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Notre Dame overcomes Clyde-Savannah 20-6

By Howard B. Owens

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame were solid against Clyde Savannah on Saturday for a 20-6 win

Scoring:

  • Notre Dame, Jay Antinore's pass complete to Jaden Sherwood for 27 yards.  PAT Brandon Carrick.
  • Notre Dame, Jay Antinore connects with Jaden Sherwood for a 7-yard TD  PAT Brandon Carrick.
  • Clyde Savannah, Zymere Smith runs for 17 yards. Two-point conversion attempt fails
  • Nortre Dame, Jay Antinore runs for 16 yards.  

Antinore was 13-19 passing for 258 yards.  He also threw three interceptions. Antinore ran for 67 yards and a TD.

Ryan Fitzpatrick and James Fanara each had four receptions, for 140 and 51 yards respectively.

Jaden Sherwood and Ryan Fitzpatrick led the team in tackles with five apiece.

Alexander beasts Cuba-Rushford 41-7

By Howard B. Owens

Alexander scored the first six times the Trojans touched the football on Friday against Cuba-Rushford leading to a 41-7 win.

Scores:

  • A 25-yard pass play from Trent Woods to Kaden Lyons. 
  • Woods, 25-yards, to Benny Merrill in back left corner of the endzone.   
  • Woods again connected with Lyons and after breaking two tackles Kaden crossed the goal line from 15-yards out. 
  • One minute later Tyler Marino had a pick-six from 50 yards out
  • With 2 minutes to go in the half, 2-yard run by RB Ricky Townley. 
  • In the third quarter, the Trojans moved the ball down the field and Trenton Woods finished the drive with an 8-yard keeper

Cuba-Rushford scored on the final play of the game.

Townley ran eight times for 65 yards and one TD. Woods had six carries for 64 yards and one TD  and was 4-6 passing for 64 yards and three touchdowns. Kaden Lyons had two carries for 23 yards and two receptions for 40 yards and 2 TDs.

Defensively Mason Bump and Kaden Lyons along with Ricky Townley each had seven tackles. 

Batavia wins on the road 41-20

By Howard B. Owens

From the start, the Batavia Blue Devils easily handled another opponent, cruising to a 41-20 win over Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton on Friday night.

Carter McFollins opened the scoring with a 90-yard kickoff return.

Batavia scored again on the first quarter on a 19-yard pass from Ja'vin McFollins to Cole Grazioplene.

In the second quarter,  Aiden Anderson on runs of 3 yards and 8 yards. 

In the second half, Mekhi Fortes scored on an 8-yard run, and Zay Griffin scored on a 65-yard run.

Wayland scored three times in the second-half.

For Batavia, Julia Petry connected on five of six point-after attempts.

For the game, Anderson ran for 109 yards on 14 attempts and Griffin 82 yards on three attempts.

Ja'vin McFollins was 7-11 passing for 121 yards.

Carter McFollins had two receptions for 55 yards.

On defense, Garret Schmidt had 10 tackles.

Down-under mares dominate Batavia features

By Tim Bojarski

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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

Batavia HS honors new Hall of Fame inductees for 2022

By Howard B. Owens

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Batavia High School honored some of its outstanding Blue Devils of athletic seasons past at the Athletic Department's annual Hall of Fame induction dinner, held this year at Batavia Downs.

Inducted were:

  • Benjamin Martino (1959): Football, Wrestling
  • Paul Blossom (1968): Football, Swimming, Track & Field
  • Richard Saunders (1971):Athlete: Swimming, Football, Baseball, Bowling; Coach: Swimming, Wrestling, Baseball
  • Sandy (Samiec) Reeg (1979): Tennis
  • Kristie (DuRei) DeFreze (2005): Gymnastics, Cheerleading, Track & Field
  • Michael Chmielowiec (2005): Basketball
  • Boys Basketball Team (2005): State Semi-Finalist
  • Jermaine Henderson (2006): Football, Track & Field

Photos by Howard Owens.  Top photo: Sandy (Semiec) Reeg, Rick Saunders, back, Michael Chmielowiec, front Benny Martino, Kritstie (DeRei) DeFreze, Jermaine Henderson, Paul Blossom.

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The 2005 Boys basketball team: Dan Kines, Justin Williams, Adam Brasky, Michael Chmielowiec, Kevin Saunders, Ballard Maye, Jon Tretter, Buddy Brasky.

Townsend rolls 299--797 at Mancuso Bowling Center

By Mike Pettinella

James Townsend of Batavia flirted with a perfect game and 800 series last week in the Tuesday Night Coed League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 24-year-old right-hander posted 264-299-234--797, with a 5-pin on the final ball of game two preventing him from a 300.

In other action at Mancuso's, Samantha Hyde started with a 266 game en route to a 640 series in the County Line Friday Trios League and Jennifer Wagner erupted for a 269 game in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 4-Man League.

At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Bill Neubert led the way in the Thursday Owls League with a 279 game and 758 series.

For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Morrill wins five including both features at Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

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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.

Alexander defeats Notre Dame 49-7

By Howard B. Owens

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Alexander had all of the pieces working -- offense, defense, and special teams -- in their 49-7 win over Notre Dame on Saturday.

Scoring Summary:

  • First quarter, 8:40, Alexander, Richard Townley 1-yard run. PAT by Dalton Selapack.
  • First quarter, 4:43, Alexander, Richard Townley, 10-yard run.  PAT by Dalton Selapack.
  • Second quarter, 11:14, Alexander, Bryceton Berry punt attempt blocked. Recovered by Kaden Lyons in the end zone. PAT by Dalton Selapack.
  • Second quarter, 7:07, Alexander, Mason Bump 8-yard run. PAT by Dalton Selapack.
  • Second quarter, 5:00, Notre Dame, James Fanara 3-yard pass complete to Ryan Fitzpatrick.  PAT by Brandon Carrick.
  • Second quarter, 2:53, Alexander, Richard Townley 4-yard run. PAT by Dalton Selapack.
  • Third quarter, 7:00, Alexander, Kaden Lyons 20-yard run. PAT by Dalton Selapack.
  • Third quarter, 1:25, Alexander, Mason Bump, 4-yard run. PAT by Dalton Selapack.

Trenton Woods was 6-10 passing for Alexander for 119 yards. 

Townley rushed for 61 yards on 12 attempts. Bump gained 53 yards on nine carries. Ben Merrill had three receptions for 62 yards.

For Notre Dame, James Fanara was 3-13 passing for 39 yards and a TD and he gained 31 yards on the ground on seven carries.

The Trojans remain undefeated at 4-0.  Notre Dame is 2-2.

Photos by Kristin Smith.  For more, click here.

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Dragons defeat Wellsville 41-14

By Howard B. Owens

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The Pembroke Dragons improved to 4-1 in eight-man football on Friday with a 41-14 win over Wellsville.

Tyson Totten rushed for 337 yards and four touchdowns to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing on the season.

Other scores were by Cayden Pfalzer and Caleb Felski.

Nathan Duttweiler led the team in tackles while Sean Pustulka and Avery Ferriera added an interception each.

Jayden Mast and Jayden Bridge each had a sack and Jacob Dulski a fumble recovery.

The Dragons play their last home game this Friday against the Holley Hawks for Homecoming and Senior Night. 

Submitted information and photos.

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Knights hold off Bishop Timon for 21-7 win

By Howard B. Owens

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The Oatkan Knights got back on the winning side of the ball on Friday night against Bishop Timon-St. Jude, coming up with a 21-7 win.

Le Roy converted three turnovers into scores and held strong on defense in the third quarter when Bishop threatened from inside their 10.

Scoring:

  • First quarter, Le Roy at 3:07, Tony Piazza 3-yard run (Andrew Pocock kick)
  • Fourth quarter, Le Roy at 5:34, Adrian Stephens2-yard pass to Merritt Holly, Jr. (Pocock kick)
  • Fourth quarter, Le Roy at 2:37, Tony Piazza 5-yard run (Pocock kick)
  • Fourth quarter, Bishop at 2:10, James McNeil Jr. 60-yard run (Andrew Fino kick)

Pizza rushed for 114 yards on 15 caries.

On defense, Jack Tonzi had six tackles.

Photos by Ed Henry. Top photo: Le Roy RB Tony Piazza bulls through the Timon defense.

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Le Roy RB Drew Strollo sweeps around the end.

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Cal Koukides (24) and Jack Tonzi (33) bring down the Timon RB.

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Huge LeRoy team push versus Bishop Timon.

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Cal Koukides (24) and Jackson Fix swarm the Timon receiver.

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Cal Koukides (24) broke up several passes in the contest.

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Ayden Riggi (67) rejoices with Connor Hegeman (21) after Connor's INT.

Batavia run away 42-0 victory over Pal-Mac on homecoming night

By Steve Ognibene

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The Blue Devils scored six unanswered touchdowns on their way to a 42-0 rout of Pal-Mac at home on Friday night.

Vincent Arroyo scored three times and Cam McClinic, twice --  Arroyo on receptions of 12 and 58 yards and a 79-yard kickoff return and McClinic on runs of seven and three yards.

QB Javin McFollins was 7-11 passing for 134 yards, two TDs and one interception.

McClinic rushed 14 times for 92 yards. Arroyo had three receptions for 86 yards.

On defense, Garrett Schmidt had 11 tackles, Meki Fortes, six, and Cooper Fix and Carrier McFollins, five each, with both Fix and McFollins snagging pickoffs.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

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Members of the 2022 batavia Athletic Hall of Fame Class will be inducted tonight and was recognized at halftime

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The Senior Class of 2023 won the Homecoming Spirit stick award

Team Genesee places fourth in gymnastics meet in Victor

By Howard B. Owens

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The Genesee gymnastic team placed fourth in its meet at Bright Raven in Victor on Friday.

Final team results: 

  • Pittsford: 132.325, 
  • Gates-Brighton: 118.025
  • Rush-Henrietta: 116.55
  • Genesee: 109.725
  • HFL: 49.175
  • Victor: 33.3

Individual results:

  • All Around: 1. Elizabeth Power (Pittsford): 36.625,  10. Emily Salmonds (Genesee): 29.125, 11. Roan Finn (Genesee): 28.75
  • Vault: 1. Elizabeth Power (Pittsford): 8.85, 12. Roan Finn & Mikayla Yohon (Genesee): 7.35, 16. Emily Salmonds (Genesee): 7.225
  • Uneven Bars: 1. Elizabeth Power (Pittsford): 9.25, 14. Haylie Leitten (Genesee): 6.4, 15. Emily Salmonds (Genesee): 6.3, 16. Roan Finn (Genesee): 6.25, 17. Gianna Trigilio (Genesee): 5.95
  • Balance Beam: 1. Elizabeth Power (Pittsford): 9.2, 8. Emily Salmonds (Genesee): 7.8, 14. Roan Finn (Genesee): 7.25,  16. Haylie Leitten (Genesee): 7.1
  • Floor Exercise: 1. Elizabeth Power (Pittsford): 9.325, 12. Roan Finn (Genesee): 7.9, 14. Emily Salmonds (Genesee): 7.8

"Even though the Genesee Varsity Gymnastics team placed 4th at the meet there were many personal bests to be happy about," said Head Coach Stephani Hamilton. "The girls will continue to work hard to achieve personal and team goals."

Their next meet is Saturday, Oct. 8 at MCA Gymnastics at 6 p.m. 

Photo and information submitted by Stephani Hamilton.

The 2022 Run for the Acorns is Sunday

By Press Release

Press release:

Enjoy a trail run in the Genesee County Park & Forest this weekend! Join us for the 10th annual Run for the ACORNS 5k/10k trail run and walk this Sunday, Oct 2 at the Genesee County Park & Forest!! Meet at Pavilion B on Raymond Road. In-person registration opens at 8 a.m. or register online at runsignup.com/Race/NY/EastBethany/RuntheAcorns. The price is $35/person and all proceeds benefit ACORNS, the nonprofit friends-of-the-park group. 10k begins at 9:00 am, and 5k run/walk begins at 9:15 a.m.

This 5k/10k trail run and walk is designed for people of all ages and activity levels.

5k and 10k courses are marked with signs and direction arrows. Your start and finish times will be recorded and posted to the results automatically. 10k runners must finish the first 5k of the race in 50 minutes or less or will be disqualified. The courses are on single and double-track trails through the forest, along a creek and up and down rolling hills in the Genesee County Park & Forest, with an estimated 100 feet of climb in the 10K loop. Trails are very wide and easy to negotiate (rocks and roots are clearly marked for safety). The courses start on asphalt and then lead into the woods for a truly beautiful run through the countryside.

Surround yourself with the beauty of the autumn forest on trails through the woods, along the headwaters of Black Creek and over rolling hills.

Awards will be given to the top male and female running finishers in each race and to the top male and female running finishers in each age group. You must be present to receive your medal. Enjoy post-race snacks and drinks as you congratulate your fellow participants.

Morrill wins four including Batavia Friday feature

By Tim Bojarski

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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

Tres Chic Bluechip grinds out Open win at Batavia

By Tim Bojarski

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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

BHS boys soccer shutout by Greece Olympia, 2-0

By Press Release

Game report from Coach Graham Halpin:

Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer lost a close game to Greece Olympia, 2-0, at VanDetta stadium last night. There was no score in the game until well into the second half when Olympia scored on a lucky breakaway followed soon after with a PK. The Batavia players played hard all game in the rainy conditions and had some good opportunities but were unable to score. 

Rick Howe records 299 at Le Roy Legion Lanes

By Mike Pettinella

Rick Howe of Le Roy started his league bowling season in fine fashion by rolling a 299 game on opening night of the American Legion Thursday Night Men's League at Le Roy Legion Lanes.

The 50-year-old right-hander, competing on lanes 1-2 on Sept. 15, started with 246 and 191 before stringing 11 straight strikes and leaving a crossover 8-pin on the final ball for the 299. His series was 736.

Howe does have one United States Bowling Congress-certified 300 game to his credit.

In other action around the Genesee Region USBC:

-- Karson Hurlburt of Arcade posted his first 300 game in the Thursday Nite Intertown League at Letchworth Pines. Hurlburt, 20, rolled games of 300, 246 and 203 for a 749 series.

-- Nick Johnson of Bergen finished with a 289 game for a 752 series in the Turnbull Heating Triples League at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia. The 41-year-old left-hander posted the last eight strikes in a 269 middle game and the first 10 strikes in the 289 before leaving a 10-pin.

For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

It was Puzzling who won Batavia’s feature

By Howard B. Owens

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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

Genesee Gymnastics showing improvement in Saturday's meet

By Howard B. Owens

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Genesee came in third in a Monroe County Athletics Gymnastics competition in Byron on Saturday.

The teams placed:

  • Fairport: 119.9
  • Gates-Brighton: 113.175
  • Genesee: 110. 025
  • Corning: 109.125

Individual results:

  • All Around: 1. Sarah Lago (Fairport): 31.35, 3. Roan Finn (Genesee): 28.775, 6. Emily Salmonds (Genesee): 28.4, 9. Haylie Leitten (Genesee): 27.2
  • Vault: 1. Sarah Lago (Fairport): 8.1, 2. Roan Finn (Genesee): 7.725, 6. Mikayla Yohon (Genesee): 7.45, 8. Emily Salmonds (Genesee): 7.275
  • Uneven Bars: 1. Maryclaire Wirth (Fairport): 7.1, 7. Haylie Leitten (Genesee): 6.5, 9. Emily Salmonds (Genesee): 6.475
  • Balance Beam: 1. Sophie Hain (Fairport): 8.725, 6. Haylie Leitten (Genesee): 7.75
  • Floor Exercise: 1. Sarah Lago (Fairport): 8.6, 5. Roan Finn (Genesee): 7.625

Genesee Coach Stephani Hamilton said, "The girls placed third out of four teams today and I am proud of them.  Each girl has increased her skill level on each event so far this season.  They will continue to strive for their goals." 

Genesee's next meet is Friday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. at Bright Raven in Victor.

Submitted information and photo.

C R Blazin Beauty, Lougazi impressive in Batavia Opens

By Tim Bojarski

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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

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