 

Third Shift (Chapter Seven-Overnight Command) and Barn Holden (Conway Hall-Barn Babe) are the top two point-getters and money earners in their age, gait and gender group and will both be on hand for this stop. 

The first division (carded as race five) goes for $52,000 and has Third Shift leading the way. 

Third Shift has two lifetime wins and both were in NYSS action. He finished second in the other start after a break that set him back at Yonkers. And he just took a lifetime mark of 1:54.4 at Vernon Downs last week in a come-from-behind performance that has him coming into this race perfectly spotted. 

Trainer Ake Svanstedt will drive Third Shift from post two at 5-2 morning line.

His main threat in the race looks to be Bourbon Express (RC Royalty-Kasha) who cut the mile and finished third behind Third Shift at Vernon last week. He drew post one and will have the chance to cut the mile again and hope to hang on this week. 

Bourbon Express has Jason Bartlett aboard at 2-1 for trainer Jessica Okusko. 

The second leg (carded as race seven) has a purse of $51,000 with Barn Holden spotted as the morning line even-money favorite. 

Barn Holden also has two wins this year and is also coming in off a new lifetime mark at Vernon. Barn Holden led the entire mile and trotted away down the stretch to win by four and a half lengths in 1:55.3. His other win this year was also on the front end and it looks like that may be the strategy here with the short five-horse field. 

Batavia regular Kevin Cummings drove to Vernon to steer Barn Holden last week; Wednesday trainer Steve Pratt will bring the colt to Batavia for Cummings and last week’s winning combination have drawn post two for this event. 

Berkery J (Chapter Seven-Southwind Catlin) will look to stand in the way of another Barn Holden win and has shown he has the ability to do so. He threw a huge mile at Yonkers three starts ago, winning in 1:58.2 by over seven lengths to take his lifetime mark. That’s faster than any horse in this race over a half-mile track. He has gate speed and with a trip, could be dangerous.

Trainer George Ducharme has assigned Jason Bartlett to drive Berkery J once again the they will leave from post four at 2-1. 

There are also two divisions of the $15,000 Excelsior “A” series trots that will go in races two and four. Post time for the first race is 5 p.m. 

Hickfromfrenchlick equals Batavia mark in NYSS action

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Hickfromfrenchlick came to play on Sunday (Aug. 4) in his $58,700 division of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Batavia Downs and he went gate to wire in impressive fashion and equaled the track record time. 

Leaving from post one driver Matt Kakaley was rolling immediately with Hickfromfrenchlick (So Surreal-My Girl’s A Star) and had prohibitive post time favorite Shake That House (Tyler Buter) alongside, also trying to make the front. These two tangled to the quarter in :26.2 when Buter relented and ducked into the pocket heading into the second turn. With no pressure moving to the half Kakaley backed it down to :28.3, but as soon as the second circuit ensued, Shake That House pulled and came right back at the leader one more time. 

Hickfromfrenchlick and Shake That House squared off and were pacing in tandem from the five-eighths to the three-quarters and got there in a lightning 1:22.4. Around the final bend Hickfromfrenchlick got a 1/2 length advantage that he took into the stretch. Kakaley was throwing lines and his horse was responded with more. Hickfromfrenchlick put away Shake That House and held of a quick closing Buddy Hill (Marcus Miller) to win by a neck in 1:51.2. 

The winning time of 1:51.2 was a new lifetime mark for Hickfromfrenchlick and also tied the Batavia Downs track record for 3-year-old pacing colts set by All Bets Off back in 2014. Oddly enough Kakaley also drove All Bets Off in that record performance. 

“Well we had the rail and he’s good on the front so that’s where I wanted him, especially with no passing lane here. We controlled the pace and he responded well to the challenge,” said Kakaley. “He was getting a little tired in the lane but he saw the one (Buddy Hill) coming at him and had enough left to hold him off at the wire.”  

When told he tied the track record of All Bets Off Kakaley said “As I recall we were on the front that day too and he had quite a bit left at the wire.”

All Bets Off ran away with that race by eight lengths. 

Hickfromfrenchlick ($6.50) scored his fourth win in seven starts this year and now has $114,925 on the card in 2019. Ray Schnittker trains and co-owns Hickfromfrenchlick with Nolamaura Racing and Thomas Spatorico. 

Steve Jones was the breeder of Hickfromfrenchlick. 

In the second $58,700 division American Mercury was peerless in victory after controlling all fractions from the start. 

Tyler Buter floated American Mercury (American Ideal-Tessa Hanover) off the gate after Artie’s Ideal (Marcus Miller) bolted to the front. He then rolled up the outside and took over the lead in a comfortable :28.1. The field stayed in single-file and American Mercury hit the half in only :57 and things were looking very much in his favor at that point. 

Magic Joe Lindy (Drew Monti) pulled first up at the five-eighths and advanced towards the leader. He got to within one length of American Mercury at the three-quarters and stayed there around the last turn. When they hit the stretch Buter was line driving American Mercury and he was pacing strongly all the way to the wire to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:52.2.

It was the third straight win for American Mercury ($2.10) and sixth of the season. The gelding has now earned $211,843 this year for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Northfork Racing Stable, Chuck Pompey and Scott Bice. 

Steve Stewart, Julie Nash and Charles Nash bred American Mercury. 

There were also $15,000 divisions of the Excelsior “A” series that were won by:

Rickybobbyandthehaus (American Ideal-Molly Can Do It)

Driver -- Tyler Buter

Owner -- Crawford Farms, Northfork Racing Stable, Billy Timmins and Anthony Timmins

Trainer -- Chris Oakes

Breeder -- Blue Chip Bloodstock

Time -- 1:53.4 

Mutuel -- $4.40

Chatelroll (Roll With Joe-Chatelaine) 

Driver -- Jason Bartlett 

Owner -- Purple Haze Stable

Trainer -- George Ducharme

Breeder -- Twinbrook Limited

Time -- 1:53.2 

Mutuel -- $3

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Aug. 5) with post time at 5 p.m.

Hudson Phil convincing in Batavia Open pace

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Saratoga Raceway regular Hudson Phil traveled four hours west on the I-90 for his first-ever start at Batavia Downs and the trip was worth his while. He won the $12,500 Open Handicap pace in gate to wire fashion at the Downs on Saturday night (Aug. 3). 

Hudson Phil (Jim Morrill Jr.) flew off the wings and took command with Lucan Hanover (Billy Davis Jr.) drafting close behind. After going to the quarter in :27.2, Morrill grabbed leather and backed the second panel off to a meager :29 as the rest of the field finally caught up. As they started on the second circuit Upfront Countryboy (Drew Monti) pulled first up on the outside to pass the gapped Adonis Bay (John Cummings Jr.) and then dropped back into third to save ground. 

The race moved into the last turn and Monti pulled Upfront Countryboy out again and aggressively started driving him as they headed into the stretch. Hudson Phil was still in command but Upfront Countryboy was closing with every step. Lucan Hanover, who had been following the leader the entire mile, was now full of pace but had nowhere to go and was locked on the pylons. Hudson Phil stayed strong on the point and held off all challenges to win by a neck in 1:53.3. 

Hudson Phil ($2.30) has now earned $86,832 for owner Kellogg Racing Stables on the strength of his eight 2019 wins. Jackie Greene trains the 4-year-old son of Shanghai Phil-Hazel. 

The $11,000 Open II was a very entertaining race. Cultural Paradise (Kyle Cummings) was cruising along smartly on the lead at the half in a moderate split of :56.1, before taking the race to the head of the stretch looking like a winner. But Iammbrightside N (Dave McNeight Jr.), who had been drafting on the outside for a half mile, pulled three-wide at the three-quarters and was under a full head of steam. Cultural Paradise and Iammbrightside N battled side by side all the way to the wire where Iammbrightside N got the advantage by a neck in 1:53.3. 

It was the 33rd lifetime win for Iammbrightside N ($12.20) who is owned by Mirussa Russo and trained by Dave Russo. 

Several horsemen had multiple winners on Saturday night. Jim Morrill Jr., Dave McNeight III and Billy Davis Jr. all had three winners on the evening while trainer Dave Russo also sent two horses to the Purple Haze winner’s circle. 

The New York Sire Stakes glamour division; the 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings will invade Batavia Downs on today (Aug. 4) when live racing resumes to vie for $117,400 in total purses. Post time for the first race is 1:15 p.m.

Video: Tanya Tucker at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens
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Akron native Oakes trainees favored in $117,400 NYSS at Batavia Downs Sunday

By Billie Owens

(Above: #4 -- Shake That House with driver Brian Sears. Photo by Fotowon.)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

It will be a homecoming of sorts for Akron, New York, native Chris Oakes when he brings two powerful members of his now Wilkes-Barre, Pa., based stable to Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 4) to compete in two divisions of the New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) for purses totaling $117,400. 

In the first $58,700 division (carded as race one) Oakes will start Shake That House (American Ideal-Shake That Junk) as the morning line 6-5 favorite. 

Shake That House only has two starts in the NYSS this year and both were wins, but he has also been competing successfully on the Grand Circuit. 

After drawing the outside at Mohawk Park in an elimination of the North American Cup, Shake That House got parked for most of the mile and did not qualify for the final. 

But the resilient colt bounced back to win his next start which was an elimination of the Max C. Hempt stake at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. After taking the lead past the half, Shake That House led the rest of the way and won in 1:49, which was a lifetime mark. The following week in the $500,000 final he left from post seven, went right to the front and won handily in 1:49.2. 

Then in his most recent start, Shake That House was in a NYSS event at Vernon Downs and sat third to the half before pulling to take the lead before the three-quarters and then paced away from the field in 1:47.4 which was another new lifetime mark for him and also a new track record at Vernon for 3-year-old pacing colts. 

For the year Shake That House has six wins in seven starts and has earned $336,400 to date. 

Tyler Buter will be in the bike behind Shake That House on Sunday and will start from post five. Also, Shake That House will be coupled in a stable entry with Buddy Hill (Roll With Joe-Lessofit Hanover) for betting purposes. 

Hickfromfrenchlick (So Surreal-My Girl’s A Star) and Major March (Art Major-March You And Me) who finished second and third in that track record mile at Vernon are also in this division starting from post one with Matt Kakaley and post two with Jason Bartlett respectively.

(Above, #6 -- American Mercury with Tyler Buter. Photo by Fotowon​.)

The second $58,700 split (carded as race six) finds another Oakes trainee, American Mercury (American Ideal-Tessa Hanover), the prohibitive morning line choice at 4-5. 

American Mercury has raced exclusively in NYSS races this year and has won four of the six he entered, finishing second and third in the other two. He started the year racing from off the pace but has since found as much success on the front end. 

He took a new lifetime mark at Yonkers in June winning easily in 1:50.3 over the half-mile strip and it set a track record for 3-year-old pacing geldings and also tied the all-age seasons mark at the Hilltop. 

In his next start at Vernon Downs American Mercury lowered his personal best again, touring the facility in 1:49.4 and winning by two lengths. 

American Mercury has five wins in seven starts this year and has bankrolled $182,493 as a result. 

Tyler Buter gets the call on American Mercury as well and drawing post two off the gate. 

Magic Joe Lindy (American Ideal-Lindy’s Bandita) who finished third to American Mercury in that sub-1:50 mile at Vernon should be his main competitor here and starts from post five with Drew Monti up.   

The track record for the 3-year-old pacing male division at Batavian a Downs is 1:51.2 and that mark is serious jeopardy with perfect weather being forecast for Sunday. 

Also at Batavia Downs for the matinee card is Dollar Sundays which continues this week. Sahlen’s Hot Dogs, draft beer and sodas are only $1 each from noon until the last race at the Homestretch Grille. 

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

Clouser, Morrill sweep distaff features at Batavia

By Billie Owens

Above, Miss Mary Mach and driver Jim Morrill Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

It was a total team effort in the top tier races at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 31) as horses trained by Jim Clouser Jr., driven by Jim Morrill Jr. and owned by Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi won both fillies and mares Opens in coast to coast fashion.  

It’s been nine weeks since Miss Mary Mach cut the mile in a race, but it finally happened again and produced the same result. Miss Mary Mach beat the best mares on the grounds in the $12,500 distaff Open Handicap. 

Leaving from post one Miss Mary Mach seated the field and Morrill set a pace that was comfortable for his mare. They went to the quarter in :27.2 and the half in :56.3 where Heaven’s Diva (Kyle Cummings) drew near the leader and made it interesting to three-quarters in 1:24.4. But shortly after that station Miss Mary Mach dug in, put away the competition around the last turn and paced away down the lane to win handily in 1:53.1.

The time was a new seasonal mark and just 1/5th of a second of her lifetime mark. 

It was the ninth win in 25 starts this year for Miss Mary Mach ($3.60) who now has earned $65,262 in 2019.

(Above, Blue Bell Bonnie and driver Jim Morrill Jr.)

Then in the $11,000 fillies and mares Open II pace, the second half of Clouser’s alliteration entry was Blue Bell Bonnie who also left from post one and dictated the pace. 

Morrill found himself on the point with Blue Bell Bonnie before the turn and with no one mounting a challenge to the half, the leader backed it off to a very pedestrian :59.2 first half. Finally Mach’s Echo (Drew Monti) rolled up the rim and got close to the front runner at the five-eighths pole and forced a :28.2 third split. But Morrill leaned back and raised the lines a bit and the mare did the rest herself. Blue Bell Bonnie paced away with no urging down the lane to win by a length in 1:56. 

Blue Bell Bonnie ($3.60) scored her fourth win of the year in Wednesday's effort. 

Both Morrill and Clouser picked up one additional win during the card giving them each three to lead their respective categories for the night. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 3) with post time at 6 p.m.  

Batavia Downs partners with Daily Racing Form for $1.8 million NY Sire Stakes Night of Champions in September

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs is pleased to announce they are partnering with the Daily Racing Form (DRF) to enhance and expand their coverage of the $1.8 million New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) Night of Champions (NOC) that will be held at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Sept. 14.

“We are very excited to be working with DRF on this biggest night of racing in the state,” said Todd Haight, director/general manager of Live Racing at Batavia Downs. “I think this is a great opportunity for our track to partner with a world-class name in horse racing and given the extent of their outreach and fan base, will be beneficial for Batavia Downs beyond the NOC.”

DRF will broadcast the entire night of racing live on their website, provide video analysis of races prior to the night and also provide content in their newsletters and on their website.

“I think it’s really important to provide the live video of the races for owners and breeders that can’t get out to Batavia that night to see their horses in person," said Derick Giwner of DRF. "Some might not have an ADW or subscribe to some kind of service and this will give them the chance to watch all the action live.”

“We will be producing a video analysis of some of the featured betting races or guaranteed pools, depending on what the card offers that night. The video will be available on the DRF Harness website starting the Thursday afternoon before the big night.”

DRF will also provide a Spotlight Newsletter that will be sent out to all their core subscribers, be promoting the NOC on their website, social media and in their newsletters, provide a dedicated landing page at DRF.com on both the Thoroughbred and Harness sites, free downloadable Past Performances for the night and will also be tweeting out comments and results live the entire night of the races.

“The idea is to get more eyes on these races," Giwner said. "The people in the industry know when the NYSS NOC is and that it’s at Batavia, but the general gambler out there, who might never play Batavia, may have no idea. We want to drive this traffic to Batavia that night.

"The New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions is the pinnacle of racing in New York each year and DRF is excited to work together with Batavia Downs to make it a success.”

Haight has similar views on the importance of a quality, information-filled program for that night, which has a post time of 6 p.m.

"We always have the desire to draw new customers to Batavia's racing product and everything DRF brings to the table in this partnership is going to help accomplish that," Haight said. "And the ability to get free past performances in the hands of the vast base of subscribers that DRF has could be potentially a big handle driver for us."

The New York Sire Stakes is the state's premier harness racing program designed to promote the breeding, buying and racing of standardbred horses in New York.

Veterans Resources RV to be at Batavia Downs for Tanya Tucker concert

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Representatives from Batavia Downs have announced that Michele Ladd, the founder of National Veteran Resources, will be bringing their 32-foot wrapped RV to the Tanya Tucker Concert this Friday, Aug. 2nd, at Batavia Downs.

The National Veteran Resources website aims to help veterans and first responders get resources for PTSD, suicide prevention, and addiction.

"I wanted to do something for our veterans and first responders that make the ultimate sacrifice for us, so I decided to get 'Boots on The Ground' and try to save lives," Ladd said. "I call this 'Operation 22 to ZERO' based on the fact that 22 veterans a day are dying by suicide."

Ladd said her motivation is her two sons, who are veterans. She has their pictures, along with other military men and women printed on her RV.

During her stops, Ladd meets different veterans and first responders and interviews them on camera. She then posts the videos online, hoping it can help someone else. Ladd also visits organizations across the country to add them to the website for resources.

"It’s real, I don’t edit, it’s raw, we laugh, we cry," Ladd said. "Just in three weeks, I’ve had over 100 family members, widows, veterans, reaching out to me, sharing their stories."

Ladd said she has traveled more than 35,000 miles to raise awareness and will continue her travels as long as the good Lord allows her.

"We are pleased to welcome Michelle to be present at Friday’s concert," said Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO at Batavia Downs Gaming. "As a veteran myself, I appreciate people who take the time to reach out and help those who have served our country.”

Doors for the Tanya Tucker concert are at 4:30 p.m., with live music, starting at 5.  All VIP and Premium tickets are sold out, but $10 General Admission tickets are available at BataviaConcerts.com or in person at the Lucky Treasures gift shop.

Batavia Downs posts impressive opening week numbers

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The first week of live racing at Batavia Downs produced some very impressive numbers for betting and attendance, showing a dramatic spike over last year. 

After the last race on Sunday was over the track had realized: a 27-percent increase of on-track handle; a 6.8-percent increase on export betting; WROTB handle up a total of 12 percent; total betting up 11 percent; and attendance up 16 percent.

“Where we are very pleased with all of our handle numbers, the most impressive stat might be the attendance,” said Todd Haight, director/general manager of Live Racing at Batavia Downs. 

“Our opening night crowd was unbelievable and that carried over into the weekend. We had the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) and some really nice weather which helped, but there is a definite buzz about our championship meet in the area this year.”

The Batavia Downs summer/fall meet continues on Wednesday (July 31) with post time at 5 p.m. The highlight of this year’s racing session is the $1.8 million NYSS Night of Champions that will be held at the Downs on Saturday (Sept. 14).

Groovy Joe remains undefeated in NYSS at Batavia

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

As three $34,866 divisions of 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings went postward in the New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) at Batavia Downs on Sunday (July 28) with Groovy Joe putting in the fastest performance of the day allowing him to remain undefeated.

Sandy’s Bolt (Jim Morrill Jr.) started from post one and led the majority of the race with Groovy Joe (Matt Kakaley) (above) sitting in the garden spot. Morrill set quarters of :28.1, :58.1 and 1:26.3 and took his  lead into the stretch. But Groovy Joe (Roll With Joe-Chotat Milk) popped the pocket and went right by Sandy’s Bolt and then held off a late charging American Rebel (Tyler Buter) at the wire to win by a neck in 1:55, which was a new lifetime mark. 

It was the fifth straight win for Groovy Joe ($3.10), all in NYSS action, and it took him to $96,795 for the year. Hutt Racing and Blake McIntosh own the colt with MacIntosh also doing the training. 

Winbak Farm bred Groovy Joe. 

The other two divisions ended up being the Ray Schnittker Show as they were both won by his trainees in career best outings. 

First, Cigars And Port (above) (So Surreal-Sweet On Art) grabbed the lead before the half and put in a strong effort from there. After getting to three-quarters in front by 1-½, Cigars And Port turned for home and opened up even more, eventually winning by three in 1:55.3, which was a new lifetime mark. 

Schnittker drove Cigars And Port ($7.50) and owns in conjunction with Nolamaura Racing, Ted Gewertz and Steve Arnold.

Steve Jones bred the Cigars And Port.

In the last division Teton Sunset (above) (American Ideal-Gray Ghost) sat a perfect trip behind Oreo Dream Xtreme (Jason Bartlett) who cut the mile and Level Up (Jim Morrill Jr.) who pushed the pace from outside from the half before finding racing room in the stretch to pull away from both of them and win by a 3-½ length margin in 1:57.1, The time was also a new lifetime mark. 

Teton Sunset ($7.40) was driven by Tyler Buter for trainer/owner Schnittker and his partners David Pepin and Flintlock Farms.

The ownership trio bred the winner. 

There were also three divisions of the $15,000 Excelsior “A” series on the card that were won by:

Sunsetboozecruise (Roll With Joe -- Rideintothesunset) 

Driver -- Jim Morrill Jr.

Owner -- Matthew Dugan

Trainer -- Erv Miller

Breeder -- Kentuckiana Farms

Time -- 1:57.4 

Mutuel -- $2.10

I Rolled The Dice (Roll With Joe-Keystone Ivy)

Driver -- Jim Morrill Jr.

Owner -- Howard Taylor

Trainer -- Erv Miller

Breeder -- Howard Taylor

Time -- 1:57.1

Mutuel -- $8.90

Breakout Session (Heston Blue Chip-Troubled Escape) 

Driver-Scott Zeron

Owner-Bay Pond Racing Stable

Trainer-Linda Toscano

Breeder-Winbak Farms

Time-1:58.1

Mutuel-$14.20

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs today (July 29) with post time at 5 p.m.

Black Is Back wires Batavia’s best in feature win

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, For Batavia Downs

A craftily rated second quarter provided success at the end of the mile for Black Is Back who went gate to wire in the $12,500 Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday evening (July 27). 

Dave McNeight III sent Black Is Back to the point off the gate and took the six-horse field to the quarter in :28. He then grabbed leather and backed the second panel off to :29.3 and essentially won the race as a result. 

Mac’s Jackpot (Drew Monti), who became forwardly placed third from post six at the start, pulled first-over at the half and proceeded with urgency toward the leader on the backstretch. He continued to gain ground on Black Is Back and got to within a half-length of him in the last turn. But that was as close as he would get as McNeight shook the lines and Black Is Back accelerated into the stretch and pulled away by 1-1/2 lengths at the wire in 1:53.3.

A former Saratoga regular, Black Is Back ($12.80) now feels at home in Western New York after scoring his first win at Batavia and sixth win of the year for owners Curtis Edholm and Mihajlo Zdjelar Sr.. Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr. trains the winner. 

In the co-featured $11,000 Open II, Upfront Countryboy (Drew Monti) took the lead from Iammrbrightside N (Jim Morrill Jr.) before the quarter and then hit that station in :28 flat. From there he proceeded unchallenged to the half in :57.2 and three-quarters in 1:25.1 before turning for home and pacing to the wire under minimal urging to win in by two in 1:53.3. 

It was the 59th lifetime win for Upfront Countryboy ($2.40) and it pushed his career earnings over the half-million dollar mark to $505,145. WIlliam Emmons owns the esteemed 10-year-old gelded son of Dragon Again-Cambloid that is trained by Jim Clouser Jr.

Drew Monti won a total of three races on the card to lead all drivers on Saturday. Kevin Cummings, Shawn McDonough and Jim McNeight Jr. all had two wins apiece. Jim Clouser Jr. also had a double to lead all trainers for the night. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday (July 28) with post time at 1:15 p.m, Three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings will compete for a total purse of $104,598 during the afternoon.

NYSS freshmen pacers at Batavia Downs Sunday

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

A total of $104,598 in purses will be up for grabs at Batavia Downs on Sunday (July 29) when the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) rolls into town for the second of nine 2019 stops at the oldest lighted race track in America. 

This leg will feature the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers who will vie in three $34,866 divisions carded as race three, five and seven. 

In the third race the undefeated Groovy Joe (Roll With Joe-Chotat Milk) puts his four-race win streak on the line against a truly loaded field. 

Groovy Joe had been having his way with the competition and posted a lifetime mark of 1:54.3 at Buffalo. However last week although he still won, it was in a dead heat at Saratoga with American Rebel with Freedom Warrior just a half length behind in third. But he gets another start on a half, which he obviously handles well, and catches a short field, too. 

Matt Kakaley is driving again for trainer Blake MacIntosh and will leave from post five at 9-5.

It would seem his closest competitor will be the horse he dead-heated with last week, American Rebel (American Ideal-Restive Hanover). 

After winning an elimination of the L. B. Sheppard at Yonkers on July 6, American Rebel finished a close fifth in the $120,250 final and then posted a lifetime best at Saratoga of 1:55 the following week (in the dead heat with Groovy Joe). This one is certainly in top form and will look to make some noise here. 

American Rebel will be driven by Tyler Buter from post three for trainer Rob Harmon. 

The fifth race has Ray Schnittker’s Cigars And Port (So Surreal-Sweet On Art) listed as the morning line choice at 2-1. 

After winning his first lifetime start in 1:56.3 in a NYSS event at Yonkers, Cigars And Port got parked half the mile the following week and finished fifth. In his last start he tripped-out behind Hurrikanekingjames but couldn’t catch him in the lane. 

Schnittker will be in the bike this week and leaves from post five. 

Roll With JR (Roll With Joe-No One Is Alone) is winless in the NYSS this year but did just post a solid 1:54.3 career best effort in an overnight event at Harrah’s Philadelphia in his last start. Now back in the series, he looks like he’s ready to move forward. 

Kevin Cummings drives for trainer Jeff Cullipher and is 3-1 early line. 

Hurrikanekingjames (So Surreal-Luxury Goods) looked much the best going gate to wire at Saratoga in 1:55.1, beating Cigars And Port by 2-1/2 lengths. That was from post one; he drew post six here. 

Daniel Dube drives for trainer John Mc Dermott. 

The third division in race seven is a very close event. Oreo Dream Xtreme (American Ideal-Spotlight On) is the 2-1 choice and is one of only two horses in the race with a win. He got that in NYSS action at Buffalo and hasn’t missed a check in the series yet. 

Level Up (Art Major-Apogee Hanover) got away poorly at Saratoga last week but rallied well to close sharply, just running out of stretch to finish second. He did not draw inside but it is a short field. 

Jason Bartlett drives Oreo Dream Xtreme from post three for trainer John Butenschoen and Jim Morrill Jr. drives Level Up for trainer Ed Hart from post five. 

There are also three $15,000 divisions of the Excelsior “A” series that are carded as races one, six and eight. Post time for the first race is 1:15 p.m.

Batavia Downs wins industry marketing awards for promotions

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Representatives from Batavia Downs are pleased to announce they have received two Romero trophies during the closing ceremonies of the Casino Marketing and Technology Conference in Las Vegas.

The Romero Awards honor excellence in gaming marketing and are named for gaming marketing pioneer John Romero. Awards are given in two size categories (above or below 1000 gaming positions) in several different marketing categories. The winners are selected by an independent panel of expert judges.

Lindsay Matikosh, Batavia Downs’ Promotions Manager, was on hand to receive the trophies as they were awarded.

A Gold Trophy was received for Batavia's Fall Ball Promotion. An Honorable Mention trophy was won by the company’s “Best Seat in the House” promotion, whereby texters into the Batavia Downs Text Club could find themselves sitting on the Max Pies Furniture couch for a concert at last year’s summer concert series.

Batavia Downs’ host supervisor, Mikala Phillips, was part of a group that won the Team Challenge Championship. As part of a five-person team, she and her teammates were presented with a problem that they needed to solve by working together in just a matter of hours. They then presented their solution to a panel of judges with over one hundred people in the audience.

"Everyone at our facility shares in these awards," said Ryan Hasenauer, director of Marketing at Batavia Downs Gaming. "All departments were involved in either the creation, promotion or the execution of our events.

"The trophies will be added to our display case near Player's Club for all to see. We are also proud of Mikala for winning an individual award. Staff is looking forward to her sharing all she learned at the conference with us."

Love A Good Story remains unbeaten in NYSS at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old trotting fillies visited Batavia Downs on opening night to vie for a total of $106,000 in total purses.

In the first division Love A Good Story (Chapter Seven-Celebrity Lovin) (top photo) stayed perfect lifetime after she scored her fourth consecutive win, all in NYSS action.

Driver Andy Miller floated Love A Good Story off the gate and got to the front before the quarter in at quick :28.4. From there she trotted along on her own terms, setting stops at the next two stations at :58.2 and 1:30.1. Moving around the last turn Miss Jubilation (Ake Svanstedt) and Munster (Jordan Stratton) moved close to the leader and appeared to have a shot to catch her. But Love A Good Story found another gear and trotted away under a line drive from Miller and won easily by four lengths in 1:59.2.

Love A Good Story ($2.50) has now earned $79,100 for the season for owners Pinske Staale and the Kentuckiana Racing Stable. Julie Miller does the training. Celebrity Farms was the breeder.

The second split of the night saw Seventimesalady (Chapter Seven-Ava Marion) (above photo) draw off to a convincing first lifetime win.

Really Blue Chip (Anthony McDonald) took the lead from the pylon starting Seventimesalady (Ake Svanstedt) and opened up a two length gap on the field at the quarter in :29.3. Svanstedt followed that cover to the half but then pulled off the clubhouse turn and motored his way to the front up the backside, clearing past three-quarters. From there the filly left her competition behind, pulling away down the lane and winning by almost five lengths in 1:59,3, which was a new lifetime mark. 

Seventimesalady ($3.20) is owned by Ake Svanstedt, Little E and Knuttson Trotting. Svanstedt trains the winner. Little E bred the winner.

There were also three divisions of the $15,000 Excelsior “A” series on the card that were won by:

Nasty Gal (Conway Hall-Dreama Littledream)

Owner -- Deborah Brunet and Patricia Crawford

Trainer -- Gates Brunet

Breeder -- Joseph Brunet and Patricia Crawford

Time -- 2:00.4 

Mutuel -- $14.80

 

Starrystarrynight (Conway Hall-Makes Me Crazy)

Owner -- W. J. Donovan

Trainer -- George Ducharme

Breeder -- David Hanson

Time -- 2:02.2

Mutuel -- $19

 

Smooth Affair (Conway Hall-Identity Theft)

Owner -- Northfork Racing Stable

Trainer -- Chris Oakes

Breeder -- Morrisville College Foundation

Time -- 2:03.4 

Mutuel -- $2.70

 

Tyler Buter and Scott Zeron led all driver for wins on the night, each scoring a Hat Trick on the 11-race card.

There will be a $2,500 guaranteed pool in the Pick-5 on Saturday night, which is when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.

(Photos courtesy of Paul White.)

NYSS first year fillies trot into Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs will celebrate their opening night of the 2019 live racing season on Wednesday (July 24) by welcoming the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) as they make their first of nine stops at the Genesee County oval this year. The initial visit will bring two divisions of 2-year-old trotting fillies along who will compete for identical $53,000 purses. 

The first split that's carded as race five features the undefeated Love A Good Story (Chapter Seven-Celebrity Lovin) who is listed as the 6-5 morning choice from post six for Team Orange Crush: Andy and Julie Miller.

This filly has already taken a lifetime mark of 1:55.1 at Tioga Downs in her second career start and has won all three of all her races by open lengths. She is the top pointgetter in her bracket and has $52,600 made this year. Love A Good Story will look to add the winners share of this race to her total as well. 

Per Engblom’s Munster (Chapter Seven-Richesse Oblige) is coming off a sparkling effort of her own at Yonkers where she went gate to wire in a career best 1:57.4. That was her first time on a half mile track and the result bodes well for her prospects at the Downs. Jordan Stratton will be at the controls from post two at 2-1.

The second division in race six has a pair or performers from from the Ake Svandstedt Stable that were made morning line choice at 2-1 by the track handicapper, as a stable entry. 

Seventimesalady (Chapter Seven-Ava Marion) and Destiny Blue Chip (Chapter Seven-Chasin Clouds Away) will leave from post one and post seven respectively.

Seventimesalady is winless in two starts but not for lack of performance. She chased Love A Good Story in a fast 1:55.1 at Tioga to finish second in her first lifetime start and then got parked out for a majority of the mile from post seven at Yonkers last week before finishing third. She will be looking to get a good trip from the pylons with her trainer Svandstedt in the bike. 

Destiny Blue Chip is also winless in two starts but has put in two solid races trotting close to the leaders, garnering a couple of thirds for her work. Unfortunately she moves out in post from those starts but does pick up driver Jim Morrill Jr. this week who will be an asset to her as he knows the track at Batavia well.  

Another ready candidate is Really Blue Chip (Credit Winner-Muscles Secret) who has shown she likes a half -mile track. She sat a pocket trip behind Hypnotic AM at Yonkers last week and finished second in a 1:56.1 time, trotting her mile in 1:57.2. And she does have a win in the NYSS already this in her first lifetime start at Buffalo. She is in a perfect spot here to take that next step for trainer Scott Di Domenico. Really Blue Chip leaves from post five for driver Jordan Stratton.  

There are also three $15,000 divisions of the Excelsior “A” series in races three, four and seven and two $6,700 Excelsior “B” series events in races eight and nine. 

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

Batavia Downs Championship season starts Wednesday

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The 73rd season of live harness racing at Batavia Downs gets underway on Wednesday (July 24), runs through Saturday (Dec. 14) and features the $1.8 million New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) Night of Champions, which will be the richest card of racing ever presented in Western New York.

Opening night post time is 6 p.m.

During the 65-day season, live racing will take place on: Wednesdays at 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday evenings at 6 p.m.; and Sunday afternoons at 1:15 p.m. (Sundays through August only).

There will also be racing on Monday on four occasions during the meet including July 29 (5 p.m.), Aug. 5 (5 p.m.), Labor Day Sept. 2 (1:15 p.m.) and Columbus Day Oct. 14 (1:15 p.m.). And please note a special 3:15 p.m. post on Saturday (Nov. 2) for Breeders Cup Day.

The racing product will be as good as it gets in both stake and overnight action led by eight divisions of the NYSS that will visit the Downs on Wednesday (July 24), Sunday (July 28), Sunday (Aug. 4), Wednesday (Aug. 7), Wednesday (Aug, 14), Tuesday (Aug. 23), Wednesday (Aug. 24) and Sunday (Aug. 28).

And the NYSS Night of Champions will be contested on Saturday (Sept. 14). That night will also mark the return of Batavia Downs signature stake the $50,000 Robert J. Kane Invitational pace.

The overnight action is sure to draw the best horses available with the announced 10-percent purse increase across the board. With that in place the Open I events on both gaits (with a minimum of six starters) will compete for $12,500, Open II for $11,000 and Open III for $10,000.

Claiming races will be positively affected as well and at all levels. For example, a $25,000 claimer will go for a $11,000 purse, a $10,000 claimer will go for $8,500 and a $4,500 claimer will go for $4,900.

As a result, Batavia Downs will pay out more than $8 million in purse money during the 65-day meeting.

Last year’s leading driver Drew Monti will be back to defend his titles against the likes of Kevin Cummings, Billy Davis Jr., Ray Fisher Jr. and Shawn McDonough. The Downs top trainer JD Perrin will also return to try and repeat against last year’s leaders that include James Clouser Jr., Ryan Swift, Gerry Sarama and John Mungillo.

All participating horsemen will find the track has been completely resurfaced with newly banked turns, proper stretch grading and all new surface material. This should ensure a lightning-fast and safe track that and produce fast miles and strong competition.

There have been some changes made to the betting menu this year with the addition of a late Pick-3 (on a minimum 10-race card) and a late Pick-4 (on a minimum nine-race card) giving fans two chances to play this popular wager each night.

Also starting after Labor Day there will be a guaranteed Pick-5 pool offered on Wednesday in conjunction with the United States Trotting Association’s (USTA) Strategic Wagering Program. This will include free downloadable program pages available for each of those nights.

Betting minimums for each wager include $2 Win/Place/Show, $1 Daily Double and Exacta, 50-cent Trifecta, Pick-3, Pick-4 and Pick-5 and 20-cent Superfectas.

The Downs very popular Clubhouse group dining packages (minimum of 10 people) will return offering delicious buffet options, free programs, Free Play on the gaming floor and new this year, a free $2 bet for each attending member of a group.

For availability and pricing check our website at www.bataviadownsgaming.com or call Mary Bucceri at 585.344.6144.

Fans attending the track will again find a robust slate of promotions throughout the year. A total of 30 food, betting and prize promotions dot the 65-day schedule with something to interest everyone.

Opening night features free programs (while supplies last) to everyone attending the track.

Dollar Sundays run from July 28 to Aug. 25 and feature hot dogs, draft beer and soda for only $1 from noon until the last race.

Saturday (Aug. 10) is Batavia Downs Gaming Hotel Night where 10 one-night stays at the beautiful Hotel at the Downs will be given away to eligible Players Club members who enter the drawing.

Saturday (Aug. 17) is TAG Jewelry Night and a $3,500 (retail) diamond bracelet will be given away to eligible Players Club members who enter the drawing.

Saturday (Aug. 24) is Artemis Spa Night. Ten $100 spa gift certificates will be given away to eligible Players Club members who enter the drawing.

Sunday (Aug. 25) is Family Fun Day and the famous Wiener Dog Races. This is always the most attended day at the track and features the 15th annual Dachshund Dash wiener dog races sponsored by Genesee Feeds of Batavia. Ten elimination races with eight dogs in each will come down to one final to crown this year’s champion.

Other events that day include free pony rides, face painting, sand art, snow cones and appearances by Pringles the Clown, Jason the Juggler, Johnathan the Magician and Mr. Scribbles.

Monday (Sept. 2) is the annual Labor Day Driver’s Bike Race. Eight of our top drivers compete on bicycles for a quarter mile and then those bicycles are randomly given away by drawing to fans who selected the winning driver.

Saturday (Sept. 14) is the $1.8 million NYSS Night of Champions and the $50,000 Robert J. Kane Invitational Pace. There will also be a NYSS T-shirt give-away in conjunction with the Night of Champions. Players Club members will receive a ticket redeemable for a New York Sire Stake T-shirt after the seventh race.

“Although our meet is just getting underway, our staff has been working feverishly all year with an aggressive schedule of projects to ready the Downs for the biggest meet we’ve ever held,” said Todd Haight, director/general manager of Batavia Downs.

“With the New York Sire Stakes selecting us to host the Night of Champions, it was our goal to have our track and facilities in the best possible shape to provide the best conditions for visiting owners, trainers, drivers, their horses and our customers all year and I think we have done just that.”

Melanie, a Woodstock original, performs at the Downs

By Mike Pettinella

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A heartfelt performance by Melanie, center, who performed at Woodstock in 1969, capped more than seven hours of musical tributes on Saturday at BataviaStock at Batavia Downs Gaming.

Melanie, famous for songs such as "Brand New Key," "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" and "What Have They Done to My Song Ma," was joined on stage by her son, Beau Jarred, and daughter, Jeordie.

Earlier, the crowd was treated to authentic tributes to Joe Cocker, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, Janis Joplin and The Who (below).

Photos by Mike Pettinella.

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