Wind gusts of up to 60 mph that blew down the homestretch made it very challenging for everyone lining up to race at Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 27) afternoon. However many big performances were still turned in, including the one by the 4-year-old pacing mare Maggie Bell, who won her third straight race in the $11,000 upper-lever condition race for distaff sidewheelers to stay perfect in 2024.
Brett Beckwith got away fourth with Maggie Bell, while Oaxacan Dream N (Dave McNeight III) marched on the lead in pedestrian fractions of :29.1 and 1:00.2. As the race rolled by five-eighths, Maggie Bell pulled first-over with the wind to her back and drew alongside Oaxacan Dream N in the last turn. As the girls thundered down the lane, Maggie Bell wore down Oaxacan Dream N while also holding off a fast closing Mcvera (Shawn McDonough) to win by a head in 1:59.1.
It was the fifth win in the last seven starts for Maggie Ball ($9.80) who is owned by Delpozo Scwartz Paoleti and trained by Jaymes Mcassey.
Maggie Bell was one of four winners for Beckwith on Monday. He also won the $15,000 final of the Batavia Downs Trackmaster 74 Series with Samosa Hanover after tipping three-wide at three-quarters and edging out Shoreview (Drew Monti) by a head at the line in 1:58.3. Samosa Hanover ($7.00) is owned by Lucky Label Stable and trained by Taylor Fritz.
Beckwith’s other two winners were Kathy’s Moment (2:01.2, $7.00) and Blue Glamber (1:56.4, $4.60).
In the $12,500 Trackmaster 72.5 Series trot final, Caviar’s Yankee (Mike Baumeister) grabbed the lead before the half and turned away the pocket-sitting Poets N Pirates (Drew Monti) in the lane to win by 1-½ lengths in 2:00.4. Caviar’s Yankee ($6.00) is owned by Jennifer Signor and trained by Jake Baumeister.
Finally, the $12,000 Trackmaster 70 Series final was won by Koup Kruiser (Jim McNeight Jr.) who led from gate to wire and stopped the clock in 2:00.1. Koup Kruiser ($2.80) is owned by Two Gals Stable and trained by Jim McNeight.
Other horsemen turning in stellar performances on Monday include driver Joe Chindano Jr. and trainer David Russo, who both posted hat tricks during the program.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 30) at 3:00 p.m. with a carryover of $1,318 in 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.
