Sports

One five-horse field of 2-year-old trotting males lined up for $102,500 in the New York Sire Stakes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 21) evening and BJM’s Lil Man was solid from start to finish and grabbed the winner’s share of the purse.

Driver Tyler Buter put BJM’s Lil Man right on the point and became a passenger for the ride. With no opposition from behind and under no urging whatsoever, BJM’s Lil Man put up solid fractions of :28.2, :58.4 and 1:27.4 before making his way into the final turn. With Variegated (Braxton Boyd) and Karinchak (Mark Macdonald) trying to make inroads, BJM’s Lil Man turned for home unbothered by their challenge and trotted away to a 1-3/4 length victory in 1:57.1.

It was the fifth win in the last six outings for BJM’s Lil Man ($3.50) and it pushed his career earnings to $146,700 for owner Joseph Meaney. John Berger trains the colt by Devious Man-Vixen who was bred by Donald La Page.

There were also two $20,000 Excelsior trots for freshman colts and geldings on the card.

The first went to Low Inside (Devious Man-Nowerland Kristen) who won in 2:01.1 for trainer/driver Dan Daley for owners Ann-Mari Daley, Todd Van Alstyne and Margaret Waterbury. Cherry Hill Farm bred the winner.

The second was won by Habanero Blues (E L Titan-Habanero Honey) who trotted the mile in 1:59.4 for driver Tyler Buter, trainer Travis Alexander and owner/breeder Fiddler’s Creek Stable.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Aug. 23) at 6 p.m.

On Saturday (Aug. 24), Batavia Downs will host its biggest card of the meet which includes two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters of both genders that total $233,300 and the $100,000 Kane Memorial pace with some of the best older Open male pacers in north America. The card has a total purse value of over a half million dollars and has the capacity to produce a new all time track record.

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 finest group of pacers ever assembled to compete at Batavia Downs will go to post in the $100,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace on Saturday (August 24). The top-flight field of eight has a combined lifetime earnings of just under $6.5 million and include millionaires Hellabalou, Covered Bridge, and Desperate Man.

Hellabalou ($1,446,071) won the $457,000 MGM Borgotta final at Yonkers Raceway in April and is coming off a lifetime-best 1:48.3 effort at Harrah’s Philadelphia on August 4. He is also currently the second richest older male pacer in North America.

Covered Bridge ($1,344,523) is the defending Kane Memorial Pace champion after winning this race in 1:52 at The Downs last year. He comes into this race -- as he did in 2023 -- after winning the $100,000 Gold Cup and Saucer at Red Shores in 1:50.4, making him a two-time champion there as well. Covered Bridge is also the winningest horse in this field with 51 career victories.

Desperate Man ($1,270,279) was the 2021 $790,000 North American Cup winner in his lifetime best 1:49.3 at Woodbine Mohawk Park where he defeated Bulldog Hanover, Perfect Sting and Abuckabett Hanover. Earlier this year, he won all four of his legs in the MGM Borgotta before finishing third in the $457,000 final. Since then he has owned the Invitation at Yonkers where he’s won his last four starts there, including his last two outings coming into the Kane.

Also in the race is Coaches Corner, who is coming off a 19-win season last year and is currently the highest earning older pacer of either gender in North America ($435,345). Those earnings were driven by one win and four second place finishes in the MGM Borgotta legs and a second place finish in that final to Hellabalou this spring. He also won the $250,000 Joe Gerrity Memorial at Saratoga Raceway in a lifetime best-tying 1:49.3 in July.

Rocknroll Runa A has won a total of 20 races and earned just shy of $500,000 in his two years of racing in North America since being imported from Australia and only three weeks ago, took his lifetime mark of 1:47.3 at the Meadowlands while winning the $220,000 Sam McKee Memorial pace. He finished seventh in the Kane at Batavia last year, but did win at The Downs in 1:51.2 last September, which was his only Batavia victory in six tries to date.

Buzzsaw Russ is a Hoosier Park invader that has been throwing some very big miles in Indiana. Most recently back-to-back wins in 1:48 and change before finishing second in the $315,000 Dan Patch at Hoosier in 1:49.2 and second in the $100,000 #Senditin Invitational that went in 1:48 at Scioto Downs. He did race in the $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial at Northfield Park in 2023 and finished third while pacing in 1:49 flat, and that was his only lifetime start over a half mile track.

Natameri comes in off very solid back-to-back wins at Saratoga Raceway and Tioga Downs and took his seasonal mark of 1:49 at Plainridge Park earlier this summer. He is just shy of having a 50% win percentage lifetime as he has won 23 of his 50 career outings.

Typhoon Banner N Strung four consecutive wins through June and July at Mohegan Sun Pocono and Yonkers and took his lifetime mark of 1:48.4 at Pocono as well this year. Bongiorno is no stranger to Batavia as he won the 2022 edition of the Kane with American Dealer N in 1:50.2, which still stands as the current all-time track pacing record at Batavia Downs.

Here is the complete draw with post positions:

1. Buzzsaw Russ John De Long Melissa Essig
2. Coaches Corner Jason Bartlett Per Engblom
3. Desperate Man Matt Kakaley Travis Alexander
4. Rocknroll Runa A Larry Stalbaum Larry Stalbaum
5. Covered Bridge Jordan Stratton Jeffrey Gillis
6. Typhoon Banner N Joe Bongiorno Joe Bongiorno
7. Hellabalou Jim Morrill Jr. Ron Burke
8. Natameri Jason Bartlett Jessica Okusko

Saturday’s card will also feature the New York sire Stakes 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters and 3-year-old filly trotters who will each go one division for purses totaling $233,300 and four $20,000 Excelsior trots. With the overnight features, the 15-race card purse value is over $500,000.

The Kane Memorial will go as race 10 with post time at 9 p.m. The NYSS events are carded as races eight and 11 with post times of 8:20 p.m. and 9:20 p.m. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.

Free programs can be downloaded at bataviadownsgaming.com under the live racing tab. 

The New York Sire Stakes returns to Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 21) and brings with it a field of five first-year male trotters who will compete in one dash valued at $102,500.

The most successful horse in the field is BJM’s Little Man (Devious Man-Vixen) who has won four of six lifetime starts with one third, has amassed $95,450 as a result and has a lifetime mark of 1:56.4 at Tioga Downs. However only one of those wins was in a NYSS event while three came in Excelsior action. And that third place finish in his last outing came at the hands of two of his rivals who he will also face again in this race.

BJM's Lil Man, who drew post three, is trained by John Berger and has regular driver Tyler Buter back aboard.

Karinchak (Chapter Seven-Sianna Hanover) has started in seven NYSS races this year and has only one win as well. But that came in his last start where he defeated BJM's Lil Man at Monticello Raceway. The win time of 1:59.2 was also his lifetimark and he comes into this race in top form and looking to repeat.

Mark Macdonald will drive from post two for trainer Ray Schnittker.

Variegated (Chapter Seven-White Cheetah) finished second in that race at Monticello behind Karinchak and ahead of BJM's Lil Man, and it was his second straight second place finish as well. And although he has not won a race all year, he has also not missed a check in his five lifetime starts and has been very competitive in all of his outings.

Braxton Boyd will sit between the wheels for trainer Marcus Melander from post four.

The NYSS competition is carded as race six. There are also two $20,000 Excelsior trots that will go as race seven and eight. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.

Free full card past performance programs for Wednesday, as well as every live card of racing at Batavia, can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab.

Co-features valued at $13,500 each topped the card at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug.17) night and the victorious parties of both events were no stranger to the winner’s circle.

First in the Open trot, Treasured Tee (Joe Chindno Jr.) tripped out to his second consecutive score at this level.

Crazy Ritz (Jim McNeight Jr,) was the leader through fractions of :28.3, :59 and 1:28.1 while Treasured Tee followed each step from the pocket and nobody from behind made any aggressive moves. At three-quarters, Chindano pulled Treasured Tee and matched strides with Crazy Ritz around the last turn and into the stretch. Then five pylons in, Treasured Tee bolted and won by a length in 1:57.

It was the eighth win of the year for Treasured Tee ($8.80) who is owned by his trainer Francis Guillemette in partnership with Stephane Geoffroy.

Two races later in the Open Handicap pace, The Longest Yard (Jim Morrill Jr.) went to the front and hung on in a squeaker.

The Longest Yard took control off the gate while Lip Reader A (Drew Monti) dropped in second for the mile. The Longest Yard set solid fractions of :28, :57.2 and 1:26 with Lip Reader A breathing down his neck and the rest of the field trying to keep pace. Lip Reader A tipped coming off the last turn and drew even with The Longest Yard as the pair hooked up in a duel to the wire. Lip Reader A tried hard, but The Longest Yard refused to lose and hung on by a neck in 1:54.1..

That made it two in a row for The Longest Yard ($4.30) and pushed him over the $300,000 mark in lifetime earnings ($303,468) for owner Mike Torcello, Sam Smith trains the winner.

Drivers Jim Morrill Jr. and Joe Chindano Jr. each had a grand slam in the bike while trainers Sam Smith and James Rothfuss won three races apiece.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 21) 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.

The Last Martini served up the first career loss to Cowgirl Hanover after she went gate to wire in the lone $102,500 division of the New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday (Aug. 14) evening at Batavia Downs.

Sent off as the prohibitive 1-9 betting favorite, Cowgirl Hanover (Doug McNair) got away third as stablemate The Last Martini (Jason Bartlett) grabbed the lead and got to the quarter in :29. With the short field following in single file, Bartlett throttled down the half even more to a :59.1 saunter and still didn’t get any opposition from behind until well into the second circuit.

Halfway up the backstretch, McNair finally pulled Cowgirl Hanover, who quickly made her way to second in a now up tempo 28 flat third panel. As the pair made their way around the last turn, Cowgirl Hanover got to within one-half length of The Last Martini, but that would be as close as she would get. The Last Martini paced furiously down the lane and refused to give up any ground at all to Cowgirl Hanover and won by one-half length in a 1:54.4 mile that featured a :27.3 final quarter.

It was the second straight win for The Last Martini ($19.80) and it pushed her earnings to $110,399 for owner Glenview Livestock. Jared Bako trains the winner who was bred by Crawford Farms.

There were also four $20,000 Excelsior stakes on the card and these are the winners in order of race.

Huntingfortreasure (Huntsville-Worldly Treasure) won in 1:57.4 for driver Mark Macdonald, trainer Ray Schnittker and owner/breeder Steve Jones.

Fashion Terror (Huntsville-High Fashion Model) won in 1:58.1 for driver Jason Bartlett, trainer Mark Ford and owner/breeder All Star Racing.

Beantown Deuce (Huntsville-Don’t Think Twice A) won in 1:58.2 for driver Brett Beckwith, trainer George Ducharme and owner Michael Goldberg, who bred the filly with Andrew Harris.

Fansville (Huntsville-Caviart Elena) won in 1:55 for driver Jason Bartlett, trainer Joe Bongiorno and owner Chain Lightning Stables. Eric Tadeo bred the winner.

Jason Bartlett added one overnight victory and ended his night with a grand slam in the bike.

Another big winner on Wednesday was Huntsville, who sired all five NYSS and Excelsior winners and also 10 of the 15 horses who hit the board in those same five races.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 17) 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.

Dave McNeight III, aka “Triple Sticks”, doubled his nickname on Tuesday (Aug. 13) night after he struck six wins on his opponents at Batavia Downs. McNeight won with Italia Seelster (1:57.2, $4.00), Arco N (1:56.3, $3.50), Molly Kool (1:56.2, $12.40), Arnold (2:00.2, $17.20), Alexander Hanover (2:01, $10.20) and Bettor B Sawyer (1:57.3, $10.20). And from the 12 races he drove in, McNeight also finished second three times and third once, giving himself a stellar .667 UDR for the evening.

McNeight started the night in sixth place for wins among all drivers at the Downs for the current meet and jumped past Joe Chindano Jr. (9) and Drew Monti (10) into fourth with his current count (12) and now sits right behind Jim McNeight Jr. (13). The top two drivers are Jim Morrill Jr. (19) and Kevin Cummings (14).

The one race McNeight didn’t win was the $13,500 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares that went to Tioga Downs based Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings) who made her second start at Batavia Downs a winning one as she wreaked havoc on her opponents.

Won Surreal Deal took the lead off the gate before momentarily yielding to Summer Lovin (Kevin Cummings) at the :28 quarter. But as soon as that one cleared, Won Surreal Deal was out again and charged back to the front, where she would remain for the rest of the mile. Won Surreal Deal kept the pace honest to the half in :56.4 but then turned on the heat up the backstretch, where she pulled away to a three length lead as she passed three-quarters in 1:25 flat. Around the last turn, Won Surreal Deal kept tightening the screws and entered the lane on top by 4-½ lengths. As she made her way down the stretch, Won Surreal Deal swelled up and torched the field by seven wrapped-up lengths and tripped the light in 1:53.4.

It was the third win of the year for Won Surreal Deal ($5.50) who is owned by Parsimonious Stable and trained by Jeff Sorenson.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Aug. 13) 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.

Wednesday (August 14) night at Batavia Downs, one five horse field consisting of 2-year-old pacing fillies will line up in the New York sire Stakes for their shot at the winner’s share of the $102,500 purse that is available for this small but select group.

Headlining that field is Cowgirl Hanover (Huntsville-Code One Hanover) who comes in undefeated lifetime and is anticipated to be the prohibitive post time favorite.

Cowgirl Hanover has been peerless in her first five career starts, all of which were victories in NYSS events by as many as three open lengths. Her 1:53.3 lifetime best effort at Yonkers on July 11 came despite dealing with broken equipment at the end of the race. She is the leader in points (250) and earnings ($207,500) in her division of the NYSS and will certainly add to those totals here.

Trainer Jared Bako will have Doug McNair between the wheels again and they will depart from post one on Wednesday.

One of Cowgirl Hanover’s main threats appears to come from her stablemate and another Bako trainee, The Last Martini (Huntsville-Martinique) who is coming off a lifetime mark (1:54.1) of her own last week at Saratoga Raceway. She has two less starts than the rest of this field this year, but seems to be rounding into form nicely off that last outing.

The Last Martini will have Jason Bartlett at the lines and they will start right next to Cowgirl Hanover in post two.

Another one to watch here is Send It Down Slim (Huntsville-Rockinsangria), who has not missed the board in five NYSS starts with two wins, two seconds and one third. And those efforts have her sitting second for points (162) and earnings ($120,581) behind Cowgirl Hanover. But she has also lost to both Cowgirl Hanover and The Last Martini in her last two starts, despite having post one in both outings. Here she drew post five, but her gate speed may very well give her the advantage she needs anyway.

Trainer Ray Schnittker once again has Mark Macdonald in the bike, who has driven this filly all year.

The New York Sire Stake event will go as race six. There are also four, $20,000 Excelsior stakes that are carded as races two, four, eight and 10. Post time for the first race on Wednesday is 6 p.m.

Driver Kevin Cummings had his biggest night of the meet so far at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 10) evening after winning a total of five races on the program. His most notable victory came in the $13,500 Open Handicap pace with The Longest Yard, who closed late for the win.

Vel Mr. Nice Guy (Joe Chindano Jr.) cut the mile while The Longest Yard sat chilly in the garden spot with the trip. After the race passed the half in a tepid :57, Melanion N (Drew Monti) pulled first-over in turn three and marched towards the leader up the backstretch. After the pace picked up with a 1:25.2 third quarter, Melanion N got to within a length of Vel Mr. Nice Guy and closed that gap a bit more in the far turn.

When the group straightened out for home, The Longest Yard shook loose at the pylons and the three horses dashed to the wire. In deep stretch, Vel Mr. Nice Guy faded but Melanion N and The Longest Yard forged ahead and hit the light in unison, taking a photo to determine that The Longest Yard won by a nose in 1:53.3.

It was the fourth win of the year for The Longest Yard ($3.60) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.

Cummings’ other wins came with Better Take It (1:54.3, $4.60) and Ys Lotus (1:55.4, $3.60) who were also owned by Torcello and trained by Smith, with Kyuquot (1:57.4, $6.60) and Thor De Vie (1:56.2, $2.30) rounding out his quintuple.

The co-featured $13,500 Open I-II Handicap trot was won by Treasured Tee (Joe Chindano Jr.) who led from start to finish. After stopping the clock at :27.4, :58.2 and 1:27.4, Treasured Tee rounded the final bend and then headed for home, stretching out to a 1-½ length upset victory in 1:57.4.

It was the seventh win of the year for Treasured Tee ($29.20) who is owned by Stephane Geoffroy and Francis Guillemette, who also trains the winner.

Chindano had a solid night in the bike himself after scoring a hat trick. One of those three wins was Keystone Doral, who was last at three-quarters before circling the field to win by 1-½ lengths in 1:57.4 at 49-1. Keystone Doral paid $100.50 to win.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Aug. 13) at 6 p.m. and there will be a $1,902 carryover in the Pick-5 in the first race and a $280 carryover in the Super Hi-5 in race 13.

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 $105,000 New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old male pacers were at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 7) and both divisions were won by heavy favorites.

The first $52,500 division went to Thirsty Thursday (Huntsville-Tequila Monday) who equaled his lifetime mark with an impressive outing.

Thirsty Thursday (Matt Kakaley) took the lead from Courts On Fire (Greg Merton) passing the :28.4 quarter and never looked back from there. After getting to the half in :57.4, Thirsty Thursday faced challenges from Oogleville (Jason Bartlett) and Holt Hanover (Mark Macdonald) going to three-quarters, but he turned back both by the top of the lane. As they straightened for home, Thirsty Thursday was under Kakaley wraps and coasted home clean in 1:54.3.

Thirsty Thursday ($2.30) is now three for three lifetime for owners/breeders Flying A Racing Stable and Chuck Pompey. Travis Alexander trains the winning colt.

The second $52,500 split went to Fast Choice (Courtly Choice-Fashion Guru) who also remained undefeated.

Fast Choice (Doug McNair) got away third as Groovin Will (Greg Merton) marched to the half in a very pedestrian 1:01. As the race advanced to the five-eighths, Fast Choice pulled first-over and cleared the front in a :28.2 third panel. From there, Fast Choice bolted home on top by two lengths in a :27.2 closer to win in 1:56.4.

It was the third straight win for Fast Choice ($3.40) who is owned by Ashley Bako and Randy Zane and trained by Jared Bako. Winbak Farm bred the winner.

There were also three $20,000 Excelsior stakes on the card.

The first was won by Southpaw (American Ideal-Love You Bye) in 1:57.1 for driver/trainer/owner/breeder Jimmy Whittemore.

The second went to Digging For Gold (Huntsville-Gold Orchid N) in 1:56.3, driven by Tyler Buter for trainer George Ducharme who co-owns with Jim Winske and Dr. Megan Moschgat. Bamq bred the winner.

The third was won by Invictus (Huntsville-Dark Force) in 1:56.4, driven by Jim Morrill jr. for trainer Roland Mallar and owner Jeffrey Nanna. James Crawford IV bred the winner.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 10) 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.

After winning on the front-end just last week, Center Attraction completely changed strategies but still got the same results in the $13,500 Open pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Aug. 6) evening.

Jim McNeight Jr. got away last with Center Attraction while Imprincessgemma A (Shawn McDonough) was on the point, jousting with Forgot Thewallet A (Kyle Swift) through quarters of :27.2 and :55.3 over a rain affected track listed as good. When the race came out of turn three, the field started to bunch and Center Attraction had made her way to fifth, second-over on the outside.

Forgot Thewallet A stalled at three-quarters so Center Attraction tipped three-deep around her in the last turn. At the top of the lane, Center Attraction drew even with Imprincessgemma A and then confidently pulled away to the line where she won by a length in 1:56.1.

It was the third win of the year for Center Attraction ($10.80) who is owned by her trainer Robert Anderson, in partnership with Pamela Schieber.

Leading all drivers for wins on Tuesday were Joe Chindano Jr., who had a natural hat trick in races one, two and three and Dave McNeight III, who matched Chindano's output with a natural hat trick of his own in races eight, nine and 10.  

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 7) 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.

The New York Sire Stakes return to Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 7) and will feature 2-year-old male pacers that will go in two divisions for a total purse of $105,000. The 12 pacers will feature two undefeated leaders in the NYSS as well as both holding national ranking.

Travis Alexander’s Thirsty Thursday (Huntsville-Tequila Monday) and Jared Bakos’ Fast Choice (Courtly Choice-Fashion Guru) are mirror images of each other. They are both undefeated with two wins in two lifetime starts that both came in NYSS action with identical best winning times of 1:54.3. And this has them both tied in first for points (100) and earnings ($77,300) in their NYSS category so far this year. Their earnings currently also have them tied as the fifth richest 2-year-old male pacers in North America. And finally, neither one of them raced last week in the NYSS contest at Monticello Raceway.

Since both are undefeated, they have obviously never gone head to head in a race yet and that will be the case once again on Wednesday.

Thirsty Thursday will be in the first $52,500 division and has drawn post two for regular driver Matt Kakaley and the competition will be looking to hand him his first loss.

Courts On Fire (Courtly Choice-Ashlee’s Spitfire) has not missed the board in three career starts, having finished one-two-three in NYSS action to this point. He took his lifetime mark of 1:55.3 just last week at Monticello in a convincing 2-1/4 length romp as the heavy favorite. He is currently third for points (87) and earnings ($54,183) and will look to improve that position here.

Blake Macintosh has Greg Merton aboard from post three.

Meltdown Monte (Huntsville-Sage N) is winless this year but has finished third in two NYSS starts. He has shown to be quite versatile in those two outings and drawing post one will definitely help his chances.

Tyler Buter will steer for trainer Scott Di Domenico.

Fast Choice will start from post one in the second $52,500 split with Doug McNair at the lines. He is coming off a scratch last week at Monticello but will look to regain his momentum against some tough competition.

Silent Weapon (Huntsville-D D Delightful) has hit the board in all three of his lifetime starts and is coming off a 6-1/2 length, 1:54.4 runaway victory at Monticello in NYSS action. He certainly looks like he has just hit his stride and will be more than formidable in this race.

Matt Kakaley will steer for this other Alexander-trained entry and will start from post four.

Groovin Will (Roll With Joe-Who Moved The Rock) won his last start in Excelsior action at Monticello and it was an impressive 1:54.1 lifetime best. He makes the leap to the NYSS here, but does it off the best race of his life and he should be considered a threat.

Trainer Blake Macintosh has Greg Merton between the wheels, who piloted him to victory last week.

The NYSS are carded as race six and eight. There are also three $20,000 Excelsior events programmed as race two, four and 10. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m. 

A pair of $13,500 Open Handicaps – one on the pace and one on the trot – highlighted the Saturday (Aug. 3) night card at Batavia Downs and both events provided exciting finishes.

In the pacing feature, Stranger Things (Jim Morrill Jr.) tripped out to victory with a fast finish.

Vel Mr. Nice Guy (Joe Chindano Jr.) and Stranger Things lined up one-two off the gate and skated through very soft fractions of :28.2 and :58.2 before Scribblers (Kyle Swift) led the charge on the outside heading into turn three. Chindano picked up the pace with Vel Mr. Nice Guy with a :27.4 third quarter and that erased Scribblers advance. But as that one faded around the final bend, it gave Stranger Things a clear path from the pocket to the middle of the track. At the top of the stretch, Morrill simply loose-lined Stranger Things who then just paced right buy Vel Mr. Nice Guy on his own to win by one-half length in 1:54.2.

It was the second win in the last three starts for Stranger Things ($12.80) who is owned by Kathy Schoeffel and James Reuther and trained by Angelo Nappo.

Morrill ended the night with a grand slam in the bike as he also won with Tiger Baron (1:54.3, $2.50), Sleeping Single (1:55.4, $4.80) and Stay Safe (1:59.3, $2.30).

Then in the top trot, Power And Grace (Drew Monti) hung tough late to beat the boys and claim her 65th career victory.

E Street (Kevin Cummings) grabbed the front first and yielded to Power And Grace at the :27.2 quarter. But as soon as she seated, Crazy Ritz (Jim McNeight Jr.) took the lead from her as they trotted past three-eights. But immediately, Monti pulled Power And Grace back out at the half and went back to the top, and this time for good. E Street pulled back out from third in the clubhouse turn and trotted alongside Crazy Ritz in second to three-quarters in 1:26.4. But that bid failed leaving Crazy Ritz clear to take his best shot. He pulled heading into the stretch and incrementally drew alongside Power And Grace. Both horses dug in for the line but Power And Grace was too good and hung on to win in 1:56.4.

It was the ninth win of the year and 65th Lifetime victory for Power And Grace ($6.00) who is owned by Hartel Maintenance, Lormer McClure, Brett Macdonald and Reg Higgs. Ronald Macdonald trains the 9-year-old daughter of Holiday Road-Mark Of Honour who has hit the board in 71% of her 202 career starts and sports a lifetime win percentage of 32%.  

Monti scored the hat trick at the lines after also winning with I’m Already Gone (1:55.3, $13.40) and Maskedman (1:55.4, $4.40).  

Sam Smith led all trainers on Saturday with two wins.

Batavia Downs driving legend Gaston Guindon visited the track on Saturday and he was greeted by throngs of fans who vividly recalled his decades of driving dominance over the Genesee County oval. Guindon topped the local driver colony throughout the 1980’s and 90’s while winning many driving titles there during that time. The native of Buckingham, Quebec that made western New York his home for many years, left an indelible mark on the local harness racing scene while setting a standard of driving excellence that is still revered today. Guindon’s 3,080 wins and $7 million in purses highlighted a career that wrapped up in 2004 when “The Gasser” officially retired.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Aug. 6) at 6 p.m. and there will be a $1,004 carryover in the Super Hi-5 in race 12.

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.

Press Release:

Two $57,000 divisions of New York Sire Stake 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings lined up at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 31) evening and a pair of heavily favored Travis Alexander trainees, Howlenthehills (American Ideal-Arielle Lynn) and Huntingforchrome (Huntsville-All On Top Hanover), who were directed by driver Matt Kakaley, put on impressive performances to secure victories in both contests.

In the first event, Howlenthehills maintained his control from post one and led the field that lined up in post position order through quarters of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:26.1 without any provocations from behind. Halfway through the final turn, Boston Rocks (Jason Bartlett) vacated the garden spot and took his best shot at the leader. But after Boston Rocks got within a length at the top of the stretch, Howlenthehills simply pulled away under a line drive by Kakaley to win in 1:53.3.

It was the third straight win and eighth win in the last nine starts for Howlenthehills ($3.40) who has now earned $268,850 this year for owner Symmetry Stable.

Then in the second split, Huntingforchrome got away last by almost 10 lengths as Vandiemen Bluechip (Braxton Boyd) called the shots on top. While Taranaki (Kevin Cummings) was breathing down his back, Vandiemen Bluechip backed down the half to a tepid :58.3 while stacking up the field before they all entered the third turn.

When the group moved past five-eighths, Brett Beckwith pulled the right line on Ameritric from fourth and Huntingforchrome followed as the pace quickened to three-quarters in :28 flat. Then as they moved through the final bend, Ameritric could not gain ground on Vandiemen Bluechip so Kakaley tipped Huntingforchrome three-high as they entered the stretch. From there, Huntingforchrome closed out a sparkling :26.4 final quarter by bolting for home under no urging whatsoever to win by 1-½ lengths in 1:53.4.

It was the second win in the last four starts for Huntingforchrome ($2.10) who is owned by NY Seb Inc.

Howlenthehills and Huntingforchrome were both bred by Crawford Farms.

There were also three $20,000 Excelsior races on the card and one of them went faster than both NYSS events.

Escape To America (American Ideal-Flirtiscape) won easily in 1:53.1 for driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Deborah Daguet for owners/breeders John Darrah and Lawrence Keethe.

Bruce’s Vo N Coke (Huntsville-Better Chill Out) won in 1:54.1 with Bartlett also in the bike for trainer John Berger and owner/breeder Joe Meany.

Printville (Huntsville-Thumbprint) scored in 1:53.3 for driver Brett Beckwith and trainer George Ducharme for owner Purple Haze Stables. John Newman bred the winner.  

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 3) 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.