When Drew Monti won the first race at Batavia Downs on Friday (October 4) night with Heavens Fury (2:00.4, $5.10), he reached a major milestone by registering the 2,500th win of his career and he did it on his 30th birthday. The win was only the first of four that Monti had during the evening, putting an exclamation mark on his accomplishment. He also won with Hudsonandbernard (1:57.2, $9.90), I’m Already Gone (1:56.4, $6.10) and Seasiderocket (1:58.4, $7.20).
Monti started driving at New York fairs in 2012 at the age of 17 and won his very first start behind Super Grover at Waterloo, NY. A year later, he got his first pari-mutuel win at Batavia Downs in the fall of 2013 behind Right Back At You who was a heavy favorite at 1-9, and Monti has remained a favorite of trainers and bettors alike on several circuits ever since.
Although racing full time at Batavia Downs where he won the driving title in 2016 and 2018, Monti has also been a regular reinsman at Plainridge Park since 2019 where he has finished in the top five among that driver colony on four different occasions. Over the years, Monti has also competed at The Meadowlands, Yonkers, The Meadows, Woodbine-Mohawk Park, Northfield, The Red Mile and Buffalo.
For his career overall, Monti now has 2,503 wins, 2,393 seconds and 2,253 thirds from a total of 16,957 starts and just under $19.5 million in purses as a result.
Monti’s big night Friday also vaulted him into first place for wins at the current meet at Batavia, as he now sits on top of the list with 55 wins ahead of Kevin Cummings (53), Joe Chindano Jr. (53) and Dave McNeight III (52).
The one race Monti did not win was the $9,500 featured trot where Makes Me Charlie (Jim McNeight Jr.) grabbed the lead past the half and won boldly by 2-¾ lengths in 1:58.1. Makes Me Charlie ($2.90) is owned by Amy Butler and Margaret Butler, who also trains the winner.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (October 5) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $1,473 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
