Sports

By Tim Bojarski, president, Upstate New York USHWA

The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) has announced that Steve Pratt (inset photo) will receive their Lifetime Achievement Award during the Night of Distinction at Batavia Downs on Friday (Dec. 14).  

Pratt first got his grooms license in 1970 and from there has been involved in harness racing ever since. He has been training and racing horses in Western New York since the late seventies when the star of his barn was an Open trotter named Willow Hill Boy who under the reinsmanship of the legendary Gaston Guindon, won 42 races in only five years against the best horses on the grounds at the time. 

Pratt moved on from racing overnights to concentrate on breaking and developing young horses. He became a presence on the New York county fair circuit but made the move to the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) in the mid-'90s. There he found early success with horses like Sal The Barber (1:58.2, $114,887) and Choyote’s Miss (1:59.1, $121,785). But he really got on a successful roll in the NYSS starting in 2012. 

For the last seven years Pratt has been a trotting force in the state-bred series with a string of “Barn” named horses that have competed in the NYSS, the Excel series and also at the county fairs. The parade of his champions is led most prominently by Barn Doll (1:52.1, $874,083), Barn Bella (1:51.3, $742,350), Barn Girl (1:52.3, $734,668), Barn Babe (1:54.2, $350,463) and Barn Winner (1:56, $165,273).   

During those seven years Pratt-trained horses have earned more than $2 million in only 227 starts, winning 97 races which gave him a phenomenal 42-percent win percentage. Pratt’s Universal Trainer Rating (UTR) for that same period is a stellar .558 and all this was accomplished racing primarily in stake competition. 

Steve Pratt will receive his trophy in the Purple Haze Winner’s Circle between races during the live card. 

Photo of driver Kevin Cummings courtesy of Batavia Downs.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

After being involved in an accident at Batavia Downs late last week, perennial Western New York driving leader Kevin Cummings will not return to action until next year. 

While driving in the first race on Friday night (Dec. 7) Cummings horse made a break causing the horse directly behind to collide into him, hitting Cummings on the left-side back at full speed. The two horses became entangled but were brought to a stop in the clubhouse turn just past the half. 

Cummings and the driver of the other horse, Mike Caprio (who also became unseated), were evaluated on site immediately after the track was cleared. Caprio returned to drive the remainder of the night however Cummings was sent for further medical evaluation. 

After being examined in the hospital it was determined that Cummings had three broken ribs, torn cartilage and internal bleeding. He was sent home and is in the process of healing under the care of his personal physician. 

Given the severity of his injuries, Cummings estimated his time away from the sulky to be two to three months. 

“I always wear my safety vest under my colors. It’s paid off in the past and it certainly paid of Friday. If I didn’t have that thing on I would have crushed my entire rib cage and had extensive organ damage,” Cummings said.

“I always tell the young guys to make sure they use theirs because you never know when you are going down.” 

Cummings, who is a four-time dash champion at Batavia Downs, is currently second in the standings this year with 102 wins and had a legitimate shot at taking a fifth title. This season saw him earn more than $1.2 million in purses, which is the 10th straight year he has gone over the million-dollar mark. 

For his career Cummings has won 3,820 races and over $17 million in earnings.

Lucky McTrucky with driver Drew Monti.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Lucky McTrucky got back to his winning ways taking the $11,500 Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Dec. 8).

The feature field got away in post position order leaving Cultural Paradise (Jim McNeight Jr.) on top calling the shots and with no pressure to the half, it was a soft fraction of :58 flat. However that would soon change when In Runaway Bay N (Truman Gale) came calling first-up on the outside where the race began to get interesting.

In Runaway Bay N paced along with Cultural Paradise up the backstretch in a quick :28.3 third panel and while that was going on, Lucky McTrucky (Drew Monti) joined the party late but came with lots of pace. Halfway through the turn Monti tipped Lucky McTrucky three-deep and caught the leaders by the top of the stretch and then went right by in the lane to win by two-lengths in 1:55.4.

It was the 55th lifetime win and 13th of the season for Lucky McTrucky ($10.60) who now has earned $93,405 in 2018 for owner Tessa Roland. JD Perrin trains the winner.

The $9,900 Open II pace saw Western Rockstar A (Shawn McDonough) close sharply after chasing an early speed battle between Linkjack Hanover (Bob Verney) and Littlebitofabrat (Ray Fisher Jr.) to pull the upset in 1:56.2. Western Rockstar A ($24) captured his fifth win of the year for owner Super Mile LLC. Angelo Nappo is the trainer.

Three drivers won 10 of the 12 races on Saturday evening. Drew Monti was the big dog copping a Grand Slam of wins. Then Shawn McDonough and Denny Bucceri were right behind, each having a triple on the card.

Next week is the final week of racing at Batavia Downs and it starts on Friday night (Dec. 14) with post time set at 6 o'clock. There is no racing on Wednesday (Dec. 12).

Photo of Empire Earl N with drive Drew Monti.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

After going winless since Sept. 7 when he trotted a season’s best 1:56.3, Empire Earl N has regained early season form winning two consecutive top-class races at Batavia Downs. The second score came on Friday night (Dec.7) when he captured the $11,000 Open Handicap trot.  

Empire Earl N (Drew Monti) got away third as Crystal Sphere (Billy Davis Jr.) made a beeline for the lead and when he got there, backed off the proceedings. After a leisurely stroll to the half in 1:01.2, Davis hit the gas, opened up a five-length advantage and tried to put the swoop to the group. Motoring along well on the point, Crystal Sphere looked very much the best, however there was a lot of race left.  

As the group moved from the five-eighths to the three-quarters, Monti tipped Empire Earl N and started chipping away at Crystal Sphere’s lead. Around the last turn he was on his back and at the head of the stretch he drew even on the outside and from there, Empire Earl N got stout and trotted away under mild urging from Monti to win by a length in 1:59.3.

Empire Earl N ($4.70) reached double-digit wins for 2018, scoring his 10th of the year for owner Kim Asher. He has also earned $90,354 this year which has been his career best under the tutelage of trainer Riley Asher-Stalbaum.

In the $8,800 Open II trot Labatt Hanover (Shawn McDonough) made easy work of five foes, posting even fractions en route to a three-length victory in 1:59.3. Labatt Hanover ($8.70) scored his sixth victory of 2018 for owners Gary and Cynthia Saj. His driver McDonough also does the conditioning.

Aside from capturing the feature race, driver Drew Monti also had two other wins giving him a Hat Trick on the night. Billy Davis Jr. and Mike Caprio also had driving doubles during the nine-race card.

There was no winner of the early Pick-5 on Friday and as a result, there is a $534 carry-over and a guaranteed pool of $1,500 for the early Pick-5 when racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday. Post time for the first race at 6 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Horsemen racing at Batavia Downs should take note of the draw schedule for the final week of racing for 2018. 

There will be a double draw held on Tuesday (Dec. 11) for Friday (Dec. 14) and Saturday (Dec. 15) with the box closing at 9 a.m. After the draw, the judges will also close both programs on Tuesday (Dec. 11). 

Also please note that post time for Friday (Dec. 14) is 6 p.m. while post time for Saturday (Dec. 15) is early at 4:45 p.m.  

For any inquiries about conditions or to call your entries in, please contact Race Secretary Joe Zambito at 585-344-6304.

The complete condition sheet for racing at Batavia Downs is available on the Batavia Downs website (www.bataviadownsgaming.com) under Live Racing>Horsemen>Condition Sheet and also on the USTA website (www.ustrotting.com) by clicking Horsemen>Condition Sheets.

Photo of driver Billy Davis Jr. with Sportsmuffler.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs​

As the weather gets colder, she keeps getting bolder. Sportsmuffler continued to dominate the local distaff colony by winning the $10,400 fillies and mares Open handicap pace with little effort on a cold night at Batavia Downs on Monday (Dec. 5). 

Driver Billy Davis Jr. left three-wide with the 1-5 Sportsmuffler and out-dueled Kaitlyn Rae (Mike Caprio) to the catbird seat from where she dictated the rest of the race this night. With no challengers for three-quarters of the mile, Sportsmuffler got to that station in 1:26.4 when Caprio pulled the pocket-sitting Kaitlyn Rae to take their best shot. But try as they might, their best was no match for the streaking Sportsmuffler who after a tap and a swish from Davis, paced away to a two-length victory in 1:55.4. 

Sportsmuffler ($2.40) has now won five out of the last eight top class mares races in as many starts at Batavia. She has also matched her 2017 career-best total of wins, scoring her 11^th this year and has reached a new single-season high for earnings of $74,506 for owner Rose Campbell. Steve Kiblin is the trainer of the Sportsmaster progeny. 

Davis had a stellar night in the bike besides winning the feature. He also won two other races on the card of eight giving him a Hat Trick for the evening. 

Davis has been on a roll the past couple of weeks and as such, is now in the conversation for leading dash driver of the meet. With Wednesday’s three wins Davis now has 97 for the session, only 10 behind the leading Drew Monti (107) and five behind second place Kevin Cummings (102). With four nights left in the meet, Davis has a legitimate shot of making up the shortfall and taking the 2018 driver race to a photo finish. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Dec. 7) with post time set for 6 p.m.  

Photo of Runaway Bay N with driver Kevin Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

As the rain came down, In Runaway Bay N splashed through it in a convincing gate to wire triumph in the $11,500 Open Handicap pace on Saturday night (Dec. 1) at Batavia Downs.

In Runaway Bay N (Kevin Cummings) took early command from post two and set down even early fractions; reaching the half in :58.3. As they rounded the second turn and headed up the backstretch Upfront Countryboy (Billy Davis Jr.) came first-over with Iyq Yqr (Denny Bucceri) on his back and both tried to push the issue from there.

Moving to the three-quarters Upfront Countryboy’s bid stalled, forcing Iyq Yqr to go three-wide. When In Runaway Bay N tripped the timer there in 1:27.1 he seemed to be pacing stronger as the outside bid from both horses failed. The only challenge left would be from Dark Horse (Shawn McDonough) who had been sitting the pocket trip and was game to take his best shot. But as the race headed down the stretch In Runaway Bay N opened up two-lengths on everyone and paced home sharply to win in 1:55.2.

In Runaway Bay N ($6.90) is owned by Mark Jakubik and trained by Angelo Nappo. The 8-year-old altered son of Mach Three has had a stellar year scoring eight wins and earning $66,125 in purses to date,

Golden Gun (Josh Kinney) came from well off the pace in the $9,900 Open II undercard and out-muscled Western Rockstar A (Shawn McDonough) and Sunset Sid (Denny Bucceri) at the wire to win in 1:57.2. Owned by the Whiz Kids Stable, the Jeff Sorenson trained Golden Gun ($4.80) scored his eighth win of the year and raised his earnings total to $38,550 for 2018.

Kevin Cummings scored a driving Hat Trick on Saturday leading all drivers on the card.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday with post time for the first race at 5 p.m.

Photo of Empire Earl N with driver Drew Monti.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Another sloppy track greeted participants for Friday night’s (Nov. 30) card but it was no impediment for Empire Earl N who double-moved to victory in the $11,500 Open handicap trot at Batavia Downs.

Leaving from post four, Empire Earl N (Drew Monti) tucked second behind Crystal Sphere (Billy Davis Jr.) who led the field to the half in :59.1. At that station the outside train came with Labatt Hanover (Shawn McDonough) on the engine and post time favorite Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) third-over in the caboose,

As the group motored up the backside Fisher grew impatient and pulled Lougazi three-wide to try and sweep the field. But several steps into that move Lougazi made a break and the whole raced changed right there. Empire Earl N now had room to come off the pylons and Monti got him rolling around the last turn. After drawing next to Crystal Sphere, Empire Earl N continued right on by and under mild urging, opened up a length lead to win in 1:58.3.

Now boasting $84,854 in earnings on the strength of nine wins this year, the 10-year-old Empire Earl N ($12.40) is having a career year for wins, earnings and mark for owner Kim Asher and trainer Riley Asher-Stalbaum.

In the $8,800 Open II trot, Are You In (Kevin Cummings) turned a second-over trip past the half into a winning three-wide move at the top of the stretch where he passed Barn Winner (Ray Fisher Jr.) down the lane to win his fourth race of the year, timed in 2:00. Are You In ($5.40) is owned by Anthony Alessi and is trained by his driver, Kevin Cummings.  

Shawn McDonough had a huge driving triple on Friday, lighting up the board with two of the wins. He scored with Heza Swan ($60), Raylan Givens ($6.50) and Back To Motown ($26.80).

With no winning ticket on the early Pick-5 on Friday, there is a carry-over of $570 and a guaranteed pool of $1,500 for the early Pick-5 this evening (Dec.1) when racing resumes at Batavia Downs. Post time for the first race at 6 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs has announced today that a new late-closer series for horses that have raced at the track this year will be offered in December. 

“The Dash for Holiday Cash” is for horses that are non-winners of $20,000 in 2018 as of Tuesday (Nov. 27) with at least 10 starts at Batavia Downs and five of those starts must have been for a purse of $5,200 or less since Wednesday (July 25). There is no entry fee for this series.  

Eliminations will be held on Saturday (Dec. 8) for a purse of $6,000. The final will be on Saturday (Dec. 15) and will offer a purse of $20,000. There will also be a consolation on Saturday (Dec. 15) and they will vie for $8,000. 

The eliminations will go with six or more horses with no more than two horses per owner or trainer. The finals will go with eight horses with no more than two horses per owner or trainer.

There will be one also-eligible drawn for the final. 

Horses will advance from the eliminations to the finals based on the horses placement in the eliminations, fastest time in the eliminations and most money made in 2018. 

The series will be on the regular condition sheet for the respective Saturdays and regular entry rules will apply.  

For any inquiries about this series please contact Race Secretary Joe Zambito at 585-344-6304. 

Sportsmuffler silences rivals in Batavia distaff feature

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

(Photo courtesy of Paul White)

Photo of driver Billy Davis Jr. and Sportsmuffler.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Trounced would be kind; annihilated would be accurate. Sportsmuffler took the best local mares to task at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (Nov. 28) and taught school after winning by open-lengths going away in the $10,400 Open Handicap fillies and mares pace. 

Billy Davis Jr. wasted no time getting the lead off the gate and started a gapped journey immediately. After getting to the half in :58.1 over the sloppy track in a snow-globe, Sportsmuffler strode-away to a three-length lead when she hit three-quarters in 1:27. And then after rounding the far turn, she was gone. 

As she spiraled out the final bend and hit the straight Sportsmuffler was in a race against time alone as no one was even near her. With Davis a mere passenger, Sportsmuffler continued to widen her advantage, eventually stretching it to eight at the wire where she was the easiest of winners in 1:56.1. 

It was the 10^th victory of the year for Sportsmuffler ($2.80) who has now earned $69,306 for owner Rose Campbell. Steve Kiblin does the training. 

In the $8,800 fillies and mares Open II, Susie’s Delight (Ray Fisher Jr.) led from gate to wire, taking advantage of pedestrian fractions to the three-quarters to close out the contest with a one-length victory in 1:59.4. Ryan Swift trains the winner for the Swift Racing Stable.

Billy Davis Jr. also won two other races on the card Wednesday giving him the Hat Trick to lead all drivers. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday evening (Nov. 30) with post time set for 6 o'clock.

Batavia’s Rob Stefani has made it back to the Beat the Champ TV show, and will be on the small screen almost a year to the day after appearing on the WBBZ-TV (MeTV) broadcast that emanated from Mancuso Bowling Center.

This year, the scene of the action is Brad Angelo Lanes in Lockport and that’s where Stefani, a 34-year-old right-hander, edged fellow Batavian Brian Green on Sunday for the ninth and final berth, which qualifies him to be on the last of three shows in December. Taping is set for Dec. 3 at the Lockport bowling center.

“I was able to grind it out,” said Stefani, who rolled the last five strikes in his third game to post a 683 score – one pin more than lefty Green’s 682.

Stefani started with a 269 in the 24-bowler finals but fell to 199 in the second game.

“It didn’t look good but fortunately I was able to finish strong,” Stefani said, as his 215 third game barely held off Green, who posted 224-211-247.

Stefani, who earned $150, is the only bowler outside of the Buffalo area to reach this month’s show – where he will have an opportunity for more prize winnings.

He will appear in the third show -- which airs on Dec. 23 -- and will go up against Tyler Molina of Buffalo, Pat Brick of Buffalo and whoever the “champ” is.  Currently, Chuck Jagodzinski of Lancaster rules the roost.

Tim Frenz of Depew, Tony Dolan of West Seneca and Ryan Kress of Cheektowaga will battle against Jagodzinski on the first show (Dec. 9), and Tom Sorce of Blasdell, Tim Finken of Depew and Gary Kinyon of Lockport, who rolled a 300 game in the finals, will compete on the Dec. 16 telecast.

Mancuso Bowling Center opted not to participate in the program this year due to a decrease in the number of entries.

KARL MARTH CUP RIVALRY RENEWS ON SATURDAY

The North squad, led by non-playing captain Tom Allis, has the “home court” advantage as it looks to extend its dominance in the Karl Marth Cup series at 1:30 p.m. this Saturday at Medina Lanes.

In 2017, the North defeated the South, 64.5-58.5, at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield for its sixth victory in the past seven years. Overall, the North holds a 14-10 edge.

The teams compete in Doubles, Singles, Baker-style Doubles and Baker-style Team.

Rosters are as follows:

North – Alex Allis, Hayden Allis, Roger Allis, Scott Allis, Richard Culver, Scott Gibson, Mike Lavender, Jason Mahnke, Jake Rosenbeck, Rob Sease, Scott Shields and Aaron Verheyn.

South – Ed Doody (captain), Geoff Harloff, Mike Johnson, Todd Mortellaro, Steve O’Dell, Jim Pursel, Rick Saunders, Matt Slocum, Paul Spiotta, Joe Trigilio, Brett Van Duser and Gregg Wolff.

SPIOTTA, LOGAN CASH AT 60-AND-OVER TOURNEY

Make it six out of eight “cashes” for Batavian Paul Spiotta in Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour competition.

The 61-year-old right-hander led the qualifying round with 727 before bowing out in the second round of the finals Sunday at Brad Angelo Lanes in Lockport. He took home $95 for his efforts.

Bill Logan of Albion also cashed, posting a 584 to qualifying in the 65-69 age group, before being eliminated in the first round.

Ed Mousseau of East Amherst made a successful debut on the Tour by defeating Fred Back of Clarence Center, 196-182, in the title match. Mousseau, former director of the Amateur Bowlers Tour, earned $300.

The tournament attracted 47 entrants.

The next event is set for 12:30 p.m. (check-in starts at 11L30 a.m.) on Dec. 23 at Bowl A Roll Lanes in Rochester.

ANDERSON CAPTURES PBA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The Professional Bowlers Association last week announced that second-year member Andrew Anderson of Holly, Mich., has been selected as the 2018 Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year, while 20-year-old Kamron Doyle of Brentwood, Tenn., has been selected as the 2018 Harry Golden PBA Rookie of the Year.

Other honorees were Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Mich., who captured the 2018 Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award, and 2018 PBA Hall of Fame inductee Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, who earned the PBA Tony Reyes Memorial Community Service Award.

Anderson, 23, and Doyle will be recognized on national television during the PBA Clash telecast that on FOX on Sunday, Dec. 23. Smallwood and Barnes will receive their awards during the PBA Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Saturday, Jan. 5, from the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame in Arlington, Texas.

Anderson won two titles in 2018 -- the United States Bowling Congress Masters (his first major) and the Xtra Frame Greater Jonesboro Open on his way to winning the 2018 Harry Smith PBA Points Leader award. He cashed in 16 of the 19 events he entered and had five top-five finishes, including a third-place finish in the PBA Tournament of Champions.

ALBION’S SNOOK QUALIFIES FOR JUNIOR GOLD

Sixteen-year-old Paige Snook of Albion will be heading to Detroit this summer to compete against some of the best youth bowlers in the nation.

Paige, daughter of Paul and Kelly Snook, placed second at a Youth Bowling Tour event on Nov. 18 at Doug Kent’s Rose Bowl Lanes in Newark to earn a spot in the Girls U17 Division at Junior Gold.

The national tournament, sponsored by the Brands of Ebonite International, is scheduled for July 13-20, 2019 at several bowling centers in the Detroit area. Competition is in eight divisions -- U12 Boys, U12 Girls, U15 Boys, U15 Girls, U17 Boys, U17 Girls, U20 Boys and U20 Girls.

Snook, a 160-plus average bowler, rolled games of 167, 178, 169 and 155 in the four-game qualifier on a Sport (difficult) oil pattern to advance to match play. She won her first match with 183 before losing in the final match with a 133.

She is a member of the youth bowling program at Oak Orchard Lanes in Albion and the Genesee Region Youth Travel League.

HATS OFF TO CHRIS HUNTZ FOR 247 TRIPLICATE

We previously reported – in the weekly league high scores roundup – that Perry’s Chris Huntz spun a 247-247-247 triplicate in the Monday Nite 5 League at Perry Bowling Center on Nov. 12.

It wasn’t until last week that I found out what the 35-year-old right-hander needed in the 10^th frame of the third game to roll another 247.

Huntz said he had to have a strike on the first ball and nine more pins on the final two rolls to do it. He got the strike then left the 6-7-10 split. He then knocked down the 6 and the 10 for the 247.