Batavia Downs

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

As a result of no winning ticket once again on Wednesday (Aug. 8), Batavia Downs will offer a $2,500 guaranteed early Pick-5 pool when racing resumes on Saturday (Aug. 11) at the oldest lighted harness track in America.

The Pick-5 is a 50-cent base wager that begins in race one and runs through race five. There is no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners, the entire pool (minus takeout) will be carried over to the Late Pick-5 that begins in race seven. The late Pick-5 is a $1 minimum bet.

Post time for the first race today (Aug. 11) is 6 p.m. 

Thunder with driver Kevin Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Thrilling stretch drives with close finishes were the order of the day at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 8) when the 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings visited the Genesee County oval to compete in the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for the $109,000 in available purses.

Thunder (Conway Hall-Cr Oh Suzanna) won the first $54,500 division with a big brush from behind.

JNR Express (Jim Morrill Jr.) cut a decent first quarter before slowing the half forcing Chip Chip Conway (Jim Taggart Jr.) to pull first up with Thunder (Kevin Cummings) following right behind. JNR Express and Chip Chip Conway hooked up and went at it toe to toe from the five eighths all around the last turn with Thunder drafting behind. Thunder tipped three deep at the head of the lane and ran down Chip Chip Conway in deep stretch to win in 1:58.3.

"I had to get after him to get him started; he was a little lazy. But he was good once he got started. He's a nice going trotter," said Cummings after the race.

It was the second straight win and a new lifetime mark for Thunder ($9.60) who is owned by Crawford Farms Racing, Jeremy Day and the VIP Internet Stable. John Butenschoen trains the winner. Thunder was bred by Walnut Hall Limited.

Cavill Hanover (Muscle Mass-Cr Calendar Girl), in photo above with driver Ake Svanstedt, took the second $54,500 split after a very hard fought battle to the wire.

Horns For Three (Kevin Cummings) went right to the front and Cavill Hanover dropped in right in behind him. With the field single file to the half, Cummings backed it off considerably forcing Cavill Hanover to pull and challenge just pass that station. Drawing alongside the leader by the three quarters, Cavill Hanover and Horns For Three were now hooked up in a match race. The two trotted like a mirror image around the final bend, down the stretch and all the way to the wire where Cavill Hanover just got the advantage and won in 1:59.3, with a snappy back half of :57.4.

Svanstedt was complimentary of both his horse as well as Horns For Three: "My horse went good, but the horse we beat went good too. The race was very competitive."

Cavill Hanover ($3.90) has now won three out of his last four races for his connections, Little E, Vanersol Inc. and Wolfgang A Stable. His driver Ake Svanstedt also does the training. Cavill Hanover was bred at Hanover Shoe Farm.

There were also three $15,000 Excel “A” races on the card.

Lucky June Bug (Lucky Chucky-Ebbtide Hall) trotted in 2:00 flat and registered a new lifetime mark for driver John Macdonald and trainer Stanley Zombick Jr. Lucky June Bug ($9.30) is owned by Michael Pozefsky, William Pozefsky and Myron Eckstein. Sam Stoltzfus Jr. bred the winner.

Lights Come On (Chapter Seven-Starlit Eyes) won in 2:02.4 and took a new lifetime mark as directed by Drew Monti for trainer Anette Lorentzen. Lights Come On ($3.10) is owned by ACL Stuteri AB, Theodore Gewertz and Anette Lorentzen. Winbak Farm was the breeder.

Jason’s Camden (Muscle Mass-Palm Beach Chic) went wire to wire in 2:00.3 for team Orange Crush: Andy Miller in the bike for trainer Julie Miller. Jason’s Camden ($2.90) is owned by the Andy Miller Stable, Harvey Eisman and Little E, who also bred the colt.

(Photo of driver Scott Zeron courtesy of Geri Schwarz.)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Fresh off his $1 million Hambletonian win with the filly Atlanta on Saturday (Aug. 4), driver Scott Zeron will be competing at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 8) in the $109,000 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings. 

Zeron will drive in both $54,500 divisions as well as two of the three $15,000 Excel “A” races on the card. 

The NYSS are in races two and six with post time for the first race at 5 p.m.

Zeron had a huge afternoon at the Meadowlands on Saturday. Besides winning the Hambletonian with Atlanta (who became only the 14^th filly to win that 3-year-old trotting stake in its 93-year history), he also won the $286,650 John Cashman Memorial trot with Marion Marauder (who Zeron also won the 2016 Hambletonian with) and the $260,100 Sam McKee Memorial pace with Western Joe.   

In the first NYSS division at Batavia on Wednesday, Zeron will drive Thunder (Conway Hall-Cr Oh Suzanna) for trainer John Butenschoen. 

Thunder has had some issues, making a bad break two starts ago. However last week at Saratoga Raceway he seems to have righted the ship by winning in 1:59.2 to gain his first lifetime win. Zeron drove him last week in that NYSS event and will look for a chance to have him double up in this race, starting from post seven. 

He will have to take on the morning line favorite Chip Chip Conway (Conway Hall-Get Chipped) who is coming in off two strong outings. 

After making two consecutive breaks in his first two NYSS starts, trainer Gary Messenger added trotting hobbles and the gelding qualified back fine. Since then he has won in a lifetime best 1:58 at Tioga Downs and finished second by a head to Thunder last week. Regular driver Jim Taggart Jr. will be back in the bike once again, leaving from post six.

In the second division, Our White Knight (Crazed-Psychotherapist) gets the services of Zeron and looks to up his game. So far this year he is a perfect four for four finishing second and is still looking for that first win. 

Our White Knight got away well last week and became forwardly placed early, which helped his good closing ability to be more effective at the end of the mile. With an inside post this week, look for a similar situation with Zeron up from post two. John Butenschoen also trains this gelding.

The main rival here is morning line favorite Labadee AS (Conway Hall-Smith Hall) who has two consecutive open-length wins in Excel “A” action. However this week he moves back up to the top tier for this race, which is the first time he has been in a NYSS event since his first lifetime start on July 9. Andy Miller, who finished second to Atlanta in the Hambletonian with Met’s Hall, picks up the lines for trainer Anette Lorentzen for the first time behind Labadee AS with post one. 

In the Excel “A” races, Zeron will also drive Simple Kaos (RC Royalty-Ksenia) from post one in the eighth race for trainer George Ducharme and Crazy Every Time (Crazed-Bar Ballad) from post five in the ninth race for trainer Jim Mc Donald. 

Although only driving for 12 years, the 29-year-old Zeron has posted some phenomenal numbers through his career, starting out on the very competitive Ontario tracks and then moving to the Grand Circuit. 

Currently Zeron has 3,390 wins, 2,870 seconds and 2,785 thirds out of 22,014 start with $62,507,595 in earnings. 

Zeron was the youngest Canadian driver to reach 1,000 wins and the youngest driver in history to reach 2,000 wins. He was also the youngest driver ever to win the Little Brown Jug with Michael's Power in 2012. 

In 2012 Zeron received the Rising Star Award from the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) and showed why he got that honor with the biggest year of his career (to that point) in 2016 when he won the Meadowlands driving title and the trotting Triple Crown with Marion Marauder.

Photo of Icanflylikeanangel with reinsman Drew Monti.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

After a narrow defeat in his first start here, the second time was the charm for Icanflylikeanangel who overpowered the early leader to win the $10,000 Open Handicap trotting feature at Batavia Downs on this afternoon (Aug. 5).

The short field of six was shortened even further with the scratch of last week’s winner Dragin The Wagon who called in sick. But the fast five left the gate with usual pace-setter and track record holder Chelseas Chance (Billy Davis Jr.) on the point once again. After a solid :28.3 quarter with the trailers all sitting in, Davis tried to put them to sleep with a :31 second panel as no one would come off the rail. However Icanflylikeanangel (Drew Monti) who had gotten away last, had enough and pulled in front of the stands to make his way up the rim.

With moderate acceleration towards the front up the backside, Icanflylikeanangel drew near the leader by the three-quarters in 1:28.3 and the race was on from there. The two trotted around the last turn less than a length apart but when they hit the top of the stretch, Monti woke up Icanflylikeanangel with a spirited drive and hit the wire a winner by a neck in 1:57.2.

It was the fifth win in 16 2018 starts for Icanflylikeanangel ($6.80) and it increased his coffers to $48,670 for this year. The 4-year-old Archangel gelding is owned by Joseph Hess and is trained by D Benny Eggers.

In the $8,000 Open II Handicap trot, Empire Earl N (Shawn Gray) was a gate to wire winner from the outside post six, besting his five competitors in 1:57.1. It was the seventh win of the year for Empire Earl N ($6.80) is owned by Kim Asher and is trained by Riley Asher-Stalbaum.

Driver Drew Monti had a natural Grand Slam on the card, winning races six through nine. Besides winning with Icanflylikeanangel, he also scored with Sara Cola (1:55.3, $10.20), Theresnoway (1:57.4, $5.30) and Stonebridge Marvel (1:57, $6.10).

Live racing resumes on Monday (Aug. 6) at Batavia Downs with a first race post time of 5 p.m. This is the only Monday of racing in August.

In Runaway Bay with reinsman Kevin Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

In Runaway Bay made his 2018 Batavia Downs debut a winning one after moving up in class and tripping out the mile to win the $10,500 Open Handicap pace on Saturday night (Aug. 4).

Bugatti (Ron Beback Jr.) got away sharp off the gate and went right for the lead. But Lucan Hanover (John Cummings Jr.) wanted to command the race as well and the fight for the front was on. Going hoof to hoof through quarters of :27.3, :56.1 and 1:25 flat, Bugatti and Lucan Hanover duked it out while In Runaway Bay (Kevin Cummings) laid-in-wait third on the pegs.

Halfway around the final bend, Lucan Hanover succumbed to the pace, making room for In Runaway Bay to pull and advance in the stretch. Bugatti was still live but In Runaway Bay had fresh legs and ran him down at the wire to win in 1:54.1 by a half-length.

In Runaway Bay ($17.20) has now earned $34,795 on the strength of four 2018 wins for owner Mark Jakubik and trainer Angelo Nappo.

In the $9,000 Open II pacing sub-feature, Validus Deo (Kevin Cummings) sat a perfect pocket trip behind Tioga Downs invader Believe This Bob (Mike Caprio) from the start of the race until just past the three-quarters when Cummings pulled right-line and drew next to the leader. They paced around the final bend together, but then Validus Deo accelerated past Believe This Bob in mid-stretch under strong urging to win by two lengths in 1:54.

Looking very sharp off the sick scratch in his last start, Validus Deo ($15.80) now has six wins this year and $35,376 in earnings for owners Matthew Rosiek, Robert Johnson and Kevin Cummings, who also trains the winner.

Cummings completed the natural driving hat trick with Rock Fame ($11.20) who paced a season’s best 1:54.1 for owner Mike Torcello and trainer Gerry Sarama.

There is a $328 carryover pool for the early Pick-5 wager on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 5) which runs from race one through race five. Post time for Sunday’s card was 1:15 p.m.

So Awesome with driver Jim Morrill Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

With $105,000 up for grabs in the New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night, 10 of the best state-bred 2-year-old pacing fillies were on hand to compete in two divisions for the spoils and both winners put in career best efforts to get the job done.

So Awesome (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) lived up to her name in the first $52,500 division as she led the race at every station of the mile. 

So Awesome (Jim Morrill Jr.) got away second momentarily before pulling past the eighth and taking the front by the quarter. With the field in single file behind, Morrill grabbed leather and had So Awesome set a pedestrian :58 half before picking up the pace in the third panel with a crisp :28.4. It was then JK American Beauty (Daniel Dube) pulled the pocket and came after at the leader. 

JK American Beauty accelerated into the final turn got almost even with So Awesome around that bend. But Morrill fed So Awesome some line and she switched gears and paced away to the wire, finishing a wrapped-up winner in 1:55, which was a new lifetime mark for the filly. 

“She had good position and when I got her to the front she did all the work. I was just a passenger the whole mile,” said Morrill after the race.

So Awesome ($3.00) now has three wins in five lifetime starts and $96,615 in earnings for owner William Hartt. Scott Di Domenico trains the winner. 

The second $52,500 split saw Hurrikane Norakane (Art Major-Western Heat) win decisively off of a strong front-end effort.

(Hurrikane Norakane with driver Dan Dube.)

Taking the lead when the gate opened, Hurrikane Norakane (Dan Dube) was immediately pressured by Gia’s Surreal (John Macdonald) who tried to leave and then lost the hole. With post time favorite Brooklyn Lilacs (Jim Morrill Jr.) sitting second behind the her, Hurrikane Norakane held Gia’s Surreal at bay to the half in :56.3 and Gia’s Surreal kept Brooklyn Lilacs locked in until almost the three-quarters when she finally faded. 

As soon as the opportunity presented itself, Brooklyn Lilacs pulled at the apex of the far turn and tried to get to Hurrikane Norakane. But the filly in front would have none of that. Hurrikane Norakane opened up a quick three-length lead while Dube sat like a statue and won in 1:55.1, which was another lifetime mark this night.

“I thought she was the best from the rail and that’s why I went down the road with her. I never even popped the plugs” Dube recounted in the winner’s circle. 

Now with her first NYSS win, Hurrikane Norakane ($6.70) has put $73,300 in the bank so far this year for owners Jonathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing, Pegasis Investment Group and George Vierno. John Mc Dermott trains the winner. 

There were also two divisions of the $15,000 Excel “A” series on the card.

Dorothy’s Legacy (Art Major-Put On A Display) was a gate to wire winner in 1:58.1 for driver Daniel Dube in the first division. Dorothy’s Legacy ($7.20) is owned by R. B. H. Ventures Inc., Capital Call and Joe Sbrocco and is trained by Kevin Mc Dermott. 

The second set was bested by Sun Viser (Heston Blue Chip-Beach Bonnet) who upset the field when he came first-over at three-quarters and pulled away to a two-length victory in 1:57.2, which was a new lifetime mark. Sun Viser ($38.80) is owned by Triple D Stables and is trained by Scott Di Domenico. 

Di Domenico ended up with a training triple on Wednesday’s card. Besides the aforementioned So Awesome and Sun Viser, he also sent Joe’s Girl (Roll With Joe-Donna’s Girl) to the winner’s circle after a 1:57.1, career best effort in Excel “B” action for owners Triple D Stables and JFE Enterprise. Jim Morrill Jr. drove. 

Overall in New York bred action, Daniel Dube had a driving triple while Jim Morrill Jr. captured two wins.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Horsemen at Batavia Downs please note that there will be a double draw on Thursday (Aug. 2) for Sunday (Aug. 5) and Monday (Aug. 6). The box will close for both days on Thursday at 9 a.ms

Press release:

The Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund is hosting a seminar for new and prospective Standardbred horse owners at the Batavia Downs from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25.

Participants are invited to gather at 3 p.m. for informational panel discussions, a tour of the backstretch, followed by dinner and live racing.

Panels discussions will be led by industry veterans and cover a variety of topics relating to Standardbred ownership, including types of ownership, the risks and rewards of owning a Standardbred racehorse, training costs, vet bills, tax issues/incentives, and other financial considerations.

Reservations are requested to ensure sufficient materials are available. For additional information, including pricing details and to RSVP, please contact Angie McGrath at amcgrath@caphill.com or call 518-694-5002.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

A total of $105,000 is up for grabs with only 10 entrants on hand to compete for it in two divisions as the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old pacing fillies rolls into Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 1).

The NYSS events are carded as race one and seven with post time for the first race at 5 p.m.

So Awesome (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) will lead the way in the first $52,500, five-horse division and has some impressive early career stats to back her. She has two lifetime wins in four lifetime starts and both were in NYSS action. Oddly enough they were both scored at Yonkers Raceway and both timed in 1:55.3.

As a result of her work, So Awesome has put $70,365 on her card thus far making her the richest, fastest and winningest filly entered here. So Awesome also ranks second in points and earnings in her age, gait and gender group overall in the state-bred series.

So Awesome is trained by Scott Di Domenico and will be leaving from post two with driver Jim Morrill Jr.

JK American Beauty (American Ideal-JK Black Beauty) has yet to win a NYSS race, but she hasn't been off the board either. With a second and two thirds to her credit, she has continued to learn each week while finishing well in all her starts. The filly is almost certain to get another good trip here from inside and could break her maiden if things go right.

JK American Beauty will be driven from post one by Daniel Dube for trainer Nancy Johansson.

Looking to get back on track in the second $52,500 five-horse split is Brooklyn Lilacs (Rock n Roll Heaven-Sombodythatiustono) who won her first two NYSS events, but got disqualified in the second after pacing erratically at the three-quarters. She had over two weeks off after that race and then qualified impressively at Harrah's Philadelphia in 1:56.1 by eight lengths. This will be her first start back since that outing and her current form appears to bode well for her chances in this race.

Trainer Joe Holloway has Jim Morrill Jr. back in the bike for Brooklyn Lilacs third NYSS start and they will start from post three.

Hurrikane Norakane (Art Major-Western Heat) appears to be the formidable foe. After getting her first NYSS win through the disqualification of Brooklyn Lilacs three starts back, she experienced a very rough trip at Tioga Downs the next week getting parked-out the better part of the mile. But she bounced back well in her last start which was back at Yonkers where she finished a strong second to top point-getter St. Somewhere in 1:53.4. Now finding herself right back in a week later in a short field, Hurrikane Norakane looks to put herself in the spotlight.

Hurrikane Norakane has post one for driver Daniel Dube and trainer John Mc Dermott.

There are also two $15,000 divisions of the Excel “A” series on the card.

Photo of Chelsea’s Chance with driver Billy Davis Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Chelsea’s Chance took full advantage of a strong front-end bias at Batavia Downs on this afternoon (July 29) as she went gate to wire in the $8,000 Open II trot, stopping the clock in 1:56.1 and breaking the track record for aged trotting mares of 1:56.2 set just last year by Skyway Priss.

Chelsea’s Chance (Billy Davis Jr.) left from post one and never looked back. She set fractions of :28.2, :58 and 1:26.3 as a gapped leader before turning for home with Davis high-lining and a two-length advantage that she held to the wire.

The win time of 1:56.1 also equaled her own seasonal mark taken earlier this year.

It was the seventh win of the year and second consecutive victory at Batavia Downs for Chelsea’s Chance ($3.40) who is owned and trained by Sabrina Clevenger.

The top billed trot of the day was the $10,000 Open Handicap trot and front end speed prevailed once again. 

Tioga Downs invader Dragin The Wagon (Ray Fisher Jr.), in photo above, took the lead and dictated fractions the entire way.

Without any movement for most of the mile, Icanflylikeanangel (Billy Davis Jr.) made a bid past the five-eighths and pushed Dragin The Wagon around the final bend.

But Fisher kept Dragin The Wagon live enough to hold Icanflylikeanangel at bay yet didn't allow the pocket-sitting Empire Earl N (Drew Monti) any room to get out in the stretch and hung on to win by a half-length in 1:57.4.

Dragin The Wagon ($6.30) is owned by Cary, David and Michael Cantelon and is trained by Jeff Byron. 

Drew Monti led all drivers on Sunday with three wins that included Beechwood Wayne who scored his 57th lifetime victory. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday afternoon (July 30) with a nine-race card that kicks off at 5 o' clock.

(Photo courtesy of Paul White.)

By Tom Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

After a two-week furlough, Sir Ziggy’s Z Tam was back taking on a short but select field in the $10,000 Open pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (July 28) and in the process, got back to his winning ways. 

Sir Ziggy’s Z Tam (Drew Monti) got away fourth as Classic American (Billy Davis Jr.) shot for the lead. The race got boring for the next five-eighths of a mile as position remained unchanged until just before three-quarters when Hardts Or Bettor (Ray Fisher Jr.) pulled from third and tried to advance. At this point, Sir Ziggy’s Z Tam was locked in last on the pylons. 

As they headed out of the last turn, Hardts Or Bettor’s bid failed and he was heading south. Barry Hanover (Kevin Cummings) who sat second the whole mile, popped the deuce and paced right by Classic American to take the lead. But Sir Ziggy’s Z Tam who was almost three lengths behind the new leader, roared down the center of the track under methodic urging by Monti to make up the deficit and win by a length in 1:54.4.  

It was the sixth win in nine starts for the high percentage Sir Ziggy’s Z Tam ($8.10) who now has banked $36,175 in 2018 for owner Tessa Roland and trainer JD Perrin. 

In the co-featured $9,000 Open II, Bugatti (Billy Davis Jr.) tripped-out behind an aggressively paced Brunello N (Drew Monti) and capitalized on the fractions when Davis pulled right leather and let his horse fly home in :27.4 to win by two lengths in 1:54. 

Bugatti ($7.10) is owned by Keith Pinkowski and trained by Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr. 

Billy Davis Jr. put on a show for the weekend faithful, winning five of the eleven races on the card. Besides the afore mentioned Bugatti, Davis also scored with OK Gemma (1:57, $18), Bold And Brassy (1:55, $3.30), Osprey Vision (1:58.2, $3.80) and Energizer Ivory (1:56.4, $4.50). 

The five wins by Davis bolted him from sixth to first in the driver standings, tying with Kevin Cummings for the lead with six wins on the meet. Cummings and Monti both scored doubles on Saturday. 

With no winner in the Pick-5 wager once again on Saturday, there will be a guaranteed pool of $2,000 for the early Pick-5 this afternoon (July 29) when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs. The early Pick-5 wager starts in race one and runs through race five. 

Post time for the first race today is 1:15 p.m.

(Wisdom Tree with driver Kevin Cummings.) Photos courtesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The heavily favored Wisdom Tree (Betterthancheddar-Wisdom) displayed why everyone from the track handicapper to the bettors heavily endorsed her as she dominated the field in her division of the $120,400 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old pacing fillies at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (July 25).

Wisdom Tree (Kevin Cummings) left for the lead but had to work hard for it; getting to the quarter in :27 flat. But once she cleared and settled in, the filly was in total control. Cummings backed the half off considerably before speeding up the proceedings up the backstretch, although no one was close enough to challenge. By the three-quarters Wisdom Tree had opened up a three-length advantage which she held as she cruised around the far turn and down the lane to win in 1:53, which was just one-fifth off the track record.

Cummings said after the race “That was pretty easy once she got to the front. I backed off the second quarter to :29.1 and it was pretty much over from there. I had to get after her in the third quarter because she was starting to go to sleep on me but around the last turn when I pulled the plugs, she responded well and was looking for horses because she was off by herself for most of the mile.”

It was the fourth win in her last five starts and eighth win of 2018 for Wisdom Tree ($2.70) who has now carded $215,785 for the year for owners Thomas Pollack and Jeffrey Cullipher. Ed Hart trains the winner.

Wisdom Tree was a $28,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington Select yearling sale and was bred by Winbak Farm.

(Alexis Faith with driver Jim Morrill Jr.)

Alexis Faith (American Ideal-Cannae Cammie) put in as impressive an effort in her division, but she did it from behind. Getting away sixth from post seven, Alexis Faith (Jim Morrill Jr.) watched from afar as Hurrikane Shorty (Jim Marohn Jr.) sped away with a loose lead in :27.1, :56 and 1:24.1. At that last station, Morrill was finally able to get his filly off the pylons from sixth and tipped three-deep into the last bend. She went from sixth to first during the arc of the turn and sped away to a two-length lead when they straightened out to win in 1:53.4.

"She was very good tonight; she's been good pretty much right along. She threw a clunker in her last start but we came to find out she was sick. So we have her healthy again and she's back. She made a big move three-wide tonight but she did the same thing at Yonkers two starts down, coming home in :27.1. Once she gets moving she's good," Morrill said.

It was the second win of the year for Alexis Faith ($6.60) but first of 2018 in the NYSS. The filly is owned by West Wins Stable, Jim Fielding, J. Robert Darrow and Kevin McKinlay and trained by Casie Coleman.

Alexis Faith was purchased at the Lexington Select yearling sale for $55,000 and was bred by Melvin Segal.

The third leg saw Ubettergo Go (Art Major-Ubetterthink Think) leave from post seven and tuck fourth at the eighth pole while Checkered Past (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Solitary (Jim Marohn Jr.) argued for the front. But halfway up the backside, her driver Mark Macdonald had her out and rolling and took the front by the quarter in :27.2. With the field in single file, Ubettergo Go slowed the pace and forced Apothic (Drew Monti) to advance an outer flow.

The field hit three-quarters in two rows with Ubettergo Go still calling the shots, but Apothic looked live and Checkered Past was ready to strike having gotten the perfect pocket trip to this point. At the head of the lane, Macdonald asked Ubettergo Go and she responded by opening up a two length lead and hitting the wire in first in 1:53.4.

"She went well. That was a bruising first quarter in :27.2 but she ended up pacing away anyway. She kind of stepped over a little shadow around the last turn there and it took her mind off her work for a minute, but then she just breezed her way home. She's a real nice filly," Macdonald said.

(Ubettergo Go with driver Mark Macdonald.)

Ubettergo Go ($4.40), in photo above, is owned by Blake Macintosh, Tony Basile, Reginald Petitpas and Ozzie Mackay and is trained by Blake Macintosh.

Ubettergo Go was a $13,000 Harrisburg yearling purchase and was bred by Concord Stud and Birnam Wood Farms.

There were also two $15,000 division of the Excel "A" series on the card.

The first division went to KJ's Justine (American Ideal-Day Blue Chip), winning gate to wire in 1:55.4. KJ's Justine ($6.10) was driven Jim Morrill Jr. for trainer Linda Toscano and owner Ken Jacobs.

The second division was won by Psychic Blue Chip (Art Major-All Spirit) who also led at every station in 1:56. Psychic Blue Chip ($9) was driven by Ray Fisher Jr. for trainer Joseph Skowyra and owners Jeffrey Clark and Vernon Cannon.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

For the second time in as many racing days, a band of state-bred sisters will be invading Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (July 25) when the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) 3-year-old pacing fillies go postward to compete in three divisions for a total purse of $120,400.

NYSS divisions go in races one, five and seven with post time for the first race at 5 p.m.

Headlining the pool of 22 participants is Wisdom Tree (Betterthancheddar-Wisdom) who will be competing in the $39,900 third division. This filly is not only tearing up the NYSS this year; she is also racing large on the Grand Circuit.

Besides winning three New York events so far, Wisdom Tree also won the $142,000 Nadia Lobell at Hoosier Park on July 6, setting a new lifetime mark and track record of 1:49.4 in the process. A week later she drew post 12 in the 1-1/8^th mile $191,800 Mistletoe Shallee at the Meadowlands and finished a strong closing fourth behind the winner Kissin In The Sand after being parked out over half a mile in the distance race timed in 2:04.1.

Wisdom Tree ranks high in stats among all 3-year-old pacing fillies in North America. For the year so far she is the third richest ($195,835), fourth fastest (1:49.4) and fifth winningest (seven) against all her rivals. In the NYSS she is the highest point-getter, has the most wins and has earned the most money.

Trainer Ed Hart has called on Kevin Cummings to drive the 8-5 early favorite Wisdom Tree who will leave from post six.

In the first $39,900 division Ubettergo Go (Art Major-Ubetterthink) started the year strong, winning back-to-back NYSS events. She then qualified for the $315,400 final of the Fan Hanover at Mohawk Raceway where fast early fractions caught up to her late and saw her finish seven lengths behind the winner. She was given a 26 day rest after that start and looked fresh finishing second by a head in 1:52.2 in a NYSS event at Vernon Downs. Now after another 11 day break, she looks like the one to beat.

Trainer Blake Macintosh has Mark Macdonald in the bike behind Ubettergo Go who starts from post seven at 5-2.

The main competition looks to be Solitary (American Ideal-Lonesome Day) who moves up from Excel “A” action at Vernon where she finished a strong second in 1:52.1 and Apothic (Art Major-Permafrost) who paced in 1:51.3 finishing third in a NYSS race at Vernon as well. Both mares are still looking for their first NYSS win.

Solitary leaves from post one for driver Jim Marohn Jr. and trainer Nick Surick and Apothic starts next to her in post two with trainer Mark Harder calling on Drew Monti to drive.

The second division goes for $40,600 and has Alexis Faith (American Ideal-Cannae Cammie) listed as the 5-2 morning line choice. Alexis Faith has yet to win a NYSS event this year after being the 2-year-old champion in 2017, but she has finished second on two occasions. Like Ubettergo Go, Alexis Faith also raced in the Fan Hanover final and fared a bit better. After cutting three-quarters of the mile and having an open lead at the head of the stretch, Alexis Faith ended up fourth by only two lengths in 1:50.4.

Arguing for the purse will be Presto Blue Chip (American Ideal-Cantor’s Daughter) who just got beat at Vernon in 1:52.2 in her last start in NYSS action and Jewels Forreal (So Surreal-Dandy’s Jewel) who took a lifetime mark of 1:51 at Tioga Downs in the $23,500 Geers Stake on June 29.

Drew Monti drives Presto Blue Chip from post two for trainer Jeffrey Smith and Jewels Forreal has the services of Matt Kakaley from post six for trainer Ron Burke.

There are also two $15,000 division of the Excel “A” series in races two and three and one $6,800 division of Excel “B” in race 11.

(Photo of Conway Kellyanne and driver Charlie Norris courtesy of Paul White.)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Three $36,567 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old trotting fillies were contested under rainy conditions on opening night at Batavia Downs Monday evening (July 23), but the weather didn’t deter the girls from going some impressive miles throughout the night.

Conway Kellyanne (Conway Hall-Pacific Centerfold) won the fastest heat and she did it very convincingly. After dropping in third off the gate, Conway Kellyanne (Charlie Norris) pulled past the eighth pole and rolled up the outside to take the lead from Safe Word (Jeff Gregory) at the quarter. She cleared, hit the pylons and the race was basically over.

Conway Kellyanne continued to lead unchallenged until the top of the stretch when Safe Word pulled the pocket to make a rush. But the attempt was to no avail as Conway Kellyanne opened up three at the wire in an easy 1:59.4 victory.

Conway Kellyanne ($4.20) is owned by Carrie Norris, Acadia Farms and G & B Racing and is trained by her driver, Charlie Norris.

The first division was won by Quincy Blue Chip (Chapter Seven-Sirenuse) who was parked to the quarter in :30.2 before taking the lead, but when she cleared it was for good. Driver Jim Morrill Jr. grabbed leather in the middle half maintaining an open length advantage. Around the last turn Quincy Blue Chip was given her head and she stepped the final panel in :29.1, drawing off to a two length win in 2:01.2.

Quincy Blue chip ($2.70) is owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. and is trained by Garth Dowse.

And the final split was taken by Winndevie (Credit Winner-Vida De Vie) in a thrilling finish. Water Lily Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) went down the road, hitting the half in 1:00 over the off track with the heavily favored Amal Hall (Andy Miller) right on her back. After passing the three-eighths, Liquorstoreblues (Jim Morrill Jr.) pulled from fourth and Winndevie (Trond Smedshammer) followed along. As they rolled up, Amal Hall pulled from second in front of both of them and the outside group moved forward.

When these three hit the head of the lane they fanned across the track. It was Amal Hall on the pylons, Liquorstoreblues in the middle and Winndevie three-wide and farthest back. Amal Hall looked like she was the best but Winndevie flew past Liquorstoreblues and caught the leader right at the wire to win in 2:00.1.

Winndevie ($6.20) is now undefeated lifetime after scoring her third win in a row for Wanda Polisseni’s Purple Haze Stable and trainer Trond Smedshammer.

There were also three divisions of the $15,000 Excel “A” series on Monday.

The first leg was won by Lifetime Credit (Credit Winner-Mariah De Vie) in a lifetime best 2:01.3. Lifetime Credit was driven by John Stark Jr. for owner by Robert Messing and trainer Maureen Salino.

The second division went to Beautiful Brenda (Credit Winner-Yankeedoodlecandy) who registered her first lifetime win in 2:03.3. Beautiful Brenda ($4.10) was driven by Scott Zeron for owners Rick, Joe and Johnny Stable, The Camel Club Stable and Bettola Stables Inc. Rick Zeron trains the winner.

And the final grouping was bested by Jumalay Mass (Muscle Mass-Acoustic Hanover) who also went a lifetime best 2:02.4. Owned by Erv Miller, Joe Faraldo and George Golemes and trained by Erv Miller, Jumalay Mass returned $3.40.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (July 25) at 5 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

As the Standardbreds gather for the start of the 72^nd season of racing at the oldest lighted harness track in America this evening (July 23), Batavia Downs celebrates the opening by hosting three $36,567 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old trotting fillies.

The NYSS events are carded in races two, four and six with post time for the card set at 6 p.m.

The first event has Quincy Blue Chip (Chapter Seven-Sirenuse) listed as the 8-5 morning line choice and she certainly looks the part. After winning her first lifetime start wire to wire over an off track at Yonkers Raceway on July 3, Quincy Blue Chip just got beat a neck in her second outing at Buffalo Raceway but still knocked two-full seconds off her initial clocking, being timed in 1:59.

Quincy Blue Chip will leave from post four with driver Jim Morrill Jr. for trainer Garth Dowse.

Gobi Princess (Muscle Mass-Mrs. D) made a break in her career debut at Yonkers but still finished fifth despite the trip. In her last start at Buffalo she minded her manners and was rated well along the pylons to finish a strong second, closing at the wire. She will be a major competitor from post one and should get a perfect trip from there.

Trainer Annette Lorentzon has Scott Zeron in the bike behind Gobi Princess and they are listed at 7-2.

In the second split, Safe Word (Credit Winner-Fifty Shades) is coming in off a two-race win streak and has improved with each start all year. After finishing second in her first outing at Monticello Raceway, she proceeded to win at Yonkers by a head and then win again at Buffalo by almost five-lengths. She is currently tied with Amal Hall as the top point getter in the series and also leads all her divisional peers for earnings.

It’s a Batavia Downs home-coming for Jeff Gregory who trains and drives Safe Word and will leave from post one at 9-5.

The horse to watch in this race is Conway Kellyanne (Conway Hall-Pacific Centerfold) who seemed to really blossom in her second lifetime start on July 3 at Yonkers. She left, cut the mile and cruised to a very fast 1:58.1 win, which was a lifetime mark for her and the fastest of four heats at the Hilltop that night. Her connections did not race her in the third leg at Buffalo so she does come in 20 days between starts. Look for her to use her speed to get forwardly placed and take her best shot late.

Charlie Norris trains and drives Conway Kellyanne who will start from post four at 7-2.

The final leg is headlined by Amal Hall (Credit Winner-Arabella Hall) who is coming into the race red hot. She won her first NYSS start at Monticello then finished second to Conway Kellyanne in 1:58.2 at Yonkers. Her last outing at Buffalo was not only another win; it was a 1:59 lifetime mark for her and a new track record for age, gender and gait by a full second. She will be a stalking force from inside with her late brush.

Amal Hall will leave from post two at 2-1 for Team Orange Crush: Julie Miller doing the training and Andy Miller in the bike.

Winndevie (Credit Winner-Vida De Vie) comes into this event batting .1000 in the NYSS. She has two starts (at Monticello and Yonkers), two wins and has displayed two different styles of racing. She closed in :28.4 in both of her wins and dropped almost three full seconds off her win time between the two outings. She currently sits third in the point standings right behind Amal Hall and Safe Word and is poised to move forward.

Trond Smedshammer both trains and drives Winndevie who starts from post five at 5-2.

There is an upset minded filly in the race named Sensibility (Muscle Mass-Twin B Sensation). She has yet to win a NYSS event but hasn’t missed the board either, finishing second twice and third once. She has dropped a full second in three consecutive starts and has closed in :28.2 her last two trys which is faster than anyone in the race besides Amal Hall.

Sensibility is trained by George Ducharme and will be driven from post six at 4-1 by Scott Zeron.

There are also four $15,000 Excel “A” series trots on the card that go as races one, five, seven and nine and two Excel “B” series trots in races three, eight and 10.