Batavia Downs

Jim Morrill Jr. put on a driving clinic at Batavia Downs Saturday night (Nov. 18) winning nine of the 13 races on the card. Morrill’s run included a natural hat trick in races two through four, a natural grand slam in races seven through 10 and victories in both feature races. Morrill also had one third and posted an unbelievable .778 UDR for the night.

Morrill broke his own single night win record of eight that he set back in 2005 at Batavia and was tied a year later by John Cummings Jr.  

Morrill won the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot with E Street, who ran his own personal win streak to four. E Street sat in the pocket behind Crazy Ritz (Jim McNeight Jr.) through quarters of :28.4, :59.3 and 1:29, and then continued to follow until the top of the stretch. It was there Morrill dipped into the passing lane and let E Street sprint to the line with no urging to win in 1:58.2.

E Street ($3.70) is owned by Elite harness Racing and trained by Rachelle Mungillo.

Morrill’s other feature win was with Venier Hanover in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace. Morrill put Venier Hanover on the point and dominated the field from there. After getting to the half in :56.3 with Parmesan N (Austin Sorrie) and Stranger Things (Jim McNeight Jr.) trying to keep pace, Morrill gave Venier Hanover his head and scorched a :27.3 third panel that put four lengths between him and the rest of the group. Venier Hanover then rounded the last turn and scooted home, wrapped up in 1:54.3.

It was the 52nd career win for Venier Hanover ($4.50) who is owned by Monique Cohen and trained by Shawn McDonough.

Morrill completed his nonagon with BJ’s Smitty (1:58.3, $14.00), Virgil N (1:54.1, $4.70), Play The Field (1:56.2, $5.50), Prairie Panther (1:55.4, $2.70), Credit List (1:58.2, $3.60) Rebellious (1:56.2, $2.20) -- who registered his 70th lifetime win -- and Vulcan Star N (1:54.4, $9.80).

Morrill started the night as the leading driver at the current Batavia meet with 147 wins, but just four ahead of Kevin Cummings (143). Now Morrill has a double-digit lead after the dust settled Saturday as he now has 156 wins to Cummings 145 (Cummings won two races as well).

Morrill also started the night with the second-highest UDR among all drivers in North America with a .436, just .001 behind J. Brandon Campbell (.437). Morrill may move into first place after Campbell registered a win and two seconds (.704 UDR for the night) in three starts at the Century Mile today in Edmonton, Alberta.

Mike Deters was the top trainer at Batavia on Saturday with three winners, all driven by Morrill.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 22) at 6 p.m. and there will be a $2,113 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.

It’s been seven weeks since Louie The Lilac had her picture taken at Batavia Downs, but that all changed on Wednesday night (Nov. 15) after she easily handled a group of mid-level conditioned mares in the $11,500 feature race.

Kevin Cummings got away fifth with Louie The Lilac as Isla Seelster (Drew Monti) led at the half in :58.1. Bet I’m Lucky (Jim McNeight Jr.) pulled first-over at that station and was followed closely by Louie The Lilac. Bet I’m Lucky grabbed the lead at three-quarters but Louie The Lilac was next in line for the top and took it midway through the last turn. From there, Louie The Lilac paced away to a 3-¼ length victory in 1:55.2.

It was the eighth win of the year for Louie The Lilac ($2.60) and owner Mike Torcello. Sam Smith trains the winner.

Kevin Cummings and Dave McNeight III were the top drivers on Wednesday with three wins each while Sam Smith, Dave Russo and Shawn McDonough all registered two training wins apiece.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 18) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $1,559 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.

Cold, wind and rain set the stage for a sloppy night of racing at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 8) but there was nothing messy about the performance put in by Rightfully Mine, who splashed her way to victory in the $15,000 Open I Distaff Handicap feature.

Rightfully Mine (Jim Morrill Jr.) took the lead from So Amazing (John Cummings Jr.) heading to the quarter, but soon found herself second as So Amazing retook the front past that station. As the race moved to the half, Compassrose De Vie (Todd Ratchford) motored up the outside and joined the fray for the second circuit. Compassrose De Vie and So Amazing raced alongside each other to three-quarters while Rightfully Mine sat the pocket. These three then broke away from the field in the last turn and set the stage for the final eighth. Compassrose De Vie slightly faded at the head of the stretch whilet Rightfully Mine slipped into the passing lane and caught the game So amazing just before the wire to win by a length in 1:57.

It was the third straight win for Rightfully Mine ($3.00) who is owned by Monique Cohen and Anthony Scussel and trained by Shawn McDonough.

Morrill won a total of four races during the card while McDonough had four training wins, two of which he drove, giving him a total of six winners across two categories.

Later in the $11,500 upper-level condition pace for mares, A Black Diamond (Dave McNeight III) got away third in chase of Louie The Lilac (Kevin Cummings) who found favor on the front. McNeight pulled A Black Diamond first-over at the five-eighths, drew even with Louie The Lilac in the last turn, and then bolted home to a 1-¾ length victory in 1:57.3.

It was the fourth straight win for A Black Diamond ($3.90) and owner Lav Racing. Russell Bratt trains the winner.

Driver Kyle Cummings also had a grand slam Wednesday that included a lead-off natural hat trick in races one, two, and three.  

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 11) at 6 p.m. and there will be a $861 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.

Jim Morrill Jr. had a huge night in the bike at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 4) as he won five races that included both features and a natural hat trick in races nine, 10, and 11. 

First in the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot, Morrill sat the pocket with E Street following Ricky B Sharp (Mike Baumeister) who was being hounded by a parked Makadushin N Cheez (Kevin Cummings) for three-quarters of the mile. That bid by Makadushin N Cheez fell by the wayside before the last turn leaving Ricky B Sharp and E Street to battle it out. When the race entered the homestretch, Morrill tipped E Street into the passing lane and trotted right on by the leader to win by a length in 1:56.4.

It was the third straight win for E Street ($13.80) who is owned and trained by Rachelle Mungillo. 

Then in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace, Morrill put Pocono Downs invader Venier Hanover on the point off the gate and never looked back. After setting fractions of :28, :57 and 1:25.1, Venier Hanover took a two-length lead into the lane and never allowed El Jacko (Kyle Swift), who followed him the entire mile, to catch him en route to a 1-¾ length 1:53.2 win.  

It was the 51st lifetime win for Venier Hanover ($2.20) who is owned by owner Monique Cohen. Shawn McDonough was the winning trainer. 

Morrill also won with V J Ranger (1:57.3, $5.30), Vulcan Star N (1;53.3, $4.40), and Just A Wrangler (1:53.1, $2.70) to complete his quintuplet. Morrill also had two seconds and two-thirds from his 10 starts giving him a lofty UDR of .678 for the night. Those wins also increased Morrill's win total for the meet to 138 and catapulted him into a first-place tie for dash driving honors with Kevin Cummings. 

Morrill also sits second for UDR among all drivers in North America with 500 or more starting with a .427 overall for the year. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 8) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $432 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.

There was a pair of $11,500 upper-lever condition races for pacing fillies and mares carded on Wednesday night (Nov. 1) at Batavia Downs and one winner got her first victory at the Downs while the other continued her streak.

The first split went to Mcnatural L (John Cummings Jr.) who sat fifth while the leading Imprincessgemma (Brett Beckwith) was being run by Isla Seelster (Dave McNeight III) in :28.1 and 57 flat. As the duel proceeded up the backstretch Isla Seelster tired, forcing Bad Rossa (Jim Morrill Jr.) three-wide and Mcnatural L followed right behind her. By the top of the stretch, Mcnatural L had drawn even with Imprincessgemma A before bolting home to a 6-¼ length win in 1:55.4.

It was the first win at Batavia but seventh overall this year for Mcnatural L ($17.80) who is owned by El Dorado Stables and trained by Mandy Arrigenna.

In the next group, A Black Diamond (Dave McNeight III) got away third and followed the lead of Louie The Lilac (John Cummings Jr.) until the second circuit. McNeight made a first-over move approaching three-quarters with A Black Diamond and then matched strides with Louie The Lilac into the last turn. By the top of the stretch, A Black Diamond took the lead and scooted home to a 2-¾ length win in 1:55.1.

It was the third straight win and 11th of the year for A Black Diamond ($10.60) who is owned by Lav Racing Stable. Russell Bratt trains the winner.

Brett Beckwith led all drivers at Batavia on Wednesday after he scored a grand slam in the bike.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Nov. 3) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $234 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.

Batavia Downs leading driver Kevin Cummings added a couple more wins to his total for the meet after taking the top two contests at the Genesee County oval on Saturday night (Oct. 28).

After moving up the class ladder with successive wins over the past two weeks with Cummings in the bike, Out On Bail moved into the $13,000 Open II Handicap pace and made it a three-peat for his connections.

Cummings put Out On Bail on the point off the gate and played catch-me-if-you-can from there. After opening up a two-length advantage, Out On Bail stopped the timer quarterly at :27.3, :57.2 and 1:25.2 while increasing his lead to four lengths at that third station. Out On Bail was up by five at the top of the stretch and from there, cruised home to an easy 1:54 victory that established his seasonal mark.

It was the seventh win of the year for Out On Bail ($8.20) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith. Smith finished the night with two training wins.

Then in the $12,500 upper-level conditioned pace, Cummings was also able to assist Stranger Things to his seventh win of the year by making an early move on a runaway leader.

Stranger Things got away fifth as Odds On Delray (Aaron Byron) was busy opening up an eight-length lead at the half. As the race moved into turn three, Cummings was already out and rolling with Stranger Things, who was making up a massive amount of ground on Odds On Delray, who had begun to falter. Stranger Things took the lead and crossed over to the pegs at three-quarters and Cummings rocked him all the way around the far turn. Then at the top of the stretch, Cummings kept Stranger Things on task with moderate urging to the wire where he won by 1-¾ lengths in 1:53.3.

Stranger Things ($2.60) is owned by Kathey Schoeffel, Virginia Schoeffel, and James Reuther and trained by Angel Nappo.

Jim McNeight Jr., Jim Morrill Jr., Drew Monti, and Austin Sorrie all joined Kevin Cummings by winning two races during the card.

The litany of longshots at Batavia Downs continued in race 11 on Saturday after 82-1 Silverhill Blaze (Austin Sorrie) followed fast fractions from fifth of :26.3 and :54.4 set by Mighty Santana N (Jim Morrill Jr.) before finding open road in the passing lane to upset at the wire in 1:55 and pay $167.00 for a $2 win bet.

Another big payout came when the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta was hit in race 13 as a single unique combination of 1-5-9-7-6- returned $1,929.30 for a 20-cent wager.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 1) at 6 p.m.

Free full 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 making his last three starts without a win at Saratoga Raceway, Makadushin N Cheez found his way back to western New York and picked up where he left off, winning the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 27).

Right after the front-running, Mugshots Bro (Jim McNeight Jr.) torched a :27.4 quarter, Makadushin N Cheez (Kevin Cummings) pulled from fifth and flushed I Got The Looks (Dan Yetman) and then followed his cover all the way to three-quarters. As they trotted into turn four, Cummings tipped Makadushin N Cheez three wide and cleared the front by the top of the stretch. As he motored down the lane, Makadushin N Cheez was all wrapped up on his way to a 2-¼ length win in 1:57.1.

The seventh win of 2023 for Makadushin N Cheez ($3.40) pushed his earnings for the year to $102,242 for owners Joe D'Agostino, Molly D'Agostino, Phil Kadushin and Dave Dewhurst, who also trains the winner.

In the secondary featured $13,000 Open II Handicap trot, E Street (Jim Morrill Jr.) sat second behind Showme Some Muscle (Justin Huckabone) through very even quarters of :29, :59.1 and 1:29, that last station where Golden Kronos (Drew Monti) got into the mix. After circling the final turn, Morrill shook loose with E Street and trotted by Showme Some Muscle while fending off Golden Kronos to win by two lengths in 1:58.

It was the second straight win for E Street ($3.80) who is owned and trained by Rachelle Mungillo.

Although both features were won by prohibitive favorites, bettors were treated to a magnificent payoff in the fifth race on Friday. Cash N Chrome (Ray Fisher Jr.) was overlooked from post eight but he overcame the wide start to win in 1:59.1 and return $173.00 for a $2 win wager.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 28) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $1,011 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.

Center Attraction has raced 11 times at Batavia Downs coming into her start on Wednesday (Oct. 25) and has not cut a mile since her first outing back on July 26 when she won by 2-¾ lengths. Ten starts later, Center Attraction was back on the point and simply mauled her competition in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace for fillies and mares.

Jim McNeight Jr. flew from post five with Center Attraction and opened up a quick three lengths at the :27.4 quarter. With the rest of the field trying to stay close, Center Attraction kept on rolling and extended her lead to four lengths at three-quarters after a stiff :28 third panel. McNeight rounded the last turn and headed for home without any opposition and Center Attraction stretched out by 5-¼ lengths at the light where she won in 1:53.4 and took a new lifetime mark.

It was the seventh win of the year for Center Attraction ($2.90) who has now earned $66,814 this year for owners Pamela Schieber and Robert Anderson, who also trains the mare.

One race later in the $11,500 mid-level condition for distaff side-wheelers, A Black Diamond (Kevin Cummings) left from post six and ducked-in second where she sat a cozy pocket trip behind Its Mesmerise A (Kyle Swift) through quarters of :26.4, :56 and 1:25.1 before she continued to trip-out around the last turn to the top of the stretch. There, Cummings dipped into the passing lane with A Black Diamond and blew right by Its Mesmerise A by 2-¼ lengths to win in 1:55.1.

It was the 10th victory of the year for A Black Diamond ($10.60) who is owned by Lav Racing Stable and trained by Russell Bratt.

Wednesday’s driving leader was Jim Morrill Jr. who had a grand slam while Shawn McDonough topped the trainers with a hat trick of his own.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 27) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $656 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.

There was an obvious front-end speed bias at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 21) and the winners of the top two paces took full advantage of that route to victory. 

In the $15,000 Open I Handicap, Joesstar Of Mia A (Jim Morrill Jr.) overcame interference by the breaking Avion Seelster (Dave McNeight III) in the first turn and made his way to the front at the quarter in :27.1. From there, the field stayed single file until three-quarters where Stranger Things (Kevin Cummings) had made his way to second and was at the leader’s tail. Stranger Things bid folded in the final turn leaving the tripping Mirragon A (Austin Sorrie) the only horse left with a shot. But Morrill closed that door as well and he urged Joesstar Of Mia A to the line on top by 1-¼ lengths in 1:53.

Joesstar Of Mia A ($4.90) is owned by Dowse Racing and is trained by Gareth Dowse. It was one of three wins for Dowse on the card. 

Morrill would go on to win five more races to take a six-pack home with him on Saturday. Beside Joesstar Of Mia A, Morrill also won with Parmesan N (1:54.4, $3.10), Epic Ace (1:52.2, $3.60), Angelo J Fra (1:57, $5.30), Odds On Delray (1:54.2, $2.70) and Runrunjimmydunn N (1:54, $2.10). Morrill was only scheduled to drive in seven races on Saturday and he won five consecutive before finishing out in his sixth assignment. Morrill’s UDR for the night was .857. 

Another Saturday gate-to-wire effort was turned in by Big Chic Magnet (Dave McNeight III) in the undercard feature $13,000 Open II pace.

McNeight had Big Chic Magnet pacing sharply on the lead and amassed a 2-½ length bulge at the quarter in :28. As the race passed the stands the first time, Gunslinger Hanover (Drew Monti) came with a rush and made his way to second, crossing over to the pegs at three-quarters. However, this challenge didn’t phase the leader as Big Chic Magnet rounded turn four in full flight and dashed home on top by 2-¼ lengths to win in 1:54.1. 

Big Chic Magnet ($19.40) is owned by EVM Racing and Rodney Long. David Russo trains the winner. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 25) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $408 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.

Since coming into trainer Mike Deters’ barn in September, Burn Notice has had a reversal of fortunes that have seen him not finish off the board in five starts. And his class ascent continued at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 20) after he won the $15,000 Open I Handicap trotting feature.

Jim Morrill Jr. put Burn Notice on the point and was peerless for the rest of the mile. Burn Notice went moderate quarters of :28.3, :58 and 1:27 and only the pocket-sitting Lunar Credit (Jim McNeight Jr.) was close enough to make a bid. However even he was overmatched to make a run as Burn Notice turned for home and peeled away by 2-½ lengths in a 1:57.1 romp.

Scoring his third win in his last six starts, Burn Notice ($7.70) continued his recent success for owners Deters, Joel Warner, and John Manning.

One race earlier in the $13,000 Open II Handicap trot, 22-1 outsider Ricky Be Sharp (Mike Baumeister) got away fifth, and 12 lengths behind the front running Discus Hanover (Kevin Cummings) who was the prohibitive post time favorite. As the race moved around turn three and approached three-quarters, Ricky Be Sharp followed the outside lead of BJ Laredo (Jim McNeight Jr.) until the top of the stretch where Baumeister tipped him three deep into the center of the track. From there, Ricky Be Sharp flew to the wire under a line drive and won by a length in 1:59.

Ricky Be Sharp ($47.80) is owned by Jennifer Signor and trained by Ron Baumeister.

Kevin Cummings had four driving wins during Friday night.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 21) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $175 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.

One week removed from beating the best female pacers on the grounds, Won Surreal Deal doubled down and did it again by winning her second straight $15,000 Open I Distaff Handicap pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Oct. 18).

After coming from off the pace last week, Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings) did a 180 and went right to the front and led the single file field through quarters of :28.1, :56.4 and 1:25 without any challenge from behind. As they went into the last turn, the pocket-sitting Miley Rose (Dave McNeight III) was the only one with a shot but as they turned for home, Won Surreal Deal just paced away from her and won handily by 1-¾ lengths in a swift 1:54.1.

It was the fifteenth lifetime win for Won Surreal Deal ($7.30) which is owned by the Parsimonious Racing Stable and trained by Jeff Sorenson.

In the $11,500 mid-level conditioned pacing nightcap, Escape The House (Jim McNeight Jr.) followed P L Notorious (Kevin Cummings) from the start of the race until the top of the stretch, where McNeight tipped Escape The House into the passing lane and out-brushed So Amazing (John Cummings Jr.) and It’s Mesmerize N (Kyle Swift) to win by a neck in 1:56, scoring a major upset at 22-1.

It was the third win in the last four starts for Escape The House ($46.00) which is owned and trained by Taylor Fritz.

Escape The House also spearheaded the winning Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta combination of 9-8-6-1-2 that paid $8,677.50 for a 20-cent wager.

Kevin Cummings led all drivers Wednesday with four wins while trainer Sam Smith topped his conditioning cohorts with a triple during the night.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 18) at 6:00 p.m.

Free full 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 had a huge night at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 14) as he won five races during the evening. The most notable win came with Avion Seelster who despite making a jump in class to the featured $15,000 Open I pace, won his third straight race and ninth overall of the year.

McNeight put Avions Seelster on the point and after a leisurely stroll to the half in :58.2, had a lot of work to do the second time around. Stranger Things (Aaron Byron) pulled first over and brought Lanjo Lee (Kyle Cummings) with him as they headed up the backstretch. Stranger Things took the lead at three-quarters and pulled away by almost a length, but he could not clear Avion Seelster. At the top of the stretch, Avion Seelster came back on to regain the top spot but had a target on his back for Lanjo Lee, who streaked down the middle of the track. McNeight rocked and knocked Avion Seelster while Lanjo Lee was gobbling up ground. The two battled all the way to the wire where Avion Seelster hung on by a mere nose in 1:55.

The win pushed Avion Seelster ($17.40) to $99,732 in earnings for the year, but he also eclipsed the quarter-million mark lifetime, now boasting $255,845 in the bank. Marissa Russo owns the David Russo-trained gelding.

McNeight also won with Tiger Baron (1:55.1, $2.10), Hot Shot Joe (1:56.4, $4.90), Carrythetorchman (1:55.4, $16.00) and Knocking Around (1:56, $31.20).

There were also a pair of $12,500 upper-level conditioned paces on the program Saturday.

In the first, Gunslinger Hill (Drew Monti) turned a first-over move into a half-length victory over Stop Action (Kevin Cummings) in 1:56 to chalk up his ninth win of the year. Jeniffer Giuliani trains Gunslinger Hill ($3.30) for owner Ronald Viele.

Then later, Belmont Major N (Jim McNeight Jr.) followed the exact same script, pulling first-up at the half to eventually run down Fireball (Joe Chindano Jr.) and win in an identical 1:56. Belmont Najor N ($4.80) is owned by the S&K Misfit Stable and trained by Amanda Kelley.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 18) at 6 p.m. and there will be a $6,562 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.

Like he always seems to do, Lougazi started slow but finished fast to claim his 58th career victory in the $15,000 Open I Handicap trotting feature at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 13). 

As Lougazi (Ray fisher Jr.) got away fifth, the heavy post time favorite Dewey Arnold (Kevin Cummings) made a break in turn one and everything changed from there. Burn Notice (Jim McNeight Jr.) took the lead before Showme Some Muscle (Drew Monti) pulled the pocket to take the top and led the short field to the half in a moderate :58.4. There, Gracious Triumph (Shawn McDonough) rolled up first-over and matched strides with Showme Some Muscle to three-quarters, where he finally got the lead. Lougazi was still fifth at this point, but out and moving with cover from I Got The Looks (Dan Yetman) to the stretch. When they hit the straight, Fisher moved Lougazi to the middle of the track and the trotter closed it out, winning by a neck in 1:58.1. 

It was the eighth win of the year for Lougazi ($10.00) and his owner Mary Warriner. Ryan Swift trains the winner. 

In the $13,000 Open II Handicap trot, City Of Hope (Kevin Cummings) led handily through quarters of :29.2, :59.4 and 1:28.1, facing only a minor challenge from BJ Laredo (Jim McNeight Jr.), which he turned back. As he headed out of the turn for home, City Of Hope bolted under a line-drive by Cummings to a 2-¾ length win in 1:58.1.

The 3-year-old City Of Hope ($3.50) registered his 13th win of the year for trainer David Dewhurst, who also owns the gelding in partnership with Philip Hale. 

Drew Monti was the top driver on Friday, scoring a grand slam on the card while Garry Martin led all trainers with two wins during the night. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 14) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $5,792 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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 hitting the board in three previous attempts at Batavia Downs, Won Surreal Deal finally cracked the winner’s enclosure there after a sharp outing in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pacing feature for fillies and mares on Wednesday night (Oct. 11). 

It was a three-mare melee leaving the gate that saw Miss Rockadali (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Louie The Lilac (Kevin Cummings) take turns at the top, approaching and just past the :27.2 quarter. Louie The Lilac finally settled on the point and barked the orders until Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings) pulled from fifth at the half with cover and made her way to second at three-quarters. By the top of the stretch, Won Surreal Deal took over the lead and then held off a late rush from both Center Attraction (Jim McNeight Jr.) and So Amazing (Dave McNeight III) to win by a length in 1:56.1.

It was the fifth win of the year for Won Surreal Deal ($17.00) who is owned by Parsimonious Racing and trained by Jeff Sorenson.  

Earlier in the $11,500 upper level pace for fillies and mares, P L Notorious (Kevin Cummings) sat second behind Imprincessgemma A (John Cummigs Jr.) who did the heavy lifting on the front end until the top of the stretch where P L Notorious tipped and paced away down the lane to a convincing two-length win in 1:55.3. 

After four consecutive second place finishes, P L Notorious ($4.90) got her third win of the year for owner Mike Torcello. Sam Smith trains the winner. 

P L Notorious was one of five wins for Kevin Cummings during the night as he also won with Rd Skippy (1:56, $9.50), Johnny Boy (1:58.4, $5.00), Isla Seelster (1:58.2, $2.90) and Millie’s Spirit (1:57, $4.70). 

Jim Morrill Jr. also had a big night with four driving wins while trainers Sam Smith, Dave Russo and Kevin Reynolds Jr. all had two wins apiece. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 13) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $4,954 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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 finishing second in his last two starts despite very strong efforts, Mirragon A got back to the winner’s circle after taking the $15,000 Open I Handicap pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 7).

Jim Morrill Jr. sent Mirragon A to the front and comfortably led his five competitors through quarters of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:25 as no one from behind could seem to advance. As they made their way through the last turn, the pocket-sitting Ideal Artillery (Jim McNeight Jr.) finally pulled and then Stranger Things (Shawn McDonough) found an opening along the pylons. They both were driven hard down the lane but Mirragon A had the jump and got the win by one-quarter length in 1:53.4.

It was the second Open I win at Batavia and sixth win overall on the year for Mirragon A ($3.90) who is owned by his trainer, Mike Deters, in partnership with Joel Warner and John Manning.

There was another gate to wire winner in the $13,000 Open II Handicap pace. Avion Seelster (Dave McNeight III) cut the fractions while Warrawee Unique (Kyle Cummings) and Little Willy (Jim Morrill Jr.) gave chase, but their efforts were futile. Avion Seelster had a 1-½ length lead at the head of the stretch and extended it to 2-¼ at the line where he won in 1:54.2.

It was two in a row for Avion Seelster ($7.20) and owner Marissa Russo. David Russo trains.

Kevin Cummings had four driving wins on Saturday while Jim Rothfuss topped all trainers with two victories during the night.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 11) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $4,230 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.