harness racing

Success came in bunches for four horsemen and one horsewoman at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Nov. 9) as the five involved accounted for a total of 12 driving and 6 training wins during the card. 

The driving colony was once again bested by Jim Morrill Jr. who claimed a quintuple in the sulky, including winning one of the featured $10,000 conditioned distaff paces with Jb’s Star Dancer.

Morrill left from post eight, dropped in behind Filly Speaks (Drew Monti) and then drafted there until the stretch where he took the lead and claimed a one length upset victory in 1:57. Jb’s Star Dancer ($28.00) is owned by Mike Torcello, trained by Sammy Smith and was one of three wins for Smith on Wednesday.

Morrill completed his big day winning behind Explosive Leggs (2:00.4, $3.00), Racksmach N (1:57.2, $2.40), Greystonefastmyles (1:57.4, $6.10) and Party Shaker (1:57.1, $2.60). 

Next came Kevin Cummings who had a four-bagger at the lines behind Ellieonthemove (1:56.4, $13.00), China Dream (1:57.3, $4.60), My Standards (1:57.1, $2.80) and Ready Set Rock (1:56.3, $2.80). 

Finally, Denny Bucceri registered a driving hat trick, including winning the second $10,000 conditioned distaff pace with Tuapeka Jessie N.

Sapphire Love Chip (Shawn McDonough) cut the half in :58.2 before Bucceri made a big three-wide move with Tuapeka Jessie N approaching three-quarters. Tuapeka Jessie N cleared, entered the turn and then ran off the screen coming home to win by five open lengths in 1:57.2. Tuapeka Jessie N ($6.20) is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing and was one of three winners trained by Maria Rice during the night. 

Bucceri solidified his triple behind Night Flyer K (1:59.2, $3.70) and Scrub Hanover (1:57.1, $10.00). 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 12) at 6 p.m. and there is another carryover available. The Jackpot Hi-5 Pentafecta in the 13th race will start with $3,112 in the pool. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab and then you watch all the races live on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery.

It was Deja Vu all over again for last week's feature winners Just Plain Loco and Credit List, who came right back on Saturday (Nov. 5) to claim another $14,000 Open Handicap on their respective gaits. 

First on the pace, Just Plain Loco (Dave McNeight III) got away sixth as Yankee On The Move (Kyle Cummings) led the field to the half in :57.3. Stop Action (Kevin Cummings) moved first over with Just Plain Loco on his back. Positions remained the same to three quarters where Stop Action stopped and forced Just Plain Loco three wide in the last turn. With a two length lead at the top of the stretch, Yankee On The Move made a break and went right, interfering with several horses including Just Plain Loco. But Just Plain Loco regrouped quickly and paced down the center of the lane to win by 1-½ lengths in 1:55. 

Just Plain Loco ($6.00) is owned by Paul Lang and Mark Toth and is trained by Jennifer Giuliani.

Giuliani had three wins to lead all trainers on Saturday. 

Then on the trot, Credit List (Jim Morrill Jr.) also got away sixth and watched as BJ Laredo (Drew Monti) parked Inquiring Mind (Denny Bucceri) to the half in :57.1. When Inquiring Mind stalled past that station, Jumpinthejailhouse (Kevin Cummings) shook loose and forged to the front by three-quarters. There, Credit List also got loose and swung into contention around the last turn. Credit List and Jumpinthejailhouse battled all the way to the wire where Credit List got the win by a neck in 1:57.3. 

Credit List ($4.50) is owned by Room4040 LLC Stables and is trained by Kevin Reynolds Jr. 

Morrill ended the day with four winners on the card.  

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 9) at 6 p.m. and there is another carryover available. The Jackpot Hi-5 Pentafecta in the 13th race will start with $2,527 in the pool. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab and then you watch all the races live on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel. 

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery.

After going a very long mile, the hard-working Saulsbrook Olympia notched her second straight victory in the $14,000 Distaff Open Handicap at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Nov. 2). 

Somebeachsomefra (Jim Morrill Jr.) was the early leader and forced The Stunning Nun N (Ray Fisher Jr.) to abandon her desire for the front and tuck in second. The race hit the quarter in :28.1 and as they paced by three-eights, Dave McNeight III tipped Saulsbrook Olympia out from sixth and started the trek forward, looking to flush cover. As no one else pulled right lines, Saulsbrook Olympia was on her own and took the task to heart, first-up in the breeze. 

Saulsbrook Olympia was fourth at the five-eighths and third at three-quarters. Then as they headed into the last turn, The Stunning Nun N left the pocket and forced her three-deep. But Fisher changed course quickly with The Stunning Nun N and went back to the pylons leaving Sauslbrook Olympia a clear shot into the lane. As the passing lane opened, The Stunning Nun N moved through inside of Somebeachsomefra and Saulsbrook Olympia was in full stride in the middle of the track. The three mares paced in unison to the wire in a blanket finish where a photo and judge’s determination declared Saulsbrook Olympia the winner by a head in 1:55.3.

Scoring her tenth win of the year, Saulsbrook Olympia ($5.00) now shows $80,266 in earnings on her card and both numbers are single season highs for the mare. William Mcneil and Edward Gorc own the Jennifer Giuliani-trained daughter of Big Jim-Racino Star. 

The win was one of two for Giuliani while it also kicked off a natural driving hat trick for McNeight that now gives him 49 victories at Batavia and moved him back into a tie for third place for dash wins this meet with Kyle Cummings, who won one race during the night. The leading Kevin Cummings and second place Jim Morrill Jr. both had three wins apiece on Wednesday as well and that puts them at 108 and 102 respectively.  

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 5) at 6 p.m. and there is another carryover available. The Jackpot Hi-5 Pentafecta in the 13th race will start with $2,123 in the pool. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab and then you watch all the races live on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery.

Joseph C. Sarago of Cheektowaga, New York died on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at age 80.

Mr. Sarago was a life-long fixture of harness racing at Batavia Downs and in western New York, having first gotten involved in the sport with a Standardbred named Choicey Williams that he owned through his aunt and uncle who raced back in the 1960s. After first getting licensed in 1966, Mr. Sarago went on to both train and drive and over the years, honed his skills and abilities through relationships with top reignsmen Gerry Sarama and Mike Gagliardi. Mr. Sarago drove mostly in the 1970s and 80’s and scaled back that part of his career in the 1990s in lieu of expanding his training time.

Mr. Sarago had a long list of top performers including arguably his best pacer ever, the 74-time winner Cambiance (1:55.1, $235,460), Crash Helmet (1:55.2, $160,123), Niatrator (1:55.4, $106,518), Woodhill Flash (2:01.1, $73,488) and Magnolia Queen (1:59.4, $56,405). Throughout his career, Mr. Sarago had 245 driving wins that earned $571,077 and 136 training wins that banked another $361,676 for his connections. He stepped away from full-time participation in the barn in the late 1990s but stayed close to the sport by driving the starting car at Tioga Downs from 2006 until 2020. L

Mr. Sarago was universally liked and respected within the harness racing community and will be deeply missed by all that knew him in throughout his career.   

Mr. Sarago was the beloved son of the late Anthony and Clara (nee Wentzel) Sarago; dearest brother of Mary Ellen (Michael) DiVincenzo; dear uncle of Michael III (Lynn) and Anthony (Ken McGee) DiVincenzo. Family will be present to receive relatives and friends Tuesday (Nov. 1) from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Melvin J. Sliwinski Funeral Home, 5090 Transit Road (south of Como Park Blvd.) Depew, New York where services will be held at 6:30 PM.

Driver Jim Morrill Jr. lit it up at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 29) winning six races on the card including a natural hat trick in races five, six and seven and did not miss the board in the 13 starts he drove. 

Morrill’s top victory came in the co-featured $14,000 Open I Handicap trot where Credit List led at every station to claim his sixth win of the year. 

Leaving from post six, Credit List was on the point by 1-½  lengths at the :29.3 quarter and never looked back from there. With BJ Laredo (Drew Monti) tracking closest behind in the pocket and absolutely no opposition coming from behind, Credit List floated to the half in :58.4 and three-quarters in 1:27.4 before rounding the last turn and trotting away by 1-½ lengths under wraps to win in 1:57.1. 

Owned by Room4040 LLC Stables and trained by Kevin Reynolds, Credit List returned $4.20.

Morrill also won with Deputy Seelster (1:57, $5.30), Silver Arrow (1:56, $3.70), Prairie Panther (1:54.3, $3.70), Inquiring Mind (1:57.3, $4.20) and Beach Fire K (1:55, $3.90).

Morrill also had four seconds and three-thirds giving him a lofty .709 UDR for the evening. Saturday’s six wins moved him to 99 for the meet, now just six behind the leading Kevin Cummings who won two races himself and now has 105 wins during this session. 

Later in the other featured Open I Handicap pace, Just plain Loco (Dave McNeight III) found himself starting from pylon position and took full advantage of his infrequent visit to the far-left wing. Flaunting his noted gate speed, Just Plain Loco flew to the front while the entire field fell in line behind in post position order. After the leader set a tepid :58.4 half, Morrill came first-up with Out On Bail and drew alongside the pocket-sitting Stratosphere (Drew Monti) and made Just Plain Loco pick up the tempo. McNeight was happy to oblige and simply gave Just Plain Loco his head. Then lickety-split, he went to the three-quarters in :28.4 to rebuff the outside challenger and then turned for home and pulled away by three lengths in a :27.3 final panel and won in 1:55.1. 

The eighth win of the year pushed Just Plain Loco ($3.30) over the century mark in earnings for 2022, now boasting $102,170 in the bank for owners Paul Lang and Mark Toth. This was one of three winners on the night for trainer Jennifer Giuliani, who led all her conditioning peers in winner's circle visits.  

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 5) at 6 p.m. and there is another carryover available. The Jackpot Hi-5 Pentafecta in the 13th race will start with $1,666 in the pool. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab and then you watch all the races live on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel. 

Kyle Cummings has been on a bit of a tear recently at Batavia Downs but really put up some serious numbers on Wednesday night (Oct. 26) after he won six of the 10 races he drove on the card including natural hat tricks in races five, six and seven and races 11, 12 and 13.

Cummings won with Rockin N Kissin (1:59.2, $2.10), How About Murph (1:58.2, $7.80), Im Chiara (1:59.3, $6.20), Muscle High (2:01.3, $11.20), Lucky King (1:57.4, $6.80) and Candy’s Desire (1:58.2, $5.40). Cumming's outstanding driving also gave him a lofty UDR of .600 for the night. 

With his performance on Wednesday, Kyle Cummings moved into third place for driving wins at the current Batavia meet, now boasting 47 wins. He passed Dave McNeight III who now sits in fourth, but is still behind the leaders, Kevin Cummings (102) and Jim Morrill Jr. (93). 

The 22-year-old Cummings has only been driving for four years, yet he already surpassed $2 million in earnings on October 15 and is in the midst of a career year for wins (105), earnings ($860,464) and UDR (.270) with two months left to go. 

Rockin N Kissin, Muscle High, Lucky King and Candy’s Desire are all trained by Kyle’s mother, Tammy Cummings, who got the grand slam for her efforts and led all other conditioners for wins on Wednesday. 

The one race either Cummings didn’t win was the $14,000 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares where Saulsbrook Olympia got back on track after having only one board hit in her last five outings. 

Dave Mcneight III left with Saulsbrook Olympia from post one and seated Somebeachsomefra (Jim Morrill Jr.) in the process. Saulsbrook Olympia then proceeded to take the single file field to the quarter in :28.4, the half in :59.4 and then halfway up the backstretch before anyone made a move. That one was Shecouldbegood N (Kevin Cummings) who moved from third on the pegs to second in the breeze by three-quarters. In the turn, Saulsbrook Olympia responded to that challenge and then under minimal urging paced home on top by 1-½ lengths in 1:57.

Continuing a great year, Saulsbrook Olympia ($2.70) claimed her ninth win of 2022 and pushed her earnings to $73,266 for owners William McNeil and Edward Gorc. Jeniffer Giuliani trains the winner. 

Two milestones were reached by a pair of veteran horses on Wednesday. The aforementioned 11-year-old pacer Lucky King and the 13-year-old trotter Osprey Vision both scored their 50th career wins. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 29) at 6 p.m. and there is another carryover available. The Jackpot Hi-5 Pentafecta in the 13th race will start with $1,387 in the pool. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab and then you watch all the races live on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery

It was a dark and stormy night at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 19) with a steady rain, brisk wind and sloppy track for all to deal with. But much like the postman, it didn’t deter the Downs’ leading driver Kevin Cummings from completing his appointed rounds as he successfully delivered five horses to the Purple Haze Winner’s enclosure despite the elements. 

Cummings struck early and often, winning with Rip It Up (2:00.2, $4.40), Gimme The Pacifics (1:59.1, $10.80) and Everdeen (1:59, $3.60) in races two, three and four for the natural hat trick. He then completed his count with JB’s Star Dancer (1:58, $4.20) and Ruthmae Hanover (1:59, $3.00). 

The five Wednesday wins give Cummings 98 for the current Batavia meet, putting him 12 ahead of Jim Morrill Jr. (86) and 55 ahead of Dave McNeight III (43).   

The one race Cummings didn’t win was the featured $14,000 fillies and mares Open I Handicap pace where John Macdonlad piloted Protect Blue Chip from the pocket to procure the purse.

Ready Set Rock (Denny Bucerri) was sent down the road from her pylon position start, put Protect Blue Chip in the garden spot and had things under control until My Standards (Drew Monti) came calling from fourth at the half in a soggy :59. My Standards forced Ready Set Rock to pick up the pace as she strode alongside in a 1:28 three-quarters, where Tres Chic Bluechip (Kevin Cummings) joined the party with a three-deep move.

As the group entered the stretch, the two outside attackers' bid failed, allowing room for Protect Blue Chip to vacate the pocket and challenge for the win. While Ready Set Rock was under heavy urging, Macdonald simply tapped the wheel disk once and Protect Blue Chip passed the leader and held off the late closing So Admirable (Shawn McDonough) at the line to win by a neck in 1:58.1. 

It was the sixth win of the year for Protect Blue Chip ($9.40) who is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing. Maria Rice was the winning trainer. 

In what was clearly a very even playing field, 13 different trainers claimed one race each on Wednesday. 

A $1,662 carryover and $5,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool in race one on Wednesday generated a handle of $7,718 for that bet and produced a $6,204.25 payout for the winning combination of 2-1-8-5-1 for the 50-cent wager. 

Batavia Downs honored local driving and training legend Gerry Sarama Wednesday on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Sarama started his racing career in western New York in 1966 and hit the heights at Roosevelt Raceway in the 1980’s where he competed against some of the greatest horsemen of all time. During his driving career, Sarama won 2,630 races and over $11 million earned in purses. Last year he reached the 1,000 win plateau for training and has earned another $6.5 million as a conditioner. All the horsemen and horsewomen as well as all the management and staff of Batavia Downs, wish "The Man With the Hands", Gerry Sarama the very best on this special day. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 22) at 6 p.m. and there is another carryover available. The Jackpot Hi-5 Pentafecta in the 13th race will start with $823.54 in the pool. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab and then you watch all the races live on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel.

Bouncing back from his outstanding debut at Batavia Downs last week, Rebellious was strong on the point to take his second straight win in Genesee County and fourth consecutive win overall winning the $15,000 Open I Handicap pacing feature on Saturday night (Oct. 8). 

Jim Morrill Jr. got caught three-wide with Rebellious rushing for the front but finally got the lead from Ideal Artillery (Jim McNeight Jr.) past the :26.4 quarter. The odd-man out in that early dust-up was Issac (Kyle Cummings) who got caught parked from there until he faded at the five-eighths pole. It was also there that Rebellious and Ideal Artillery broke away from the field by three lengths heading towards three-quarters. Positions remained the same around the last turn until Ideal Artillery tipped at the head of the lane. Racing under heavy urging, Ideal Artillery gained some ground on the leader but Rebellious was just too good and would not be denied as he won by one-half length in 1:53.3.

With his 11th win of the year, Rebellious ($4.40) pushed his earnings to $94,058 for owners Joel Warner and Mike Deters, who also trains the winner. 

Morrill ended the night with two wins in the bike. 

The $14,000 Open II Handicap pace was an equally exciting event where Stranger Things dropped out of the top class to score a decisive four length victory.  

Brave World (Dave McNeight III) called the shots early but got pressure before the half from Sanatana Beach (Keith Kash) who pulled first up and had Stranger Things (Kevin Cummings) following him -- one out and one back. Santana Beach reached his limit halfway up the backside and that's where Cummings went three-deep with Stranger Things, and he exploded during the move. Stranger Things crossed over before the turn, opened up 2-¾ lengths while in it and then ran off the screen in the stretch, winning in 1:55 flat. 

Stranger Things ($2.60) got his ninth win of 2022 and went over $200,000 lifetime as a result, now showing $206,626 on his card. Virginia Schoeffel, Kathy Schoeffle and James Reuther own the Angello Nappo-trained gelding.  

Kyle Cummings was the leading driver on Saturday, scoring a natural hat trick in races one, three and four (he did not drive in race two). And for the second straight night, 10 different trainers won one race apiece. 

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 12) there will be two carryovers and one guaranteed pool. The first $1,392 carryover will be in the first race for the Pick-5 wager and the pool will be guaranteed at $5,000 through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. Free program pages for races one through five on Wednesday will be available at ustrotting.com starting Sunday (Oct. 9). The second $184 carryover will be in race 13 for the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta wager. 

Post time for the first race is at 6 p.m.

Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab and then you watch all the races live on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery

Batavia Downs featured two Open paces for fillies and mares on Wednesday night (Oct. 5) and both top distaff classes were won by New Zealand-bred mares who showed their mettle in victory. 

The $15,000 Open I Handicap went to Pocono Downs shipper The Stunning Nun N who made her Batavia debut memorable. 

The Stunning Nun N (Jim Morrill Jr.) got away third as Ready Set Rock (Kevin Cummings) claimed the front, but Morrill couldn’t wait and came early to take the top at the quarter. From there he settled his mare in and dictated the rest of the mile. Saulsbrook Olympia (Dave McNeight III) was the first one to challenge as they headed onto the second circuit and drew alongside The Stunning Nun N approaching three-quarters and from there the race was on. The Stunning Nun N first pushed away and got a one-length advantage heading into the stretch. But Saulsbrook Olympia fought back heading to the wire and crept back up on the leader. She got to within one-half length but The Stunning Nun N refused to lose and hit the line first in 1:55.2. 

It was the fifth win of the year for The Stunning Nun N ($3.00) who is trained and owned by Mike Deters, in partnership with Joel Warner, John Manning and Barbara Jensen. 

Morrill ended up winning a total of four races on Wednesday as he also scored with Jeremes General (1:56. $6.20), Embrace The Rust (1:58.3, $5.40) and BJ Lorado (1:59.3, $2.40). 

In the co-featured $14,000 fillies and mares Open II Handicap, Misty Memory N (Dave McNeight III) got away fifth watching Ideally Sweet (Jim Morrill Jr.) lead the field to the half. It was there that McNeight came first over with Misty Memory N and started the slow grind in the breeze towards the leader. When they got to three-quarters, Ideally Sweet was still two lengths ahead of the parked-third Misty Memory N, but this game mare just kept digging. She made up the incremental ground around the last turn and never drew even with the leader until halfway down the stretch. But Misty Memory N eventually got the lead and held off the tripping My Standards (Kevin Cummings) who made a late dash, to win by one-half length in 1:55.3. 

Misty Memory N ($6.90) is owned by Mark Toth and Paul Lang and is trained by Jeniffer Giuliani. 

Besides Morrill, other participants with multiple wins on Wednesday include drivers John Macdonald with three and Drew Monti with two and trainers Angelo Nappo and Maria Rice also with two wins each. 

The Jackpot Super Hi-5 in the 12th race that had a carryover of $829 on Wednesday night was hit and the 2-4-3-5-1 combination returned $1,428.20 for the 20-cent wager. . 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 7) at 6 p.m. This is the final Friday night of racing for 2022. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab and then you watch all the races live on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel.

Photos by Wendy J. Lowery

Following his stellar outing of Friday (Sept. 30) at Batavia Downs, driver Jim Morrill Jr. bounced back with another unbelievable performance on Saturday (Oct. 1) as he won five more races including the top two paces.

The $15,000 Open I Handicap went to Morrill and Rebellious, who got away fourth as Just Plain Loco (Dave McNeight III) took the field to the half in :55.4. There, Morrill made a second-over move following Surfer Beach (Greg Merton) who got it in gear heading into turn three. Surfer Beach cleared at three-quarters and Rebellious then followed him again to the top of the stretch. Heading down the lane Rebellious tipped out and got rowdy. He paced right by Surfer Beach and got home on top by 2-¾ lengths in 1:53.2.

It was the third win in a row, tenth win of the year and 65th-lifetime victory for the half-million dollar earner Rebellious ($4.40) who is owned by his trainer Mike Deters in partnership with Joel Warner. 

Then in the $14,000 Open II Handicap Morrill took the garden spot with Mississippi Rabbit behind American Trademark (Keith Kash) to the half in a very tepid :59.2. The slow-going forced Stop Action (Shawn McDonough) to brush and crush to the lead up the backstretch and open up a three-length lead heading into the stretch. But Morrill rousted Mississippi Rabbit and high lined him all the way home to a one-length win in 1:55.2. 

It was also the third win in a row for Mississippi Rabbit ($4.70) who is owned by Rocco Stebbins and trained by Joe Skowyra.  

Morrill also won with Dewar N Jack (1:56.1, $9.30), Century Grizzly (1:54.2, $3.30) and  Major Asset (1:54.2, $4.00). Morrill drove in 11 races Saturday night and aside from the wins, never missed the board. He finished second four times and third twice giving him an unheard-of UDR of .717 for the night. 

At the start of this racing week, Morrill was 12 races behind Kevin Cummings for the dash lead at this meet. Now after only three days of racing he has closed that gap to three. Cummings currently sits with 78 wins and after Saturday’s action, Morrill now has 75. 

Morrill wasn’t the only one winning races. Drivers Drew Monti, Dave McNeight III and Greg Merton each had two wins on the card as did trainers Chris Naedele and Maria Rice. 

The $1,960 carryover and $5,000 guaranteed pool on the Pick-5 wager in race one brought $5,328 in new money and provided a winning payout of $595.50 for a 50-cent wager on the combination of 2-2-3-2-2,3. However, the Jackpot Super Hi-5 in the last race was not hit and that carryover has grown to $829 for that wager in the the12th race on Wednesday night. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 5) at 6 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab and then you watch all the races live on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery.

Driver Jim Morrill Jr. continued his hot streak Friday night (Sept. 30) after he registered another grand slam in the bike at Batavia Downs and it was highlighted by winning the $15,000 Open Handicap trot with the 11-1 shot, Batting Stats. 

Assigned post one, Batting Stats was sent right to the front of the short six-horse field and held the lead at every station. After passing three-quarters in 1:27.2 while rebuffing a challenge from Night Flyer K (Greg Merton), Morrill and Batting Stats had two lengths at the top of the stretch and held off a late charge from Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) to win by 1-¾ lengths in a season’s best 1:57 flat. 

Batting Stats ($25.80) is owned by Mike Ohol Jr. and trained by Mike Ohol. 

Morrill also scored with the 13-year-old Osprey Vision ($9.30) who got his 49th-lifetime win, Batavia’s 2021 Claimer of the Meet Raksmach N ($1:57.1, $3.80) and Tioga Downs invader Defcon Seelster ($1:58, $4.00). 

In the co-featured $14,000 Open II Handicap trot, Lightfooted Legend overcame early adversity to taste late success. Off the gate, Franks Watching (Ray Fisher Jr.) and Gemini Eddie (Kevin Cummings) both made breaks as Lightfooted Legend (Shawn McDonough) darted for the lead. But at the eighth pole, Lightfooted Legend also jumped, along with the three-wide Pilgrim Caviar (Dave McNeight III), allowing the only horse who didn’t break in the race, Lunar Credit (Jim McNeight Jr.), finally reach the front. McDonough regrouped Lightfooted Legend and put him on the leader’s back and the pair then trotted in line to three-quarters where Lightfooted Legend tipped out and went right after Lunar Credit. The trotters matched strides around the last turn and into the stretch Lightfooted Legend rallied late to win by 1-¼ lengths in 1:57.2.

The Dale Gilmour-trained Lightfooted Legend ($6.40) is owned by David Linker.

Lightfooted Legend was one of two driving wins for McDonough who also registered one training victory on Friday. Driver Ray Fisher Jr. and trainer Ryan Swift teamed up to get two winners across as well. 

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 31) there will be two carryovers and one guaranteed pool. The Pick-5 wager in races one through five has a carryover of $1,960 and the wager will have a guaranteed $5,000 pool through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering program. Free race pages for those races will be available at ustrotting.com tomorrow morning. Then in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 in race 12, there is a $647 carryover as well. Post time for race one on Saturday is at 6 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery

It’s not too often a 3-year-old pacing filly can knock off a field of top-class older mares, but it happened on Wednesday night (Sept. 28) at Batavia Downs when Tres Chic Bluechip carried the mail all the way to the wire in the $15,000 Open I Handicap Distaff pacing feature. 

Last week’s winner Pretty Blue Angel (Keith Kash) battled So Admirable (Jim Morrill Jr.) for the lead and got it after a :28.1 quarter. With a two length lead, Pretty Blue Angel proceeded to the half and headed into the third turn where a lot then happened. Tres Chic Bluechip (Kevin Cummings) was approaching the leader from third while Farmerwhosemydaddy (Kyle Cummings) and post-time favorite Saulsbrook Olympia (Dave McNeight III) hooked wheels and effectively took themselves out of the race. 

Tres Chic Bluechip drew alongside Pretty Blue Angel on the backstretch and took a short lead in the breeze at three-quarters. The pair paced almost even around the far turn and took the issue into the homestretch. After a solid attempt by Pretty Blue Angel to come back, Tres Chic Bluechip was just too much and paced away by 3-¼ lengths to win in 1:56.2. 

It was the ninth win of the year for Tres Chic Bluechip ($9.90) and pushed her earnings to $57,185 this year for owner John Sixt. Judy Blaun trains the filly. 

There were also a pair of $11,000 upper-level condition races for female pacers on Wednesday. 

In the first, Faithful Desire (Jim Morrill Jr.) took the lead while Dontustopbelieven N (Kevin Cummings followed her through fractions of :29, :58.1 and 1:26.2. At the top of the stretch Dontustopbelieven N popped the pocket and made up some ground heading home. But it wasn’t enough as Faithful Desire hung on by one-half length in 1:55.2. 

Faithful Desire ($12.80) got her third win in her last four starts for the Crazy Parrot Farm and trainer Shawn McDonough. 

Then in the second, Ready Set Rock (Kevin Cummings) left the gate and was never headed from there. With Misty Memory N (Dave McNeight III) tracking from second, Ready Set Rock went :27.3, :57.1 and 1:25.3 before turning for home and keeping the field at bay in a 1:55 victory. 

A recent Maine import, Ready Set Rock ($11.60) got his seventh win of the year for current owner Mike Torcello. Sammy Smith is the trainer. 

Ready Set Rock was the fourth hit in Kevin Cummings grand slam on Wednesday after he had already scored with the aforementioned Tres Chic Bluechip, Parkhill Horton (1:58.3, $12.40) and Tucson Breeze (1:58.2, $3.30). 

Trainer Shawn McDonough led all trainers on the card with a hat trick of his own. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 30) at 6 p.m., one of only two Fridays left on the live racing schedule this year. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery

The Riddler and Vanna White would have been proud of the betting public after they figured out Puzzling should be the favorite in the $15,000 Open I Handicap on Saturday night (Sept. 24) at Batavia Downs and then collected their money after he dominated the locals with his season’s best effort. 

Jim Morrill Jr. picked up the drive on the shipper Puzzling who was making his first ever start at the Downs. He wrangled the lead away from Stop Action (Kevin Cummings) at the :27 quarter and then laid the lumber on his foes from there. Morrill had the grippers on Puzzling to the half in a slow :29.1 and then rebuffed a challenge from Ideal Artillery (Jim McNeight Jr.) through the third quarter in a stepped-up :27.4. As the pocket-sitting Stop Action started to lose touch around the last turn, Puzzling took a two length lead into the stretch and cruised home to a 2-¼ length victory over Stratosphere (Drew Monti) in 1:52.3. 

A 10-time winner in 2021, this was the second win and fastest time of this year for Puzzling ($6.70) who is owned by Rocco Stebbins. This was one of two wins on Saturday for trainer Joe Skowyra who also sent the Stebbins’ owned Mississippi Rabbit (1:54.1, $3.20) to the winner's circle. Morrill ended the night with three winners. 

The undercard $14,000 Open II Handicap saw Blue Spanx (Keith Kash) set the pace to the half where Stranger Things (Kevin Cummings) pulled first-over with a rush. It took Stranger Things a quarter to draw even with Blue Spanx but when he did, it was a real race to the wire. The two pacers matched strides all the way down the stretch in close quarters and under heavy urging. When they hit the light Blue Spanx had the win by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.3. However, shortly after the race ended, the judges posted an inquiry and eventually placed Blue Spanx second for interfering with Stranger Things in the stretch, and declared Stranger Things the winner. 

As a result, Stranger Things ($5.90) got his third win in his last four starts and eighth win of the year for owners Virginia Schoeffel, Kathy Schoeffel and James Reuther. Angelo Nappo was the winning conditioner. Cummings had the hat trick in the bike by the evenings end. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 24) at 6 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery

The top local trotting talent was on full display at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 23) and the co-featured Opens both produced come from behind victories. 

In the $15,000 Open I Handicap, C R Blazin Beauty (Dave McNeight III) led off the gate and halfway up the backstretch before Night Flyer K (Jim Morrill Jr.) grabbed the front approaching the :28.2 quarter. From there no one made a move until the five-eighths where Jumpinthejailhouse (Kevin Cummings) pulled and tried to advance on Night Flyer K, but was only able to get as far as second as they headed around the last turn. When the race proceeded into the stretch, Jumpinthejailhouse faded allowing the pocket-sitting C R Blazin Beauty the out, and she came with a flurry. C R Blazin Beauty trotted up a storm in deep stretch and blew by Night Flyer K while holding off the late closing Credit List (Kyle Cummings) to win by 1-½ lengths in 1:57. 

The Marissa Russo-owned and Dave Russo-trained C R Blazin Beauty ($15.60) captured her 47th-lifetime win and advanced her career earnings to $398,022 as a result. Dave Russo ended the night with two winners to top all trainers on Friday. 

Earlier in the $14,000 Open II Handicap trot, Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) overcame the assigned outside post to nab his sixth win of the year. Sanchez Rocks (Drew Monti) led the field for three-quarters of the mile while Lunar Credit (Jim McNeight Jr.) escorted him on the outside from the half. Lougazi was third-over during that time and drafted there until the last turn when he went three deep and out-trotted everyone to the line and won by 1-¼ lengths in 1:59.1. 

Lougazi ($3.60) pushed his bank to $76,810 this year for owner Mary Warriner on the strength of that victory. Ryan Swift trains the trotter. 

Kyle Cummings was the leading driver on Friday recording three wins during the proceedings.

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 24) at 6 p.m. there will be two carryovers to note for that card. The first is a sizable $1,478 in the Pick-5 in the first race and the second comes in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 in race 11 and that is worth $190. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery

After winning four races on Friday night (Sept. 16) at Batavia Downs, the track’s leading driver, Kevin Cummings took it up a notch and won five more on Saturday (Sept. 17). Cummings took the early double with Luis Alberto N (1:56.3, $2.20) and Oreo Dream Xtreme (1:53.3, $4.30) and then reeled in Street Beats (1:56.3, $5.00), Stop Action (1:54.1, $2.90) and Brave World (1:55.4, $3.30).  Cummings also had four second place finishes giving him a .657 UDR for the evening. 

Two races that Cummings didn’t win were the feature races that for the second straight night were won by Jim Morrill Jr.

First Morrill scored with Surfer Beach in the $15,000 Open pace and did it in impressive fashion. Maintaining a gapped advantage from the time he left, Surfer Beach ticked off splits of :27.4, :56.3 and 1:24.1 before rounding the last turn on top by two lengths. He then sped home in another :27.4 sprint to the wire where he won in an impressive 1:52.

It was the fifth win of the year for Surfer Beach ($4.90) and owners Vogel & Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing. Maria Rice was the winning trainer. 

Then Morrill took the $14,000 Open II pace with Out On Bail, who settled on the lead by the :28 quarter after a give-and-go with Stranger Things (Kevin Cummings) who was content with the garden spot. Positions remained unchanged from there as Out On Bail hit the half in :57.2 and three-quarters in 1:25.1. At the top of the stretch Stranger Things tipped to attack, but by the time he got in the two path, Out On Bail had fled the scene. Morrill slung low in the seat and Out On Bail crossed the line up by two in 1:53.1.

Out On Bail ($3.50) is having a career year, now with eight wins and $74,491 earned for owner Mike Torcello. This was one of three wins for Sammy Smith on the card who also scored with the aforementioned Street Beats and Brave World. Morrill ended the night with a triple. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 21) with post time at 6 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery

Jim Morrill Jr. was on fire Friday night (Sept.16) at Batavia Downs, winning five out of the 10 races on the card including both feature races.

In the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot, Morrill left with Credit List and took no prisoners in the process. He parked Frank’s Watching (Ray FIsher Jr.) who eventually ducked in second and Jumpinthejailhouse (Kevin Cummings) who could not find a seat and was destined for a long evening. Credit List went through quarters of :28.2 and :57.1 while Jumpinthejailhouse drafted in the breeze. As they motored up the backstretch, Jumpinthejailhouse was fading and Golden Kronos (Drew Monti) was winging three-deep around him on his advance towards the leader. Golden Kronos got to within one length of Credit List but that was it as Morrill shook him loose down the lane and won by two lengths in 1:57. 

It was the fifth win of the year for Credit List ($4.60) who is owned by Room4040 LLC Stables and trained by Kevin Reynolds Jr. 

In the $14,000 Open II Handicap, Morrill also left with Night Flyer K from his pylon position start and led at every station as well. After splits of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:27.1, Morrill asked for more and got it as Night Flyer K swelled up in the lane and kicked away by 3-¾ lengths to win in 1:56.2, which was the fastest win time ever by the mare over a half mile track and only one-fifth of a second off the Batavia Downs track record for aged trotting mares that coincidentally is co-owned by the second place finisher C R Blazin Beauty (2019), along with Chelsea’s Chance (2018). 

Fresh in from Yonkers, Night Flyer K ($4.00) was victorious in her first start for her new connections Vogel & Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing. Maria Rice is the winning conditioner. 

Morrill completed his quintet conquest with Osprey Vision (1:59.1, $5.10), Joey Pro (1:58.1, $2.10) and Always A Force (1:54.2, $4.40). Four of Morrill’s five wins came in grand slam fashion in races five, six, seven and eight. 

Morrill is currently in second place for dash wins at the Batavia meet and one might think that Friday’s performance would bring him that much closer to the top. However the current leader is Kevin Cummings and not to be outdone by Morrill, he had four wins of his own during the card so Morrill only closed the gap by one. After Friday’s action Cummings now has 65 wins and Morrill has 53.  

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 17) with post time at 6 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery

James V. Compton, 80, passed away on Sept. 13, 2022.

Mr. Compton was born on February 17, 1942 in Batavia, New York to the late Cecil and Alice Compton of East Pembroke, New York. He received his education at Corfu High School and worked as a milkman in the days of home delivery, then as a machinist before going to General Motors in Rochester, where he would retire.

Mr. Compton also loved horses and that led him to become involved in harness racing at Batavia Downs. He first got his license in 1972 and became both a successful driver and trainer that competed at several tracks in upstate New York. Early in his career he raced mostly claimers but starting in the early 1990’s he experienced some real success.

First came Held For Ransom who was an Open pacer that Compton both trained and drove and eventually won 51 races along with $125,115 in purses. Then when Held For Ransom’s racing career was over, Compton and his wife Sandra bred him to one of their retired race mares, suspicion Burns, and the result was his most notable horse, Michael Scores.

Michael Scores (1:50.4, $668,079) started out as a New York Sire Stake star and went on to be an overnight Open legend and will forever be considered one of the greatest pacers to come out of western New York. Out of 275 lifetime starts, Michael Scores won 86 races, finished second 47 times and third 27 more. His biggest win came in 2006 when he captured the Kane Memorial pace at Batavia Downs and set a new all-time track record of 1:52.1.

A short list of other notable horses campaigned by Mr. Compton include 55-race winner Gasper Again (1:53.4, $165,975), 50-race winner Splurging Rita (1:58.2, $161,231) and Sly Hi (1:56.1, $70,953).

During his career, Mr. Compton compiled some impressive numbers. As a driver he had 522 wins, 459 seconds and 367 thirds out of only 2725 starts, giving him a stellar .330 UDR and $1,137,716 in earnings. As a trainer he had 2,892 starts with 578 wins, 483 seconds and 385 thirds that gave him a .337 UTR and $1,934,431 in earnings.

Mr. Compton is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Sandra L. Compton; his children, Kevin Compton of E Bethany, Roger Compton and his wife, Cheryl of Bloomfield NJ, Cheryl Squire and her husband, Timothy of Wakefield NC, Jeanne Palmer and her husband, Albert of Warsaw NY.

Mr. Compton also has 6 grandchildren; Taylor Squire, Rachael Boynton, Aaron Pahuta, Allyssa Compton-Disla, Michael Compton and Amanda Palmer; 2 great-grandchildren, Addison Gregg and Ethan Boynton; sister-in-law, Grace Compton; brother-in-law, Wayne Speed; Patty Beverly and her family, John Nelson and his family, Geri Puma and her family, along with many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Mr. Compton is predeceased by his siblings, Phillip Compton, Richard Compton and Carol Speed, as well as his grandson, Zachary Squire.

Family and friends may call on Sunday (Sept. 18) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake St. Rd. (Rt. 19), LeRoy, New York. His Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday (Sept. 19) at 11:00 a.m. at Northgate Free Methodist Church, 8160 Bank St. Rd., Batavia, New York. Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery, East Pembroke, New York.

After winning two straight top paces for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs, Shallow was handicapped by post eight and seven the following two weeks and did not hit the board. This week she caught a short field but still had to dig deep to win the $15,000 Open I pace for fillies and mares on Wednesday evening (Sept. 14). 

They were three deep into the first turn when Shallow (Ray Fisher Jr.) out-tussled So Admirable (Jim Morrill Jr.) for the lead motoring to the quarter in :28.2. But Morrill wasn’t content with a pocket trip and pulled So Admirable in front of the stands and took control of the top before they hit the half in :58.1. 

Heading past the five-eighths, Tres Chic Bluechip (Kevin Cummings) pulled first-up but couldn not get closer than third on the rim as So Admirable was stretching out to a 2-¼ length advantage by the three-quarters. Heading into the lane, Shallow ducked into the passing lane while Tres Chic Bluechip went outside of So Admirable, making it three across the track. They stayed even for several strides but Shallow got the advantage in deep stretch and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:55. 

Shallow ($10.40) hit double digits in the win category, now sporting 10 victories in 2022 and they earned $82,616 for her owner Room4040 LLC Stables. Andy Gardner trains the winner. 

In the $11,000 upper-level conditioned event also written for distaff participants, Faithful Desire (Jim Morrill Jr.) drafted perfectly behind Misty Memory N (Dave McNeight III) through fractions of :29, :59.3 and 1:27.3 before tipping off cover and pacing home in a stiff :27.4 to win by one-half length in 1:55.3. 

Scoring her second win in the last three starts and sixth win of the year, Faithful Desire ($5.00) is owned by Crazy Parrot Farm and is trained by Shawn McDonough. 

Faithful Desire was the fourth win of the night for Morrill, who led all drivers for output on Wednesday. Tom Mays led all trainers for wins with two. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 16) with post time at 6 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery

Taking full advantage of a soft second quarter, Just Plain Loco hit the gas in the second half and put away the field in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 10).

Dave McNieght III left hard with Just Plain Loco, seated fellow leaver Stratosphere (Drew Monti) in the first turn and then took the field to the quarter in :27.4. With the six-horse field staying single file from there, McNieght grabbed leather and backed off the second panel to :30.1 and that was the game changer. Surfer Beach (Jack Rice) made the first over move and tried to advance towards the leader, but Just Plain Loco had another plan in mind.

He sped to three-quarters in 1:25.3 and put some distance between himself and the field before heading into the last turn. At the top of the stretch Just Plain Loco had a two-length advantage and a lot left in the tank as he paced home in 1:53.1, which was just one-fifth of a second off his season's best effort. 

It was the seventh win of the year for Just Plain Loco ($4.30) who is owned by Paul Lang and Mark Toth. Jennifer Giuliani trains the winner. 

McNeight had two wins during the night. 

The $14,000 Open II Handicap pace was a real slugfest and only the photo finish camera could separate three horses at the wire. 

Drunkonaplane (Jack Rice) left and got the cold shoulder from the pylon-starter Yankee On The Move (Kyle Cummings). The two went at it through quarters of :27.3 and :56.1 before Ideal Artillery (Drew Monti) rolled up first in the breeze and tipped three wide around the fading Drunkonaplane at the five-eighths pole. 

Ideal Artillery then hooked up with Yankee On The Move at three-quarters and they paced in unison around the far turn and into the stretch. It was there that American Trademark (Keith Kash) shook loose and made it three across the track. Under heavy urging, the trio battled all the way to the line where Ideal Artillery got a nose in front to win in 1:53.4. 

Ideal Artillery ($5.70) is owned by Howard and Michael Ouriel and is trained by Don Rothfuss.

Kevin Cummings was the top driver on Saturday with three wins during the proceedings. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 14) with post time at 6 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery.

Richard R. Mays, of Hamburg, passed away on Sept. 7, 2022, after a fierce battle with cancer.

Mr. Mays was a lifelong horseman who competed in western New York for 50 years. He was first licensed in 1973 at the age of 16 and has been competing at tracks across New York state ever since. He experienced great early career driving success with the Open pacing mare May O’neighs (2:01.1, $83,925) and Open pacing gelding Lyron Hanover (1:59.3, $127,242) along with a list of other top horses that he raced at Batavia Downs. Later in his career when he switched to training more than driving, Mr. Mays developed many solid racehorses including the multiple stakes winner Two Twentytwo (1:51.3, $293,729).  

During his career, Mr. Mays drove 1,638 winners that earned $4,222,626. He trained another 321 winners which added $1,585,531 to his purse total. His total career efforts won him 1,959 races that benefited his horse’s connections $5,808,157. Mr. Mays was actively racing right up until the time of his passing.

Mr. Mays was the beloved husband of Karen M. Mays (nee Babcock), loving father of Christopher (Frances) Mays, Jamie Simmons, and Scott Mays, dear grandpa of Tyler, Mayson, Maddie, and Hudson, dearest son of the late Frank and Marion Mays, loving brother of Frank Jr., Robert, Terry, Tom, and Joyce. Mr. Mays is also survived by a large loving family and many dear friends.

The family will be present to receive relatives and friends on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Hamburg Chapel of the John J. Kaczor Funeral Home, 5453 Southwestern Blvd. (corner of Rogers Rd.) where a closing prayer will be said at 7 p.m. Please share condolences at www.kaczorfunerals.com.