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Guaranteed $3,000 Pick-5 pool Wednesday at Batavia

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs has announced there will be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager today (Nov. 25).

The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages are available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs and USTA websites or by clicking here

The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager and if all five winners aren’t selected, any carryover pool will be moved to the Pick-5 wager on the Saturday (Nov. 28) program.

Post time for the first race today is 5 p.m.

Holiday week draw schedule for Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Horsemen racing at Batavia Downs should be aware of the following draw schedule change for the races on Saturday, Nov. 28.

The draw for Saturday (Nov. 28) will take place on Tuesday (Nov. 24) instead of on Wednesday (Nov. 25), with the entry box closing at 9 am. Driver choices and scratches must be received by the judges on Wednesday (Nov. 25) no later than 9:30 a.m.

Programs will be printed on Wednesday (Nov. 25) due to Thursday (Nov. 26) being the Thanksgiving holiday.

The draw schedule for the remaining five race days of 2020 is as follows:

Race Day                           Draw Day

Saturday (Nov. 28)        Tuesday (Nov. 24)

Wednesday (Dec. 2)     Friday (Nov. 27)

Saturday (Dec. 5)         Wednesday (Dec. 2)

Wednesday (Dec. 9)     Friday (Dec. 4)

Saturday (Dec. 12)       Wednesday (Dec. 9)

Bowling: Gray Jr. posts 770, MacDonald rolls 751 in league action

By Mike Pettinella

Warsaw's Kevin Gray Jr. continued his red-hot bowling in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen this week.

The left-hander popped a 279 game en route to a 770 series, his second big 700 set in the past four weeks. At the end of October, he rolled a 798 series.

Gray's latest effort raised his average to 233 after 30 games.

In other action around the Genesee Region USBC last week:

-- Gary MacDonald of Batavia fired a 751 series in the Wednesday Nite Misfits at Mancuso Bowling Center, raising his average to 229.

-- Laurie Morgante of Bergen rolled 658 in the Wednesday Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl.

-- Darlene Balduf of South Byron spun a 261 game and 627 series in the Wednesday Nite Ladies League at Mancuso's.

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

Long Train Runnin kicks late in Batavia Downs Open

By Billie Owens

Photo: Long Train Runnin in the forefront, driven by Shawn McDonough.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Long Train Runnin showed a lot of heart and determination as he snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the $8,500 Open I Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 21). 

Long Train Runnin (Shawn McDonough) got away third as Stratosphere (Drew Monti) took the scratch-shortened, single-file field to the half in :58. As they passed that station, Long Train Runnin was already out first-over and moving fast towards the leader as they proceeded into the clubhouse turn. 

Moving towards three-quarters, Stratosphere and Long Train Runnin were pacing side-by-side and had broken away from the pack by three lengths on the strength of a :27.3 third panel. As they were rounding the final bend, Stratosphere pulled clear and opened up a length advantage heading into the stretch. But the relentless urging of McDonough reinvigorated Long Train Runnin who found another gear and caught Stratosphere at the wire by a head in 1:54.2.

It was the fifth win of the year for Long Train Runnin ($6.10) who has now earned $32,552 this year for owner WIlliam Emmons. Jim Clouser Jr. does the training.

Emmons and Clouser teamed up again in the very next race to capture the $7,500 Open II Handicap with McSpidey (Jim Morrill Jr.) who went wire to wire by 2-¼ lengths in 1:54.4. It was also the fifth win for McSpidey ($2.40) who is now over $343,000 in lifetime bank. 

Shawn McDonough had a huge night at Batavia on Saturday, driving four winners and sending two for pictures that he trained. McDonough steered the aforementioned Long Train Runnin, Are You In (1:58.2, $22.40), Santana Beach (1:56, $25.80) and Nesh Cruiser (1:58.1, $27.40), who he also trained along with PL Lester (1:54.3, $10.20). 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 25) with post time at 5 p.m. and there will be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 on Wednesday. The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages for races one through five will be available on the USTA and Batavia Downs websites early next week.

Jim Morrill Jr. reaches 7,500 win plateau at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Photo, Jim Morrill Jr. steers Love The Dragon to victory.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Driver Jim Morrill Jr. hit another milestone in his illustrious career after he steered Love The Dragon ($3) to victory in the third race at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 21) to reach 7,500 wins lifetime. In his typical style, Morrill went right to the front, rated a perfect mile and was a wrapped-up winner in 1:58.3.

To date, Jim Morrill Jr. now has 40,273 starts with 7,500 wins, 6,220 seconds and 5,152 thirds with $108,289,933 in earnings. Morrill currently sits 13th in North America for UDR with a mark of .380. At the current Batavia Downs meet, Morrill is the leading driver with 86 wins, $426,956 in purse money and a UDR of .381.

Morrill made his first start driving for his father at Foxboro Park in 1984. The family's operation eventually moved to Rosecroft Raceway where Morrill started getting many catch drives and soon found himself in high demand. In 1990 Morrill went to New York and started driving for Ray Schnittker and George Anthony at Yonkers Raceway and with much success achieved there, decided that move would be long term. 

During his time competing at the New York/New Jersey circuit Morrill recalled his most memorable race as being the 2004 Meadowlands Pace where Holborn Hanover was a 58-1 upset winner in 1:49 to equal the stake mark.

After 15 years of driving at the highest level, Morrill left the metropolitan area in 2005 and relocated his family and business to western New York and since arriving has not only been at the very top of the driver colony on that circuit, but also an annual dominant force in the New York Sire Stakes.

In 2006 at Batavia Downs, Morrill set the all-time driving standard for the track with 177 wins and a UDR of .537 for one meet. 

The staff of Batavia Downs along with all the horsemen wish to congratulate Jim Morrill Jr. on this outstanding accomplishment. 

Video: Schumer discusses the future of the Red Wings and the Muckdogs

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor
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At a press conference in Medina yesterday, Sen. Charles Schumer announced that the Rochester Red Wings will become an affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Nationals will move their AAA affiliate from Fresno, Calif., to Rochester.

He said he continues to fight to save the Muckdogs, the Doubledays, as well as the entire New York Penn League. We asked about Congress using its power to exempt Major League Baseball from its anti-trust exemption and he didn't answer the question directly.

Support Local News. Support Community News Coverage. Support The Batavian.

Notre Dame wins girls soccer title

By Howard B. Owens

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Notre Dame High School dominated Jasper-Troupsburg all game, winning 4-0. Autumn Mathisen earned game MVP, and scored 3 of the 4 goals of the game.

It is the first Section V title in girls soccer for Notre Dame.

Photos by Philip Casper.

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Captains Arabella Rogers #23, Autumn Mathisen #22, and Rachel Nickerson #15.

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Notre Dame is the Section D2 champion.

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Autumn Mathisen #22 kicking her third goal of the game.

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Hannah Tenney

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Arabella Rogers

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Coach Jarrod Clark

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Autumn Mathisen #22 with a front flip throw in.

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Sophi Johnston

Notre Dame softball player signs with GCC

By Press Release

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Nya Thomas, softball standout at Notre Dame High School, has signed with Genesee Community College. Thomas is the daughter of Otis and Nicole Thomas.

Photo*: Teagyn Thomas, Nya Thomas, Nicole Thomas, Gunnar Thomas; Back row. JC Kabel Edge (her coach on her travel team), and Mike Rapone, ND's athletic director.

*Otis Thomas was in quarantine and couldn't attend the signing.

Submitted photo and information.

Byron-Bergen loses in OT in girls' soccer sectional championship

By Howard B. Owens

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Byron-Bergen's girls' soccer team came up a goal short in an overtime loss to Geneseo on Wednesday night to miss out on a Section V Class C1 title.

Emma Starowitz scored the Bees' only goal.

Athletic Director Rich Hannan (who submitted the team photo) said, "we couldn't be more proud of them! OT losses always hurt but they stayed positive. A great group of kids."

Also in girls' soccer sectional finals on Wednesday, Le Roy lost to Bath-Haverling 5-1.

Il Mago takes third straight Batavia Open

By Billie Owens

Photo: Il Mago with driver Jim Morrill Jr. pictured near the pylons.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

It’s the same old story, same old song and dance for Il Mago, who has been seemingly unbeatable of late at Batavia Downs. And there was no page turned as he took yet another $8,500 Open I Handicap trot in Genesee County on Wednesday night (Nov. 18) over an off track that saw snow flurries earlier in the day. 

Jim Morrill Jr. took his usual spot on the point with Il Mago off the gate and cut fractions of :28.2 and :57.2 without any early challenges. But past the half, Cr Blazin Beauty (Dave McNeight III) came calling and would accompany the leader all the way to the wire. 

Cr Blazin Beauty trotted toward Il Mago up the backside and around the final turn and by the top of the stretch, the leader was in her sights. As the finish drew near it was clear Il Mago needed the line as Cr Blazin Beauty had now trotted alongside. But the 11-year-old Il Mago knows how to close the deal and he did once again, winning by a neck in 1:57.3.

It was the third straight win and fifth in the last seven for Il Mago ($5.20) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama. 

The Morrill, Torcello and Sarama team collectively had the Hat Trick on Wednesday as Toothofthedragon (1:58, $4.20) and Concertina’s Image (1:58.4, $6.80) also registered wins. 

In the undercard $7,500 Open II pace for fillies and mares, Wonderful World (Billy Davis Jr.) tripped-out behind Yankee Secret (Dave McNeight III) until the stretch where she pulled and paced away to a 1-3/4 length win in 1:56.4. Wonderful World ($11.00) is owned by Mike Carrubba and her trainer, Sabrina Shaw.  

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 21) with post time at 5 p.m.

 

Le Roy plays for sectional title tonight in girls soccer

By Howard B. Owens

For the second year in a row, the Le Roy Girls Soccer Team is heading to a sectional championship game after beating Mynderse 5-0.

They'll play #1 seed Bath tonight. Game time is 6 p.m. in Bath.

Maddie Keister scored two goals in the win over Mynderse. Bella Condidorio, Bryn Luckey, and Kailyn Tresco also each scored a goal. Keri Biggins had eight saves.

Also in girls soccer, Byron-Bergen plays for a sectional title at 7:30 p.m. against Geneseo in Avon.

Video by Tim McArdle.

Notre Dame girls soccer will play for possible first sectional title tomorrow

By Howard B. Owens

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The Notre Dame Girls Soccer Team will play for a sectional title tomorrow night for the first time in program history.

Last night, the Fighting Irish beat Andover 3-0. Sky Colontonio, Emma Sisson, and Arabella Rogers each scored goals. Goalkeeper Rebecka Nickerson had seven saves.

The team plays Jasper-Troupsburg at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Van Detta Stadium in Batavia.

Photo and info provided by Jarrod Clark.

$5,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool at Batavia Downs this afternoon

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

With no winner in the Pick-5 wager at Batavia Downs last Saturday (Nov. 14), the track will feature an $1,157 carry over and a guaranteed $5,000 pool in the Pick-5 wager today (Nov. 18).

The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages are now available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs and USTA websites or by clicking here.

The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager and if all five winners aren’t selected, any carryover pool will be moved to the Pick-5 wager on Saturday (Nov. 21) program.

Post time for the first race today is 5 p.m.

Bowling: Hyde wins Triple O Mechanical tournament at Rose Garden Bowl; Team Baney 1st at PAWS event

By Mike Pettinella

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In a battle of former Golden Gophers, Mickey Hyde of Le Roy defeated Mark Brown of Attica, 279-213, on Sunday to capture the 13th annual Triple O Mechanical Handicap Singles Tournament at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

Hyde rolled 269 scratch (he received 10 pins handicap) to cap a high-scoring day and claim the $500 first prize.

It is the second local singles tourney victory for Hyde in a year for the Bank of Castile Le Roy branch manager, who placed first in the Genesee Region USBC Senior Masters last November at Mount Morris Lanes -- using his favorite ball, the Roto-Grip Uproar in both competitions.

Hyde averaged 239 scratch for his seven games – three in the qualifying round and four in the eliminator-style finals, where two of the four bowlers on each pair of lanes advance to the next round.

Brown, who rolled 202 scratch in the title game (11 pins handicap), pocketed $250 for placing second in the event, which drew 58 entries.

Both Hyde (1984) and Brown (1987) are graduates of Pavilion High School and are longtime friends.

They reached the title match by defeating a pair of 18-year-olds, Dennis Van Duser of Perry and Kyle Johnson of Batavia, in the semifinals.

With handicap, Brown rolled 246, Hyde 242, Van Duser 228 and Johnson 212.

Van Duser and Johnson each won $110.

Quarterfinalists, winning $55 apiece, were Peter Pilaroscia and Scott Dingman of Rochester, and Jerry Menzie Jr. and Rob Husted of Bergen. Husted rolled 234 in the second round, falling three pins short of overtaking Hyde for the second spot behind Johnson’s 262.

Other cashers ($40) were Frank Jarkiewicz of Byron, Mike Johnson of Batavia, Brian Weber of Perry, Jillian Menzie and Harris Busmire of Bergen, Chris Mathis and Marcus Germonto of Rochester, and Mark Mack of Le Roy.

Busmire (297) and Jarkiewicz (290) had the high games in the USBC-certified tournament.

In other tournament action:

  • Team Baney placed first in the PAWS Triples No-Tap Tournament at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion over the weekend, rolling 2,562 with handicap to outlast 43 other teams for the $465 top prize. Members were Sammy Oddo, Matt Nolan and Paul Baney.

They were followed by Sticks 'N' Stones (Alishia Foss, Corey Winters and Bailey Hudson), $330, and El Leach (Derek Leach, Devon Leach, Josh Elliott), $275.

The top eight teams cashed in the event, which raised close to $2,000 for the PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion.

  • Bonnie Willey of Geneseo took top honors in the Class AA (75-and-over) division of the 35th Gladys Ford Memorial Women's Senior Singles at Livingston Lanes in Geneseo, rolling a tournament-best 676 series for the $150 first prize.

Carole Flicker of Lakeville was second at 661, winning $100. Other cashers were Dawn Bertrand, Wyoming, 656, $80; Bonnie Wass, Warsaw, 628, $50, and Joanne Reed, Livonia, 596, $30.

In Class A (70-74), Bernie Hotchkiss of Mount Morris placed first with 607, good for $85.

In Class B (65-59), Betsy Flint of Portageville was first with 596 ($85).

In Class C (60-64), Marian Gerhardy of Albion was first with 634 ($85), followed by Dawn Luckenbach of Caledonia, 626 ($57).

In Class D (55-59), Penny Brown led the way with 633, winning $85, and Lisa Granger of Silver Springs was second with 584 ($57).

In Class E (50-54), Diane Hurlburt placed first with 584 $60).

Thirty-four GRUSBC members competed. The GRUSBC contributed $200 to the tournament.

Photo: Tom Sardou, proprietor of Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen; Mickey Hyde, Mark Brown. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Bowling: Morris records 299 at Oak Orchard Bowl

By Mike Pettinella

Alex Morris of Batavia came within a pin of his first United States Bowling Congress-certified perfect game last week in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

The 31-year-old right-hander strung 11 strikes before coming up high on the final ball -- leaving a 3-pin -- for a 299 game. It is the second 299 for Morris, who will receive an award from the Genesee Region USBC. He finished with a 691 series.

High series for the week included Scott Gibson of Oakfield, 750 in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen; Curtis Foss, 749 in the Sneezy's League, and Jim Pursel, 741 in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 5-Man at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

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

Percy’s Z Tam takes Open pace at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Photo: Percy’s Z Tam with driver Jim Morrill Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Percy’s Z Tam fought off a pair of challenges in the mile en route to winning the $8,500 Open I Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 14).

When the gate released race, no one left and they headed around the first turn in post position order. Seeing the opportunity, Jim Morrill Jr. tipped Percy’s Z Tam from third and took the front by the quarter in :28 and from there, he controlled the remainder of the contest. After coasting to the half at his own pace, the competition then headed his way as Tullow N (Ray FIsher Jr.) and Stratosphere (Drew Monti) came in the outer flow in the third turn in pursuit of the leader. 

Heading toward three-quarters, Percy’s Z Tam turned back the outside threat but Long Train Runnin (Shawn McDonough) who was tripping out to this point, was poised to take his best shot. That came at the top of the stretch where McDonough pulled Long Train Runnin and started to drive hard. He made up ground all the way to the wire but he could not get by Percy’s Z Tam, who hung on by a neck to win in 1:54.1. 

It was the seventh victory of the year for Percy’s Z Tam ($6.50) and it pushed his earnings to $59,235 for owner Mike Torcello. Gerry Sarama trains the winner. 

In the $7,500 Open II pace, Thor De Vie (Dave McNeight III) grabbed the lead at the quarter, turned back a strong third quarter challenge from Barry Hanover (Kyle Cummings) and then out-paced the pocket sitting McSpidey (Jim Morrill Jr.) down the lane to capture his sixth win of the year in 1:55.2. 

Thor De Vie ($3.10) is owned by his trainer Jim Graham along with Lee Winters, Paul Tandlmayer and Giuseppe Micchia. 

Dave McNeight III had three other winners on the card giving him the driving Grand Slam. Besides Thor De Vie, he also won with Myell’s Rockstar (1:55.3, $10.20), Falcon’s Luke (1:59.3, $12.00) and Charmbo Orbit (1:55.4, $41.20). 

Another winning combination was driver Jim Morrill Jr., trainer Gerry Sarama and owner Mike Torcello who sent three winners to post Saturday night.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 18) with post time at 5 p.m. And since there was no Pick-5 winner on Saturday, there is a carry over of $1,157 and a guaranteed pool of $5,000 for the Pick-5 on Wednesday.

The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages for races one through five will be available on the USTA and Batavia Downs websites early next week.

 

Bryn Luckey becomes Le Roy's all-time leading scorer in soccer

By Howard B. Owens

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Bryn Luckey became Le Roy's all-time leading scorer in girls soccer last Saturday and she was honored last night at home before the Knights' quarterfinal sectional game against Waterloo in Class B2.

Luckey's road to 80:

  • 2016-13
  • 2017-22
  • 2018-21
  • 2019-13
  • 2020-11

Le Roy beat Waterloo 5-0 to advance to the semifinals.

Photo and information submitted by Tim McArdle.

Batavia defeats Midlakes 2-1 in second shootout

By Steve Ognibene

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Last evening at Van Detta Stadium the Batavia Girls Varsity Soccer Team defeated Midlakes in a thriller three-hour Section V class B1 quarter final game by a score of 2-1 in two shootouts.

Batavia jumped to an early 1-0 lead eight minutes before halftime on a tip in goal by Olivia Halpin. In the second half, 13 minutes later Midlakes score off a corner kick tip in by Batavia's goal keeper to even the score at 1.

Both teams were evenly matched and shots ending the regular play was 11-10 in Batavia's favor. Batavia's Ava Reinhart had a chance in the second overtime to win the game with a miss in the top right corner crossbar. 

In the third overtime Batavia's next best chance was on a pass from Olivia Halpin to Piper Harloff that just missed in front of Midlakes' goalkeeper.  After the fourth overtime, the game went unchanged to a fifth overtime shootout. Both teams scored three goals and missed two.

Then a final sixth overtime decided in a single round robin play. Isabella Walsh scored for Batavia and goal keeper Maddie Barone stopped Midlakes on her attempt to end the game by a 2-1 win to advance Batavia to the class B1 semifinals versus eight seed Greece Olympia this upcoming Monday evening.

Greece Olympia won by forfeit to undefeated number one seed Pal-Mac because of their school is shutdown due to COVID-19.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene.

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Protect Blue Chip, Il Mago, Davis Jr. win big at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Photo: Protect Blue Chip with driver Billy Davis Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The Wednesday evening (Nov. 11) racing menu at Batavia Downs featured a pair of $8,500 Open I handicap events that produced definitive winners on both the pace and the trot and also saw the meet's second winningest driver, Billy Davis Jr., win five races on the card. 

In the handicap pace for fillies and mares, Protect Blue Chip (Billy Davis Jr.) took the lead and was pushed through blistering early fractions of :27 and :55.4 by Tellawoman (Dave McNeight III). But the feverish tempo to the half only gave way to a fantastic finish by Protect Blue Chip, who kicked away by three lengths around the last turn and stretched that out to five at the wire where she won handily in 1:55.3.  

It was the fifth win of the year for Protect Blue chip ($4.10) who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Team rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock and is trained by Maria Rice. 

(Above, Il Mago with driver Jim Morrill Jr.)

Later in the handicap trot, Il Mago (Jim Morrill Jr.) bolted to a 3-1/2 length advantage at the quarter, extended that to five open at the half and stretched it out to six at the head of the stretch. From there he closed out the mile on top by three in 1:57. 

For Il Mago ($7.70) it was the seventh win of the year and 53rd lifetime and the winner’s share of the purse pushed his career earnings in excess of $891,000. Mike Torcello owns the Gerry Sarama trained son of Kadabra-Northern Style. 

Billy Davis Jr. had a monster night, winning five races on the card including a natural Hat Trick in races one through three. Besides the already mentioned Protect Blue Chip, Davis scored with Hey Sweetie (1:56.3, $14), Babylon’s Bridge (1:59.4, $4), Aunt Betty (1:58.3, $7.30) and Kredit Karma (2:00.2, $12.80).   

Three of Davis’s winners were trained by Maria Rice and she led all conditioners on Wednesday as a result. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 14) with post time at 5 p.m.

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