Two Opens totaling $26,000 were on tap at Batavia Downs on Saturday (October 19) night and a show of force was displayed by both winners.
The $13,000 Open pace went first and was scratched down to a five-horse field that Livonjaxsandqueens (Jim McNeight Jr.) beat from start to finish.
McNeight pushed Livonjaxsandqueens to the fore and settled on the lead passing the :28 quarter. With Comet Crusader N (Shawn McDonough) following from second, Livonjaxsandqueens got to the half in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:26.2 where the top two lost touch with the rest of the field. Livonjaxsandqueens spun through the final bend and at the top of the stretch, Comet Crusader N pulled and tried to catch the leader. But he came up a half length short as Livonjaxsandqueens crossed first in 1:54.3.
It was the sixth win of the year for Livonjaxsandqueens ($5.70) who is owned by Howard Ouriel and trained by Jim Rothfuss.
Then in the $13,000 Open Handicap trot, El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) poured it as he thumped the competition.
City Of Hope (John Cummings Jr.) grabbed the lead at the quarter but almost immediately, El Toro Loco took it from him and for all intents and purposes, the race was over at that point. El Toro Loco had an easy 1-½ length advantage to the half in :57.1 and three-quarters in 1:26.3. Then coming out of the last turn, El Toro Loco bolted from the field and stretched out to a 5-½ length margin at the beam that he broke in 1:56.2.
El Toro Loco ($7.90) is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.
Kevin Cummings ended the night with a total of three wins while Sam Smith concluded the card with two. Darrin Monti also had two wins and joined Smith as the top trainers for the night.
The Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta was hit the last race. The single unique combination of 1-6-9-5-2 returned $7,090.10 for a 20-cent wager.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (October 23) with post time at 6 p.m.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Making his second start at Batavia Downs since competing in the Ontario Sire Stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park over the summer, the 3-year-old Slayin Theday Away took on older foes and found the local winner’s circle for the first time after he won the featured $9,500 trot on Friday (October 18) night.
Slayin Theday Away (Drew Monti) grabbed the lead at the quarter and led the group of seven to the half in 1:01. It was there that Run Like Hill (Joe Chindano Jr.) pulled from fifth and made his way to the lead passing the five-eighths pole. Run Like Hill had the lead, but could not cross over as Slayin Theday Away continued to fight up the backstretch.
Run Like Hill tripped the timer in 1:29.1 at three-quarters with Slayin Theday Away still second on the pegs and a half length behind. As they spun through the last turn, Slayin Theday Away got back even with Run Like Hill and at the top of the stretch, completed a stellar comeback by taking the lead and keeping it by 1-¼ lengths at the light in 1:59.1.
It was the eighth win of the year for Slayin Theday Away ($2.70) who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Dr. Michael Miller. Maria Rice trains the winner.
Monti, Rice and Vogel and Wags Nags also teamed up to win with Jacked (1:57.3, $2.90) earlier in the card.
The top drivers on Friday were Jim McNeight Jr. and Joe Chindano Jr. who both registered three wins during the proceedings. Jim McNeight got two training wins to match Rice as top conditioner.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (October 19) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $4,853 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 12th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
The Batavia Blue Devils dominated under the lights of Van Detta Stadium on Friday night as the beat the Vertus Warriors 33-8.
Bronx Bucholz was 14-23 passing for 128 yards and three touchdowns. He ran for 54 yards on nine carries, scoring twice.
Da'Van Gallo-Williams had two receptions for 22 yards and a TD. Lakoda Mruczek had five receptions for 43 yards and a TD. He had seven tackles on defense. Carter Mullen, five catches for 69 yards and a TD. Maggio Bucholz, 14 tackles and a fumble recovery.
On Thursday at Genesee Community College against Oakfield-Alabama Elba, the Alexander Trojans started hot and keep the heat through all four quarters of football for a 47-14 win.
The Trojans drove down the field with their opening possession, capping the drive with a TD run from Junior Kingston Woods from three yards out.
A stout defense gave the Trojans their second possession soon after and Brody Heckman tossed a 12-yard TD pass to Duke Snyder. With a two-point conversion, Alexander led 14-0.
On its next possession, OAE put together a drive of its own to make the score 14-7, but Alexander answered with a 92-yard kickoff return by Kingston Woods.
Four minutes later, Damien Hale sprung loose and scored on a run up the middle from 17 yards out. Melissa Sawyer's kick was good, notching the score at 28-7 into the half.
In the third, Ryder Reichert scored from three yards out, extending the lead to 34-7.
OAE put together another drive of its own, making it 34-14.
Early in the fourth Heckman, ran a keeper from nine yards out for a TD and Sawyer's kick was good 41-14.
Later in the fourth, Hale scored on a 35-yard run that included braking four tackles, wrapping up the scoring at 47-14.
For Alexander, Sean Pietrzkowski led the Trojan Defense with seven tackles and two tackles for a loss. Mason Snyder had six tackles and two tackles for a loss. Damien Hale and Ryder Reichert each recorded QB sacks.
For OAE Brayden Jachimowicz was 10-22 passing for 83 yards and two TDs, five yards to Hunter Tabolski, and 15 yards to Brendan Porey. Avery Watterson had 10 tackles. Jack Cianfrini had nine tackles. Dominic West had eight tackles.
"Hats off to Alexander for a physical game," said OAE coach Tyler Winters. "We will look to use the remaining weeks of the season to learn how to play tough football against tough opponents. If we can take care of business the rest of the way, we hope to set ourselves up for a chance to still get to where we want to go."
Alexander is now 6-1 on the season, and OAE is 4-3.
Pembroke beat Attica on Wednesday in five games as part of the Digging for Domes Fundraiser.
Scors: 26-24, 21-25, 25-22, 20-25, 18-16
Onolee Easterbrook had 16 kills, 3 blocks, 3 digs and an ace. Reagan Schneider had 15 kills, 8 digs and a block. Brianna Reynalds added 10 kills and 10 digs.
From Attica, Morgan Borycki had 28 digs, 1 kill and 4 aces. Carlene Domes had 9 kills, 5 aces, 1 assist and digs. Morgan Jackson added 14 digs, 4 aces and 2 kills.
Forgot Thewallet A made quick and easy work of her six female foes after walking away with a victory in the $11,000 conditioned pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (October 16) night.
Dave “Triple Sticks” McNeight III flew off the wings with Forgot Thewallet A and set a tempo no one in the race could compete with. Forgot Thewallet A set fractions of :27.2, :57.2 and 1:25.1 while maintaining a growing lead at each station. After rounding the last bend under no duress whatsoever, Forgot Thewallet A paced home under wraps to win by 2-¼ lengths in 1:54.4 on a very chilly night in Genesee County.
It was the ninth win of the year for Forgot Thewallet A ($3.30) who is owned by Dr. Michael Miller and Team Rice Racing. Maria Rice trains the Australian expatriate.
When the 12-year-old pacing gelding Angelo J Fra ($4.60) won the seventh race in 1:58.1, he registered the 60th win of his stellar career while pushing his lifetime earnings to $640,688. Angelo J Fra is owned by Eva Saintcross and Megan Wilson and trained by Shawn McDonough.
Drew Monti was the leading driver on Wednesday, scoring a grand slam during the night. Monti won with Naked Truth (1:58.2, $4.10), Millie’s Spirit (1:59, $13.60), Madison Queen (1:58.4, $3.90) and Mako Me rich (1:58.2, $8.60).
On the training side, Chris Petrelli also had a big night. He saw three from his stable go for win pictures, namely Artistic Spirit (1:57.2, $3.60), the aforementioned Mako Me Rich and Michelle’s Jazz (1:57.1, $5.20).
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (October 18) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $4,287 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Nimble New Zealand-breds took center stage at Batavia Downs as they won the top two paces of the week on Saturday (October 12) night.
In the night’s main event, Vulcan Star N (Kevin Cummings) got his second straight at The Downs in the $13,000 Open Handicap pace.
Vulcan Star N sat second behind Livonjaxandqueens (Jim McNeight Jr.) through quarters of :27.4, :57.1 and 1:25.1 while post time favorite Lip Reader N (Drew Monti) applied outside pressure to three-quarters. Lip Reader N’s bid fell apart in the final turn, leaving Livonjaxandqueens in front by 1-½ lengths heading into the stretch. But Cummings tipped Vulcan Star N off his cover and aggressively drove him down the lane to eventually catch Livonjaxandqueens by a head in the shadow of the wire in 1:54.
Vulcan Star N ($16.80) is owned by his trainer Mike Deters, in partnership with Joel Warner, John Spindler and Michael Paulson.
Then in the $12,000 Open II pace, Melanion N (Drew Monti) turned a second-half move into a romp at the line.
Melanion N got away fourth as Carrythetorchman (Joe Chindano Jr.) led to the half in :56.1. That is where Monti pulled Melanion N into the breeze and started a methodic march towards the leader. Incrementally reeling in Carrythetorchman up the backside, Melanion N drew alongside his target in the last bend and edged ahead of Carrythetorchman as they straightened for home. From there, Melanion N bolted to the wire as Monti sat chilly and won by 4-¼ lengths in 1:53 , giving the gelding a new lifetime mark.
Melanion N ($3.20) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Dr. Michael Miller. Maria Rice trains the winner.
Horse people scoring two wins on Saturday include drivers John Cummings Jr., Kevin Cummings, Kyle Cummings, Drew Monti and Kyle Swift and trainer Maria Rice.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (October 16) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $3,618 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Junior WR/LB Mark Caparco - 25-Yard TD Reception, 1 INT on Defense
Junior TE/DL Nick Scott - 30 Receiving Yards, 5 Tackles, 1 TFL
"A complete team effort in today's win," said Coach Tyler Winter. "From a competitive standpoint, it's nice to pick up a big win like this while knowing we still have not played our best ball yet this season. We have a quick turnaround to the next challenge, but we are excited to get back to the grind."
Strong wind gusts on Batavia's homecoming night at Van Detta Stadium played havoc with offensive schemes leading to a scoreless first half and only one touchdown over the full four quarters.
The Blue Devils beat the Eastridge Lancers 7-0.
Bronx Buchholz was 9-17 passing for 60 yards and one TD. He was intercepted twice. He gained 61 yards on 17 carries.
Maggio Buchholz had five receptions for 23 yards and a TD.
Uneven Bars: 1. Ella Lamberson (Corning): 7.85, 2. Roan Finn (Genesee): 7.05, 3. Sophia Matthews (Genesee): 6.25, 4. Edison Betances (Genesee): 6.15, 5. Emma Cooper (Genesee): 6.05, 6. Carsyn Good (Genesee): 5.95, 8. Ava Pellegrino (Genesee): 5.1
Balance Beam: 1. Roan Finn (Genesee): 8.8, 3. Mikayla Yohon (Genesee): 7.2, 6. Emma Cooper (Genesee): 6.725, 7. Nee'Kay Smith (Genesee): 6.5, 8. Sophia Matthews (Genesee): 6.05, 10. Chloe Garner (Genesee): 5.55
Floor Exercise: 1. Roan Finn (Genesee): 8.575, 4. Sophia Matthews (Genesee): 7.25, 5. Mikayla Yohon (Genesee): 7.05, 6. Lei St.Clair (Genesee): 6.75, 7. Carsyn Good (Genesee): 6.7, 13. Emma Cooper (Genesee): 6.25
The next meet is: Friday, Oct. 18 at MCA Gymnastics Club at 6:30 p.m. It is Senior Night, honoring: Kendall Chase, Roan Finn, Lei St.Clair & Mikayla Yohon
A pair of $9,500 conditioned trots were featured Friday (October 11) at Batavia Downs on a night that saw winds gusting over 40 mph down the lane.
In the first contest, All About Thechase (Jim McNeight Jr.) sat second while Franks Watching (Ray Fisher Jr.) did all the heavy lifting during the mile. After getting to the half in 1:02.2, Franks Watching was under siege from Slayin Theday Away (Drew Monti) from the half to three-quarters, who was joined by Famous Dan (Kevin Cummings) moving three-wide in the final turn. But it was the tripping All About Thechase who quietly ducked into the passing lane and out-trotted them all to the line where he won by a neck in 2:01.3.
It was the second win in a row for All About Thechase ($11.20) who is owned by the Caprio Stable and trained by Alana Caprio.
The second group saw the off-time favorite Skyway Professor (Dave McNeight III) get away sixth early. But he also got underway quickly at three-eighths in pursuit of the loose leader Rough Tuff Tested (Jim McNeight Jr.), who was rolling to the half in :59. Skyway Professor advanced to second on the outside next to Hellrider (Mike Caprio), but was still 2-3/4 lengths behind the leader at three-quarters. However Skyway Professor started cutting into that lead around the last turn and drew alongside Rough Tuff Tested in the stretch. From there, Skyway Professor got the advantage in deep stretch and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.1.
It was the ninth win of the year for Skyway Professor ($4.00) who is owned by the Out In The Country Stable and Daniel Tybor and trained by Jim Rothfuss.
Driver Joe Chindano Jr. had a grand slam during the night, winning with Arrakis (2:00.4, $3.90), Run Like Hill (2:01, $3.70), Lootable (1:56.1, $83.00) and Tidal shark (1:58.1, $2.90). Arrakis and Run Like Hill were trained by Francis Guillemette, who led all conditioners for wins on Friday.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (October 12) with post time at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $641 carryover in the Pick-5 in the first race and also a $3,207 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 12th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Volunteers Needed! Come on down to the ballpark this Sunday, October 13 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., and help the Batavia Youth Baseball Board with some fall cleanup. We will be organizing and cleaning to get ready for winter hibernation before we're back in swing (pun intended) next season!
Check out the Tent Sale from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. for any baseball apparel, gear, and accessories that are being cleared out from inventory.
Any volunteers interested in helping can show up at MacArthur Park on Denio Street, Batavia, this coming Sunday, October 13, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.