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Late Closers return to Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Three divisions of New York bred 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters, with purse money of $12,700 each, highlight the 12-race Wednesday evening (August 19) Batavia Downs Casino program. The action gets underway at 7:05 p.m.

Race two kicks off the Late Closing action. Aruba Vacation, by Dream Vacation, starts out at 5-2 on the morning line for trainer/driver Dan Daley. Aruba Vacation has earned over $7,300 after making four lifetime starts -- three against New York Sire Stakes competition and one in the Tompkins-Geers at Tioga. Also entered is the locally owned Wrinkle This, a Wrinkle In Time colt who is already a three-time winner, his last victory coming at the Caledonia fairgrounds.

Division two is carded as race five. Another Dan Daley juvenile, Sun Island, figures to get most of the attention. The CR Excalibur gelding comes off a second place finish in a $30,786 NYSS event at Saratoga. George Ducharme, trainer of Downs 2-year-old track record holder Donttellmywife, sends out the Malabar Man colt He’smyman. Local reinsman Jack Flanigen will be at the controls.

Race ten will be the final Late Closer of the evening. Incentive Hall, fresh off a second place finish last Sunday afternoon in a $25,149 New York State Fair event, looks poised for a big effort. The Conway Hall colt is trained by Jim Mulcahy. Kevin Cummings will be back in the sulky.

The Wednesday program also features the $9,000 Filly and Mares Open pace. Jezzabell Hotspur, already over $65,000 in seasonal earnings starts out as the favorite. Sherri Holliday conditions the talented side-wheeler for owner Betty Tauber. Chris Page will be in town to drive.

America’s oldest lighted harness track is currently racing every Monday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday. Simulcast action from North America’s top tracks is offered every day but Tuesday and the Gaming Floor, featuring over 600 slot machines is open 7 days a week, from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. 

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

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