Stories from

By Brian Mazurek, for Batavia Downs

Taking advantage of a perfect trip from the rail, Looks R Deceiving used the passing lane down the stretch and captured the $27,000 finals of the Henry Tojj Claiming Pacing Series in 1:58.0 at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 17).

Looks R Deceiving, dismissed at 9-1, just missed by a neck off the rail last week in the third leg of the Tojj, losing to The Classic Z Tam in 1:57.3. But driver-trainer Bobby Verney made sure he took advantage of the rail in the finals as he caught the pace-setting Johnny Grippa (Jim Morrill Jr.) midway down the lane.

Johnny Grippa had set the fractions of :27.4, :57.4 and 1:27.4 but started to get leg-weary down the lane. Looks R Deceiving ($20.80) dropped down into the passing lane and stepped away for the one-length win over the fast track. Vasvixen N (Shawn Gray) rallied late inside for the place spot while Johnny Grippa held on for third.

Looks R Deceiving, a 5-year-old Modern Art gelding, is owned by Stephen Andzel of Williamsville. The victory pushed his 2012 earnings to $46,388 and has now nine wins in 35 starts this season.
 
In the $10,000 consolation of the Henry Tojj Claiming Pacing Series, driver Anthony Morgan guided Dawn Of Trey ($31.80) to the surprise one-length victory, beating Square John (Jim Morrill Jr.) in 1:58.
 
Dawn Of Trey is owned by Doug Neely of Barberton, Ohio, and trained by Larry Clabaugh.
 
In the $9,000 Open Pace, What The Sheik, after a solid third-place finish at Yonkers Raceway last week, returned to Batavia Downs and once again proved he is currently the best pacer on the grounds, scoring a convincing length victory over Cole Hard Cash in 1:54.1.
 
Settling in fifth place at the start, What The Sheik ($4.70) and driver Jim Morrill Jr. watched the four lead changes that took place in front of them before the first half mile was completed. Down the backstretch the final time, Morrill Jr. went three-wide and collared Cole Hard Cash midway down the stretch and easily pulled away for a three-quarters of a length victory.
 
What The Sheik, claimed for $12,000 back in August by owners JML Stables, Inc., of Heathrow, Fla., and Mike Torcello of Hamburg. has now earned $49,526 this season. What The Sheik is a 5-year-old Western Terror horse and is trained by Gerry Sarama.
 
The racing resumes at Batavia Downs with a 12-race card on Wednesday night beginning at 6:25 p.m. The night before Thanksgiving program is always popular and this year the evening should be extra special.
 
The night will be highlighted by a Archangel Collector's Mug giveaway. Coupons will be distributed beginning at 5 p.m. at the Player's Extra desk and redeemed after the seventh race. There is also a "Meet and Greet" session beginning at 5:30 p.m. with Archangel's owners Alan Hainsworth and Pete Arrigenna.

By Brian Mazuek, for Batavia Downs

Under The Stars and driver/trainer Jim McNeight were first under the wire in the featured $8,500 Open I-II Trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Nov. 16).

Under The Stars had finished second in three of his last four starts in the Open trot but finally broke through for the win.

Sitting second over going to the three-quarter pole, Under The Stars ($11.60) swept three-wide around the final turn and trotted around the pace-setting and favored Perfect Man (Dave McNeight III) and the cover of Big Baller (Dan Noble).

Down the lane Under The Stars trotted strongly to the wire, beating the pocket sitting Starbux Eden (John Cummings Jr.), by a length in 1:59.2, while Ziegfeld (Jim Morrill Jr.) rallied late to finish to third.

Owned by Mike Calimeri of Falconer, N.Y., it was the fourth win of the season for Under The Stars, a five-year-old Yankee Glide gelding. The win also moved his seasonal winnings to $44,952.

A 12-race program is slated for tonight at 6:25 p.m. with some top late-season races on tap.

The $27,000 Henry Tojj Pacing Series finale is the feature, scheduled for the seventh race. Johnny Grippa, with driver Jim Morrill Jr., is the morning line choice at 5-2 starting out of the four post.

The $10,000 consolation of the Henry Tojj will follow as the ninth race with D J Supreme and driver Shawn Gray the favorite from the four spot at 5-2.

The weekly $9,000 Open Pace will go as the sixth race with What The Sheik with Jim Morrill, Jr. in the sulky as the 6-5 morning line favorite despite starting from the eight hole.

To watch all the action via streaming video or for more information on the track, go to www.batavia-downs.com <http://www.batavia-downs.com

This information is from Genesee Community College:

Skilled workers are in great demand for good-paying advanced manufacturing jobs. Unlike traditional production or "unskilled labor" jobs, they require specialized skills, a higher level of training and offer a more flexible approach to creating products.

Anyone interested in a new career to meet this growing demand should attend an information session at Genesee Community College at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28. It will be held in T119 of the Conable Technology Building.

Find out about a new GCC scholarship for a one-credit class in engineering and also a new government grant that covers the costs of a two-year degree in engineering, biotechnology or computerized drafting.

"This is a terrific program for anyone interested in launching an in-demand and profitable career," said GCC Engineering instructor Ronald Schumacher. "An engineering background opens a lot of doors, and with the grants and scholarships offered by GCC, there's no better time to take advantage of this opportunity!"

The new GCC Scholarship covers the cost of the one-credit course, EGR 100 (Introduction to Engineering), which is be offering for the first time during the Spring 2013 semester.

Qualified applicants can receive a $200 scholarship that covers tuition for the eight-week course, which examines the pathway of engineered products from concept and design to production and marketing.

Engineering concepts in all disciplines will be reviewed -- including aerospace, architecture, biomedical, civil, chemical, computer, electrical, environmental, mechanical and nuclear -- and there will be presentations by working engineers and visits to production facilities.

The class will be held from 1:25 to 3:25 p.m. on Wednesdays in room D362 from March 17 through May 11 at the Batavia campus.

To apply for the EGR100 Scholarship go to http://www.genesee.edu/offices/finaid/scholarships/ and complete the online Foundation scholarship.

In addition, a one-page essay is required that reflects on why the applicant is interested in the field of engineering and in the Spring 2013 EGR 100 course. It should be sent to Ronald Schumacher, GCC's instructor of Engineering at rschumacher@genesee.edu. The scholarship application deadline is Feb. 19.

Also at the upcoming information session students can find out if they qualify to earn an associate degree for free through the Advanced Manufacturing Career Pathways Project. It aims to connect students interested in science with existing or emerging new manufacturing industries in the nine-county Finger Lakes region.

GCC is among select colleges now offering Pathways Project grants of up to $8,500 to cover tuition, books and other fees for eligible students to earn a two-year degree in engineering, biotechnology or computerized drafting.

The grants are a new state and federal initiative of the New York and U.S. Department of Labor and are available through Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board, GLOW Workforce Investment Board, and Rochester Works! It is open to those who meet the following criteria:

•     At least 18 years of age

•     High school diploma or G.E.D.

•     Unemployed

For further information or to sign up for the information session on Nov. 28, contact Kelly Stone at 343-0055, ext. 6215, or kmstone@genesee.edu.

Five Star Bank has appointed Yvonne D. Peck as assistant vice president and branch manager at its Batavia West location. In this role, she will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and administration of the Batavia West branch.

Peck previously was employed for 26 years by First Niagara Bank, serving in a variety of roles including teller, head teller, assistant branch manager and manager.

She is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Batavia, where she served as treasurer from 2004 to 2008. She currently serves on the board and has been active with the organization’s annual fundraising gala to support the Child Advocacy Center. She is also a board member for the Justice for Children GLOW Foundation.

Peck is a 2002 graduate of Leadership Genesee and completed the Leadership Edge Program in 2008. She resides in Batavia with her husband, Randy, and daughter, Taylor.

Gastroenterologist, Jeffrey Goldstein, MD, will discuss and answer questions related to celiac disease and gluten intolerance at a free community health talk sponsored by United Memorial Medical Center from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 27.

This event will be held in the Healthy Living Classroom in Cary Hall, 211 E. Main St., Batavia.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by the gluten protein, commonly found in wheat products. As many as two million Americans, or one in 133 people, are estimated to be affected by the illness.

Dr. Goldstein has been a member of the United Memorial medical staff for nearly two years. He is board certified in gastroenterology and opened a private practice in Batavia on Nov. 12, which is located at 229 Summit St., suite 8.

To reserve a seat for this community health talk, please call Healthy Living at 344-5331.