Sports

Several Genesee Region bowlers competed on Sunday in the season’s first 60-and-Over Tour event at Brockport Bowl but only one – Batavian Paul Spiotta – advanced out of the three-game qualifying round. Spiotta shook off a 159 start, finishing with 257, to claim the last berth to the second round. Unfortunately, his 165 game wasn’t enough to keep him in contention; he pocketed $50. John Masiello of Kenmore placed first, winning $200. The next tournament in the series directed by Tommy Kress is set for Oct. 28 at Doug Kent’s Rose Bowl Lanes in Newark.

Speaking of tournaments, the Genesee Region USBC had to cancel an Invitational Match Play handicap singles event that was scheduled for last weekend due to a lack of entries. The concept is fine – three-game matches throughout until a winner is determined – but I think the $50 entry fee may have scared bowlers away (especially since it could be a case of “three games and out”).  With advance promotion and maybe a $25 entry fee, I believe it could work.

Brockport’s Chris Bardol opened the league season with a 299 game and 814 on Sept. 11 in the G&W Vending League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, and, two nights ago, he added another 300 game to his resume en route to a 761 series. Bardol said he’s not sure of the exact count, but estimates that he now has 30 perfect games and 15 800 series. He continues to own and operate The North Pole restaurant on Swan Street on Wednesday through Saturday for dinner.

Also on Tuesday night, Scott Bliss of Batavia just missed perfection – firing 279-299-177—755 in the Antique World Coed League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

While the ownership situation at Scopano’s Lanes is yet to be settled, it’s business as usual at the Oakfield facility.  That includes the continuation of a solid Saturday morning youth program, which gets under way on Oct. 13. Director Carrie Monachino said parents of children 4 years of age and up are welcome to sign their kids up from noon to 2 p.m. this Sunday. A pulled pork BBQ fundraiser is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 3 at Caryville Inn.

Medina Lanes caught lightning in a bottle last season by hosting the Sunday Rolloffs League and (no surprise) is planning for another two-round campaign in 2018-19. The handicap singles league, where bowlers are placed in divisions according to their averages, will consist of a pair of 10-week slates -- Oct. 7 through Dec. 9 and Jan. 6 through March 10. The league is limited to 30 bowlers. To enter, call Medina Lanes at 318-4474.

Genesee Region USBC President Gary Kuchler and Director John Wood will be attending a USBC Association Leadership Academy session on Oct. 20-21 at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel in Erie, Pa. The USBC paying all costs associated with the seminar, including hotel, mileage and meals. The purpose of the seminars (I was able to attend one in Arlington, Texas a couple years ago) is to assist state and local association leaders in building their organizations and effectively communicating the USBC brand.

The Greater Buffalo USBC will be inducting nine people into its Hall of Fame on Nov. 24 at Samuel’s Grande Manor in Williamsville. The list includes professional bowler Brad Angelo of Lockport in the outstanding ability category.  Others slated for induction are Ray Bellet, Holly Parrish, Dave Williamson, Mary Grace Williamson and Ruth Wooliver, outstanding ability, and Mary Chase, Cindy Kosanovich and James Wangler Jr., meritorious service. Tickets are $50 per person and can be secured by calling the association office at 716-668-4222 by Nov. 8.

Tonawanda Bowling Center (which is managed by Mary Chase) is hosting the BL Challenge #18 at 9 a.m. Oct. 13. The scratch singles event attracts the top bowlers in an area well beyond WNY, and offers a guaranteed top prize of $6,000. The entry fee is $240. Side events include the Columbia Doubles at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 and the Turbo 2N1 Marathon at 10 a.m. Oct. 14.  For more information, go to www.budlightchallenge.com.

It’s not too late for USBC-certified bowlers age 50 and over to enter the NYS Open Senior Championships – a doubles, singles and six-game combine handicap tournament – on Oct. 13-14, 20-21 at Sunset Bowl in Waterloo. Squad times are 12:30 and 3 p.m. on Oct. 13-14 and 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Oct. 20-21. For an entry form and more information, go to www.bowlny.com.

Local tournaments in the near future include the Camp Rainbow 3-person no-tap event at Medina Lanes on Oct. 13 and the Gladys Ford Senior Women’s tourney on Nov. 3-4 at Letchworth Pines in Portageville.

The Professional Bowlers Association emailed my Hall of Fame ballot a couple weeks ago and I am glad to report that both of my selections – Patrick Allen of Elmwood Park, N.J., and Mike Koivuniemi of Finland – received enough votes to ensure their induction on Jan. 5 at the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas, as part of the PBA Hall of Fame Classic tournament. The finals of this event, the first on the 2019 Go Bowling! PBA season, will be televised live at 11 a.m. Jan. 6 on FS1 (Fox Sports 1). Allen is a 13-time PBA title winner and was the Chris Schenkel Player of the Year in 2004-05, while Koivuniemi has 14 PBA tournament wins, including the PBA Tournament of Champions in 2011 – where he claimed a $250,000 first prize.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Lucan Hanover (John Cummings Jr.) made it three in a row at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 29) after winning the $10,500 Open handicap pace in impressive style. 

As was the case the past two weeks, Cummings put Lucan Hanover on the point right off the gate and was never headed from there. Posting fast fractions of :27.3, :56.3 and 1:24.2, Lucan Hanover turned for home and paced away with a two-length margin of victory in 1:52.2.

"Lucan did it all himself; he's all class," said Cummings after the race. 

It was the 35th lifetime win for Lucan Hanover ($9.70) who now has over $1.14 million on his card. He is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Jack Rice and Pine Hill Racing LTD and is trained by Maria Rice. 

In the $9,000 Open II pace, Heaven Rocks (Drew Monti) got a perfect two-hole trip behind China Dream (John Cummings Jr.) from the start of the race until the top of the stretch when the leader bore out and Heaven Rocks shot through the void to win in 1:54.1, which was a new seasonal mark. 

Owned by Tessa Roland and trained by JD Perrin, Heaven Rocks ($12) registered his sixth win of the year.

The Downs leading driver Drew Monti and trainer JD Perrin teamed up for a Grand Slam on Saturday. Besides Heaven Rocks, the tag-team of Monti and Perrin also shuttled across Four Diamond (1:55.3, $5.70), Hands Off Frank (1:55.2, $2.40) and Hardts Or Bettor (1:54.2, $3.60). 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 3) at 5 p.m.

Photo of BZ Glide with driver Mike Caprio.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

BZ Glide waved bye-bye to the field as he passed them all going from worst to first in the $10,500 Open Handicap trotting feature at Batavia Downs on Friday afternoon (Sept. 28). 

BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) got away last off the gate while Chelseas Chance (Billy Davis Jr.) smoked early fractions of :27 and :57. At that station, Southern Palms (Kevin Cummings) pulled first up with Call My Broker (Drew Monti) on his back and they tried to advance on the leader past the five eighths. But Southern Palms bid failed and Call My Broker was forced to go wide around him. 

At that point BZ Glide was locked in tight last behind horses fanning three deep at the three-quarters and things were looking bleak. But as the race progressed through the turn, Southern Palms finally faded to last allowing BZ Glide a spot to get off the pegs. Then a good five lengths off the leader and forced to tip three-wide himself, Caprio unleashed BZ Glide and with a couple of rocks and a couple of knocks the big horse responded heartily and rolled by everyone to win in 1:57. 

It was the second straight top-class trot victory at Batavia Downs for BZ Glide ($5.20) who now has seven wins on the year and $56,343 earned for owner Caprio stable LLC and trainer Alana Caprio. 

In the $8,000 Open II trot, Bold Dresser (Shawn McDonough) was never headed going gate to wire in 1:58.3 to score his fifth victory of the year. Harry Wortzman owns Bold Dresser ($3.70) who is trained by his driver, Shawn McDonough. 

Drew Monti led all drivers on the night with three wins while Shawn McDonough and Ray Fisher Jr. each garnered a pair. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 29) with post time at 6 o'clock.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

When the going got tough, Machin Marley got going and won the $9,000 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (Sept. 26). 

Machin Marley (Drew Monti) hit the pylons last while Little Joke (Billy Davis Jr.) fired off the wings to take the early lead. But Little Joke would soon submit to a takeover coup by Sportsmuffler (John Cummings Jr.) who came hard midway up the backstretch. The field stayed in single file past the half in a tepid :30 second quarter before Kaitlyn Rae (Ray Fisher Jr.) pulled first over at the five-eighths. 

The top two tangled to the three-quarters in 1:26.1 with neither getting an advantage. Then in the turn, Badlands Delight (Kevin Cummings) tipped three-deep and Machin Marley went four-wide from last and had almost five lengths to make up. With the whole field racing literally side-by-side in the lane, Machin Marley flew down the center of the track and collared them all at the wire to win in 1:55.2. 

It was the sixth win in 30 starts this year for Machin Marley ($15.20) who now has earned $39,381 for owners Thatsideofthefence and John Mungillo, who also does the training. 

In the $8,000 Open II pace for fillies and mares, Aritzia Hanover (Billy Davis Jr.) got away mid-pack before pulling first-over to out-muscle Rockin Kasbah (Kevin Cummings) through the second lap and win by a length in 1:57.1. Aritzia Hanover ($4.40) is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable and Pine Hill Racing. Maria Rice trains the winner. 

Drew Monti and Billy Davis Jr. both had driving triples on Wednesday. Monti is the current dash driving leader for the meet with 64 wins. Davis is third with 48 wins behind Kevin Cummings who sits in second with 60. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 28) with post time set for 6 p.m.

(Photo of driver Drew Monti courtesy of Paul White)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

It was another big Saturday night (Sept. 22) for driver Drew Monti as he captured six wins on the card, including four straight from races two through five, to vault himself back into the lead for the dash driving title at Batavia Downs. 

Monti got his picture taken with Glory Jean (1:57.1, $7.20), Foreign Officer (1:54.4, $5.50), Four Diamonds (1:55.4, $5.80), Hands Off Frank (1:54, $6.80), Hardts Or Bettor (1:55.4, $2.90) and Barry’s Shelby (1:55, $8.40). 

The six wins now give him 61 for the meet, one more than Kevin Cummings (60) who also had a driving double on Saturday. 

Four of Monti’s wins (Foreign Officer, Four Diamonds, Hands Off Frank and Hardts Or Bettor) were behind horses trained by JD Perrin. And much like Monti,  Perrin pushed himself into the dash win training lead now with 26 victories after Saturday, four ahead of James Clouser Jr. who has 22. 

Clouser and Perrin are the top two Universal Trainer Rating (UTR) trainers among all those in North America with less than 500 starts this year. Clouser has a UTR of .472 and Perrin is right behind him with a .417. 

The feature race on the card was an $8,500 Open III pace that was won by Barry Hanover (Shawn McDonough). Barry Hanover got away second behind Southwind Torque (John Cummings Jr.) who led the race until the three-quarters when McDonough pulled, took the lead and paced away to an impressive three-length victory in a new lifetime mark of 1:53. 

Barry Hanover ($4.40) is owned by John Sixt and trained by Judy Blaun. 

Racing Under Saddle (RUS) New York had an exhibition race on Saturday with a purse of $3,000 that proved to be one of the best on the card to watch. 

Rider Sietski Dijkhof from the Netherlands was making her first North American RUS start and this girl came to play. Dijkhof rode No Recess from post five in the field of six and got away second behind last year’s Batavia RUS winner, Funny Photo (Sophie Engerran) and sat there until the half in 1:01.4. There Dijkhof pulled No Recess and went right after Funny Photo. 

The two horses trotted side by side, stride for stride up the backside and into the far turn when Funny Photo got a half-length advantage. But when they spun into the stretch, Dijkhof asked for more from No Recess and he responded by passing Funny Photo to win by a length in 2:02.1. 

The time was a new lifetime RUS mark for No Recess and a new RUS track record at Batavia Downs, replacing the 2:03.4 mark set by Admirable Hanover in 2016. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 26) with post time at 5 p.m.

By TIm Bojarski, for Batavia Downs:

The $320,000 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) consolation races were contested in eight divisions at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 21) with Jason Bartlett and Marcus Miller getting the lion’s share of the eight contests. Bartlett won three and finished third two more times while Miller won two and finished second four times.   

Despite a heavy downpour early in the card, the track set up quickly and two lifetime and two seasonal marks were set during the evening in the NYSS races.

Here is a race by race recap of the consolation events.

2-year-old filly pace

Winner -- Topville Angelina (American Ideal-A Fiesty Affair) 1:57.2

Owners -- Erv Miller Stable, Michael Anderson and George Golemes

Trainer -- Erv Miller

Breeder -- Robert Hamather

(non-betting)

Topville Angelina (Marcus Miller) travelled second the entire mile behind Sun Viser (Billy Davis Jr.) through even fractions until the top of the stretch when Miller tipped her and she quickly paced by the leader down the lane to win by three lengths in 1:57.2.

2-year-old filly trot

Winner -- Sweet Chapter (Chapter Seven-Mom’s A Sweetie Pie) 2:01.2

Owners -- Hutt Racing Stable, Blake MacIntosh, Glenn Bechtel and the Mortgage Boys Stable

Trainer -- Blake MacIntosh

Breeder -- Winbak Farm

Mutuel -- $3.20

Sweet Chapter (Jim Morrill Jr.) went right to the front and dictated the entire race. Contending with a heavy downpour during the mile, Sweet Chapter trotted to the three-quarters in 1:30.1 without a challenge before Hot Chapter (Marcus Miller) started an attack on the outside. Hot Chapter trotted hard down the lane in the middle of the track but Sweet Chapter had enough left to hang on and win in 2:01.2.

2-year-old colt and gelding pace

Winner -- KJ Leo (Art Major-Winsmith Jess) 1:54.4

Owners -- Brenda Messenger, Philip Shapiro and Scott Woogen

Trainer -- Gary Messenger

Breeders -- Brenda Messenger, Philip Shapiro and Scott Woogen

Mutuel -- $24.40

Cub Fan (Marcus Miller) was a strong leaver and set the pace once he settled ahead of KJ Leo (Billy Davis Jr.) who would get the perfect trip. After getting to the half in :57.1, Jet Rock (Kevin Cummings) pulled first up and pushed the issue with Cub Fan all the way to the top of the stretch. At that point he faded and KJ Leo popped the pocket and paced down the lane stride for stride with Cub Fan. When they hit the wire they were a neck apart with KJ Leo getting the better of the photo in 1:54.4, which was a new lifetime mark.

2-year-old colt and gelding trot

Winner -- JNR Express (Coway Hall-Yankee T L C) 1:59.3

Owners -- James De Armond and Russell Young

Trainer -- Jessica Okusko

Breeder -- Donald La Page

Mutuel -- $9

JNR Express (Kevin Cummings) took no prisoners as he left and led at every station. After trotting well in hand through a 1:29.2 three quarters, JNR Express took a two-length lead into a stretch and held off a late surge by Brady Bunch (Marcus Miller) and Whimzical Chapter (Dan Daley) to win in 1:59.3, which was a new lifetime mark.

(Above: Solitary with driver Jason Bartlett.)

3-year-old filly pace

Winner -- Solitary (American Ideal-Lonesome Day) 1:54.4

Owners -- William Daggett Jr., Lawrence Vukovic and the J L Benson Stable

Trainer -- Nick Surick

Breeder -- Docs Farm

Mutuel -- $3.30

Pelican Blue Chip (Jim Morrill Jr.) grabbed the lead by the quarter and took the race to the half in :57. An outer flow began to advance and by the three quarters horses were three deep heading into the turn with Solitary (Jason Bartlett) locked in fifth with no racing room. Believe In Me (Drew Monti) who was second on the outside bore out and gave Solitary and opening to get out and get out she did. Bartlett gave the filly her head and she shifted gears and paced away from the field to win by three lengths in 1:54.4, which was a new seasonal mark.

“The race didn’t unfold as I expected and I had to make my way out of traffic in the last turn. But When I got her free it was over,” said Bartlett after the race.

(Above: I'm the Muscle with driver Jason Bartlett.)

3-year-old colt and gelding trot

Winner -- I’m The Muscle (Muscle Mass-Lady Bling) 1:57.4

Owner -- Rheau Viau

Trainer -- Rene Allard

Breeder -- Blair and Erna Corbell

Mutuel -- $2.30

In a race shortened by two scratches, I’m The Muscle (Jason Bartlett) wanted nothing but the front and didn’t waste any time getting there. He trotted unchallenged on top by two open lengths in :29.3, :59.3 and 1:29.1 before rounding the last turn and flying home in a quick :28.3 to win in 1:57.4.

“He has been getting better and better each week and last week he was closing on Six Pack Late. He’s a real nice horse,” said Bartlett in the winner’s circle.

3-year-old filly trot

Winner -- Supergirl RIley (Muscle Mass-Crown Laurel) 1:57

Owners -- Paymaq Racing, George Golemes and Harvey Eisman

Trainer -- Erv Miller

Breeder -- Brittany Farms

Mutuel -- $2.10

Marcus Miller took advantage of the continuing front end bias and put the 1-9 favorite Supergirl RIley right on the point as the field followed in single file. With the rest of the group gapping behind, the pocket-sitting Golden Muscle (Drew Monti) pulled at three-quarters to take her shot. But halfway through the turn, Golden Muscle broke and Supergirl RIley found herself all alone trotting down the stretch a wrapped-up winner by three in 1:57.

“She’s just an unbelievable horse. She does everything right and she won easy tonight,” said driver Marcus Miller after the race.

(Above: Ideal Feeling with driver Jason Bartlett.)

3-year-old colt and gelding pace

Winner -- Ideal Feeling (American Ideal-Feelinglikeastar) 1:52.4

Owner -- Rick Berks

Trainer -- Mike Deters

Breeder -- Winbak Farm

Mutuel -- $3.10

Ideal Feeling (Jason Bartlett) seated third off the gate but then came quick past the eighth pole to grab the lead. Rolling handily past the half and to three-quarters in 1:24.1 without any opposition, Ideal Feeling watched as Lyons Steel (Kevin Cummings) left his cover and made his bid for the win. As the race moved down the lane, Lyons Steel continued to gain ground but Bartlett kept Ideal Feeling to task and he won by a half length in 1:52.4 to take his third consecutive win.

Before the races began, Batavia Downs held a press conference with regional media outlets to formally announce the track being awarded the 2019 NYSS Night of Champions.

The Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding and Development Fund awarded the $1.8 million finals to Batavia Downs because of its excellent facilities and their ability to promote the race and offer an exciting fan experience.

Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel expressed his excitement looking forward to next year: “We are very excited for Batavia Downs Gaming to host the $1.8 million finals if the New York SIre Stakes with the long history this facility has with harness racing. We have made so many improvements to the track and can’t wait to host everyone that weekend and showcase our new hotel and beautiful clubhouse.”

Kelly Young, executive director of the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding and Development Fund said: “2019 will be the 30th edition of the Night of Champions and we look forward to bringing it to Western New York and Batavia Downs. We’re really excited to watch this race track do what it does best; that is promoting harness racing and bringing fans in to watch the best horses the state has to offer.”

The date of the finals will be announced once the actual racing schedule is finalized.