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Football Roundup: Batavia beats Geneva 36-0

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Blue Devils improved to 4-2 on the season with a 36-0 win on Friday over Geneva at Geneva.

Stats: 

  • Bronx Buchholz: 8-18 passing for 136 yards, two TDs, one interception, and he rushed for 76 yards on 12 carries
  • Mekhi Fortes: five carries, 111 yards, one TD
  • Zailen Griffin: five carries, 64 yards, one TD
  • Lakoda Mruczek: six carries, 36 yards, one TD
  • Brock Warren: two carries, 11 yards, one TD
  • Maggio Buchholz: 6.5 tackles, one tackle for a loss, one TD reception
  • Joey Marranco: six tackles
  • Justin Smith: three tackles, two interceptions
  • Tym Murrell: three tackles, one interception
  • Greyson Fix: one interception
  • Will Stevens: one interception

In other football action:

OAE Aggies shut out Geneseo

By Howard B. Owens
oae vs. geneseo football

The Oakfield-Alabama/Elba Aggies picked up a win on Saturday, beating Geneseo 31-0.

OAE stats:

  • QB/DL Austin Pangrazio - 21 Carries, 134 Yards, four TDs.,  three Tackles, one TFL,  one Fumble Recovery
  • RB Avery Watterson - 15 Carries, 128 Yards, one TD
  • LB Ashton Bezon - 10 Tackles, five TFLs, one Sack, one Forced Fumble
  • DL Angelo Penna - nine Tackles, three TFLs

"It's good to get one back in the W column," said Head Coach Tyler Winter. "These boys have been working hard.  I'm happy they got to enjoy the fruits of their labor.  However, we know we need to remain grounded and stay the course.  Class D is wide open this year.  We keep saying, 'The team in our class who has the best October is going to really like their November.'  We'll continue to grow and prepare for the next challenge."

Photos by Debra Reilly.

oae vs. geneseo football
oae vs. geneseo football
oae vs. geneseo football
oae vs. geneseo football
oae vs. geneseo football
oae vs. geneseo football
oae vs. geneseo football

Dragons beat Section VI team 68-22 to improve to 6-0

By Howard B. Owens
pembroke dragons football

The Pembroke Dragons continue to dominate other eight-man squads, picking up their sixth win against no defeats on Friday by beating Allegany-Limestone (Section VI), 68-22.

Coach Brandon Ricci credits the blocking of Ben Steinberg, Jayden Mast, Jayden Bridge, Madden Perry, JJ Gabbey, Octavius Martin and Hayden Williams with helping the Dragons amass 400 yards of total offense on just 27 plays.

Tyson Totten ran for 275 yards and six touchdowns on 19 carries. He also added a punt return for a touchdown.

Fullback Caleb Felski had 100 yards rushing and one touchdown on seven carries. 

Quarterback Vijay Dhanda Finished the scoring on his lone carry for a 50-yard touchdown.

Defensively the Dragons were led by linebacker Vijay Dhanda with 11 tackles. Caleb Felski added nine tackles of his own, while Tyson had six and an interception that he took 80 yards back for a score.   

The Dragons have yet to punt this season. 

Next up: Wellsville in Wellsville.

Submitted photos and information.

pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football

Blue Devils beat Eastridge 2-0 in Boys Soccer

By Howard B. Owens

The Blue Devils improved to 8-4 with a 2-0 win over Eastridge on Friday in Boys Soccer.

Head Coach Graham Halpin said it was a physical and spirited performance by Batavia.

Quintin Cummings, assisted by Owen Halpin, scored a first-half goal. The second goal for Batavia came in the second half when Ryan Bohn scored with a header off a corner kick by Finn Halpin.

Halpin highlighted The defensive line of Trevor Tryon, Will Fulton, Brandon Currier, Trey Tryon, and Darius Wahl, as well as goalkeeper Ben Stone for the shutout of Eastridge.

York Pavilion beats Notre Dame 25-18

By Howard B. Owens
notre dame york/pavilion football

York/Pavilion beat Notre Dame 25-18 in a Thursday Night football game.

For Notre Dame, Jay Antinore was 7-13 passing for 112 yards and TD  with one interception. He also ran for 70 yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdown on the ground.

Ryan Fitzpatrick had five receptions for 96 yards and a TD.

For York/Pavilion, Parker Bonefede was 13-20 passing for 189 yards and two touchdowns. He ran seven times for 21 yards and two TDs.

Tyler Brady and Jacob Pangrazio each had a TD reception.

Photos by Pete Welker

notre dame york/pavilion football
notre dame york/pavilion football
notre dame york/pavilion football
notre dame york/pavilion football

Batavia soccer teams hosting Soccer Saturday at Van Detta

By Staff Writer
girls soccer batavia

Batavia High School's soccer program is hosting Super Soccer Saturday at Van Detta Stadium from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Game schedule:

  • 11 a.m. - JV Boys game
  • 1 p.m. - JV Girls game
  • 3 p.m. – Alumni game
  • 4:15 p.m.– Varsity Boys Senior Recognition
  • 5 p.m.– Varsity Boys game
  • 6:30 p.m. – Varsity Girls Senior Recognition
  • 7 p.m. – Varsity Girls game

The boys varsity team plays Wilson/Early College.  The girls varsity team plays Le Roy.

Concessions will be open throughout the day.  

 Submitted photos.

batavia boys soccer

Jim McNeight Jr. wins five Wednesday at Batavia

By Tim Bojarski
center-attraction-1.jpg
Photo of Center Attraction courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

Jim McNeight Jr. had a big night at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 4), winning five races on the card including both halves of the early double and a natural hat trick in races eight, nine and 10. The 9th race was the featured $15,000 Open I Handicap pace for fillies and mares where McNeight guided Center Attraction to her second top level win in her last three starts. 

Doyoukissfirstdate (Dave McNeight III) rolled to the point off the gate and reached the half unfettered in a modest :58.1 before a four-horse outer flow approached in turn three. Come Out And Play (Jim Morrill Jr.) led that charge, followed by Center Attraction while the pocket-sitting So Amazing (Kyle Cummings) continued to track inside. The top four paced in close proximity to three-quarters and into the last turn where McNeight tipped Center Attraction three-high. At the top of the stretch, Come Out And Play took the lead from Doyoukissfirstdate, but Center Attraction came hard and ran him down at the line by a neck to win in 1:55.1. 

Center Attraction ($3.00) got her sixth win of the year for trainer Robert Anderson, who co-owns the winner with Pamela Schiber. 

McNeight's other winners included Veneno (1:58, $4.60), Catch The Wave (1:58, $6.40), Bet I’m Lucky (1:55.1, $8.90) and Cheekie Baby (1:57.3, $17.20). 

McNeight is having a career year in all categories in 2023, boasting highs for wins (95), UDR (.241) and earnings ($744,125). And with his wins on Wednesday, he moved ahead of Ray Fisher Jr. into fifth place for dash wins for the current Batavia meet and now sits behind only Kevin Cummings, Jim Morrill Jr., Dave McNeight III and Kyle Cummings in that spot. 

The top trainer on Wednesday was Joe Skowyra who had three horses from his stable entered and had all three of them win. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 6) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $2,846 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.

Batavia volleyball teams raise $2,200 for Genesee Cancer Assistance

By Howard B. Owens
volleyball pink game batavia high school

For the  second year on Tuesday, Batavia High School's volleyball teams, varsity and JV, hosted a "pink game" to raise money in support of Genesee Cancer Assistance.

The teams raised $2,200.

Statement provided by Sarah Gahagan:

Nick Grasso graciously accepted this donation on behalf of Genesee Cancer Assistance.  He reminded all spectators of how important it is to help out locally whenever possible. He reminded the spectators how expensive travel, treatment and other things people battling this disease need on a daily basis and how grateful our local recipients are to have events like this in their honor.

We would like to thank all of our local sponsors for donating baskets to support our team. 

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

batavia hs pink game volleyball
batavia hs pink game volleyball
batavia hs pink game volleyball
batavia hs pink game volleyball
batavia hs pink game volleyball
batavia hs pink game volleyball


 

Notre Dame beats OA in Girls Volleyball

By Howard B. Owens
notre dame volleyball oct 2023

Notre Dame took a five-set match from Oakfield-Alabama in Girls Volleyball on Monday.

The games were scored:

  • 25-18
  • 19-25
  • 25-17
  • 25-27
  • 15-9

Stats for the Irish: Kaitlin Kratz had nine kills, Loretta Sorochty, 26 assists, one kill, one block, three aces and five digs, CJ Campagna, six kills, four blocks, two aces and two digs.

For the Hornets, Jessica Sosnowski. three aces, 10 digs and 17 assists, Cara Williams, two aces, five kills, 19 digs and one assist, Sayde Bush, four aces, fiver kills and 15 digs.

Submitted info. Photos by Pete Welker.

notre dame volleyball oct 2023
notre dame volleyball oct 2023
notre dame volleyball oct 2023
notre dame volleyball oct 2023
notre dame volleyball oct 2023
notre dame volleyball oct 2023

Rocknroll Runa A scorches Batavia oval in 1:51.2

By Tim Bojarski
rocknroll-runa-a-1.jpg
Photo of Rocknroll Runa A courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

After winning three consecutive Open paces at Yonkers over the summer, Rocknroll Runa A had been in a bit of a slump in his last four outings, only hitting the board once. That all changed at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 30) when he took advantage of a perfect trip and posted a convincing victory in the featured $15,000 Open Handicap pace. 

Larry Stalbaum led the field with Rocknroll Runa A at the quarter after completing a snappy :27.4 sprint. But Mirragon A (Jim Morrill Jr.) was not content to follow this leader and blasted to the front in turn two. Mirragon A and Rocknroll Runa A were a tight one-two to the half in :56 and by three-quarters, started to separate from the field. Halfway through the last turn, Stalbaum tipped Rocknroll Runa A from the pocket and started gaining on Mirragon A. When they straightened for home, Rocknroll Runa A exploded to the line and won handily by 2-½ lengths in 1:51.2. 

It was the eighth win of the year for Rocknroll Runa A ($7.60) and it pushed his 2023 earnings to $173,014 for Stalbaum, who owns and trains the winner.

The $13,000 Open II Handicap pace produced an equally impressive mile after Big Chic Magnet (Kyle Cummings) made a substantial class jump from his previous two outings at Northfield pay off. Cummings sat in second with Big Chic Magnet behind Ideal Artillery (James McNeight Jr.) from the start of the race until mid-stretch, where Big Chic Magnet moved into the two path and out-sprinted Ideal Artillery to the line by a length in 1:52.4. 

It was the third straight win and fourth of the year for Big Chic Magnet ($8.70) who is owned by EVM Racing and Rodney Long. David Russo was the winning trainer. 

Kyle Cummings ended the day with three driving wins, as did Drew Monti. Trainers Chris Petrelli, Tammy Cummings, Larry Stalbaum and David Russo all scored two wins apiece. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 4) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $2,143 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.

big-chic-magnet-1.jpg
Photo of Big Chic Magnet A courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

Larson spins 704; Gurnsey rolls 290--774

By Mike Pettinella

Michele Larson is back in the Meyer's RV Monday NFL League at Mancuso Bowling Center after a three-year absence and so are her high scores.

The Batavia resident rolled a 704 series last week, posting games of 202-234-268.

The right-hander averaged 197 in 2019-20 and 201 in 2018-19 and has three honor scores to her credit -- 300 in 2014, 290 in 2002 and 299 in 2001.

In other league action, Albion's Brandon Gurnsey finished with a 290 game last week for a 774 series in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

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

Genesee places third at Section V meet on Saturday

By Howard B. Owens
genesee varsity gymnastics
Genesee Gymnastics Team: Mady Underhill,  Kendall Chase,  Lei St.Clair,  Roan Finn,  Nee'Kay Smith,  Emma Cooper,  Sam Copani.
Submitted photo.

Submitted results from the Section V gymnastic meet on Saturday.

Team Results: 1. Gates-Brighton: 123.25, 2. Rush Henrietta: 122.95, 3. Genesee: 103.75, 4. Corning: 97.3, 5. HFL: 58.3, 6. Charles Finney: 24.1, 7. Victor: 15.3

All Around: 1. Evelyn Buttaccio (Rush Henrietta): 32.7, 4. Roan Finn (Genesee): 29.9

Vault: 1. Eva Cilino (Gates-Brighton): 8.1, 10. Roan Finn (Genesee): 7.3, 13. Nee'Kay Smith (Genesee): 7.2, 15. Mady Underhill (Genesee): 7.1, 18. Sam Copani (Genesee) 7.0, 21. Kendall Chase (Genesee): 6.75

Uneven Bars: 1. Annie Porter (Victor): 8.6, 8. Roan Finn (Genesee): 6.95, 13. Kendall Chase (Genesee): 5.8, 20. Samantha Copani (Genesee): 4.9 21. Emma Cooper (Genesee): 4.7, 22. Mady Underhill (Genesee): 4.5

Balance Beam: 1. Evelyn Buttaccio (Rush Henrietta): 8.75, 10. Roan Finn (Genesee): 7.15, 12. Mady Underhill (Genesee): 7.05, 18. Kendall Chase (Genesee): 6.4, 19. Emma Cooper & Lei St. Clair (Genesee): 5.9, 24. Nee'Kay Smith (Genesee): 5.15

Floor Exercise: 1. Evelyn Buttaccio (Rush Henrietta): 9.0, 3. Roan Finn (Genesee): 8.3, 17. Lei St. Clair (Genesee): 6.6, 21. Samantha Copani (Genesee): 6.1, 24. Emma Cooper (Genesee): 5.1

The next meet is Friday, Oct. 6, at MCA Gymnastics at 6:30 p.m. 

Batavia beats Attica in boys soccer 2-1

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia boys soccer team picked up its sixth win of the season, against four losses, by beating Attica 2-1 on Saturday.

"It was a contentious game in which Attica gained a 1-0 lead early on before Troy Hawley eventually equalized on an assist by Owen Halpin," said Head Coach Graham Halpin. 

Hunter Mileham's game-winning goal in the second half was assisted by Owen Halpin..

The defensive line and goalkeeper Ben Stone were instrumental in containing Attica's offense, along with notable contributions from Noah Whitcombe, Finn Halpin, Patrick Suozzi, and Eli Michalak, said Coach Halpin.

Dragons keep perfect season record with 69-28 win

By Howard B. Owens
pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football

 The Pembroke Dragons improved to 5-0 on the season with a 69-28 win over C.G. Finney/Northstar on Saturday.

The Dragons amassed more than 500 yards in total offense while running only 30 plays.

Tyson Totten ran for 249 yards and five touchdowns on eight carries. The effort put him over 100 total career touchdowns. 

Fullback Caleb Felski had 136 yards rushing and three touchdowns on four carries. 

Quarterback Vijay Dhanda added 72 rushing yards and a touchdown while also throwing for 42 yards and the Dragons' first passing TD of the season to receiver Sean Pustulka.

Defensively, the Dragons were led by Caleb Felski, with 11 tackles and two interceptions. Totten added nine tackles of his own, while Octavius Martin, Jayden Mast, Madden Perry, Landon Suro and Jayden Bridge all added at least five each.  

The Dragons have yet to punt this season. 

The Dragons Host 4-1 Allegany-Limestone out of Section VI next Friday for Homecoming.

Also, on Saturday, Notre Dame beat Geneseo/Mount Morris 35-0. Jay Antinore was 8-14 passing for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Antinore ran four times for 74 yards and a TD. Roy Ricks had 59 yards on seven carries. Ryan Fitzpatrick scored a TD while hauling in five passes for 85 yards. Jacob Sherwood and Antinore also each had TD receptions.

Submitted photos and information. 

pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football

Le Roy dominates second half to beat Attica/Alexander 44-27

By Howard B. Owens
le roy knights attica-alexander blue devils football
Le Roy’s T.J. Thomas leads the Knights onto the field. 
Photo by Ed Henry

In a battle of undefeated teams, the Le Roy Oatkan Knights came out on top Friday night, beating Attica/Alexander 44-27.

Le Roy scored on six of its last seven possessions after trailing 20-6 in the second quarter.

Tony Piazza scored on a 90-yard run. Connor Hegeman had a 23-yard reception for a TD. Piazza scored again on a 49-yard run. 

The defense created five turnovers and allowed only 74 yards of total offense in the second half.

Le Roy stats:

  • Tony Piazza had 15 carries for 172 yards and four touchdowns.
  • Drew Strollo had 10 carries for 51 yards and a TD
  • Tommy Condidorio 1-13 passing for 23 yards and a TD

For Attica/Alexander, Landyn Thomas had 17 carries for 88 yards

Touchdowns for A/A: Trent Woods, Braden Allein, Tyler Marino, Landy Thomas.

For Le Roy, Jack Currin was 5-5 on PATs and also had a 22-yard field goal.

Le Roy is now 5-0 on the season, and Attica/Alexander is 4-1.

Also on Friday

  • Swarming defense helps Batavia hold down Vertus for 37-16 win
  • Canisteo-Greenwood beat Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 19-12.  Avery Watterson gain 172 yards on 24 carries and scored twice. Gavin Armbrewster was 7-12 passing for 83 yards. Jack Cianfrini had three receptions for 52 yards. Ashton Bezon had 14 tackles.
  • York/Pavilion beat Avon 28-18
le roy knights attica-alexander blue devils football
LeRoy’s Merritt Holly (15) soars at the Attica-Alexander PAT kick. 
Photo by Ed Henry.

 

le roy knights attica-alexander blue devils football
Le Roy’s Drew Strollo (34) and DJ O’Geen (54) look to stop Landyn Thomas (3).  Photo by Ed Henry.

 

le roy knights attica-alexander blue devils football
The Le Roy defense converges on Attica-Aleander’s Tyler Marino (22).  Photo by Ed Henry.
le roy knights attica-alexander blue devils football
Xavien Walker is a valuable return specialist for the Knights.  
Photo by Ed Henry.
le roy knights attica-alexander blue devils football
The Le Roy defense looks to stop Attica-Alexander star Clayton Bezon (44).  
Photo by Ed Henry.
le roy knights attica-alexander blue devils football
Le Roy’s Connor Hegeman hauls in a Le Roy TD pass against three defenders. 
Photo by Ed Henry.
le roy knights attica-alexander blue devils football
Le Roy’s Tony Piazza (22) follows his O-line for a late-game TD. 
Photo by Ed Henry.
le roy knights attica-alexander blue devils football
The Le Roy defense swarms Attica-Alexander RB Levi Pearl (33). 
Photo by Ed Henry.

Swarming defense helps Batavia hold down Vertus for 37-16 win

By Howard B. Owens
Batavia Blue Devils vs. Vertus Charter Football 2023
After a long reception early in the third quarter, Vertus Charter was threatening to score near the goal line when Batavia's Mekhi Fortes grabbed QB Malachi Jones, knocking the ball loose, allowing Maggio Buchholz to recover the fumble.
Photo by Howard Owens.

With an aggressive Blue Devils defense harassing Vertus QB Malachi Jones all night, forcing turnovers and lost yardage, Batavia was able to securing a convincing win over Vertus Charter 37-16.

Bronx Bucholz was 11-16 passing for 139 yards and two touchdowns. 

Cole Grazioplene had two receptions for 18 yards, and 22 yards on one carry, with two TDs and a defensive interception.

Zailen Griffin had 10 carries for 89 yards.

Carter Mullen had four receptions for 44 yards and touchdown.

Mekhi Fortes, who was also a dominant presence on defense, had three receptions for 43 yards and ran for a touchdown.

The Blue Devils are now 2-2 on the season.

This is exclusive game coverage by The Batavian. You can help support The Batavian's coverage of the community by joining Early Access Pass.

To view more photos for purchase prints, click here.

Batavia Blue Devils vs. Vertus Charter Football 2023
Flushed from the pocket, QB Malachi Jones spikes the ball to prevent a sack by Mekhi Fortes in the first quarter.
Photo by Howard Owens
Batavia Blue Devils vs. Vertus Charter Football 2023
Zailen Griffin sprints away from a defender in the second quarter.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Batavia Blue Devils vs. Vertus Charter Football 2023
Mekhi Fortes with the ball over the endzone in the second quarter.
Photo by Howard Owens
Batavia Blue Devils vs. Vertus Charter Football 2023
Zailen Griffin 
Photo by Howard Owens
Batavia Blue Devils vs. Vertus Charter Football 2023
Mekhi Fortes with the stiff arm in the second-quarter.
Photo by Howard Owens 
Batavia Blue Devils vs. Vertus Charter Football 2023
A defensive stop in the second quarter left Vertus inside the one-yard line.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Batavia Blue Devils vs. Vertus Charter Football 2023
Leading to a touchdown on a fumble recovery.
Photo Howard Owens.
Batavia Blue Devils vs. Vertus Charter Football 2023
DaShaun Wright and teammates celebrate his fumble recovery in the endzone for a touchdown.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Batavia Blue Devils vs. Vertus Charter Football 2023
Maggio Buchholz with the reception on the PAT.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Batavia Blue Devils vs. Vertus Charter Football 2023
Cole Grazioplene with a third-quarter interception.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Batavia Blue Devils vs. Vertus Charter Football 2023
Offensive lineman Karvel Martino with a block.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Makadushin N Cheez wires field in Batavia Open

By Tim Bojarski
makadushin-n-cheez-1.jpg
Photo of Makadushin N Cheez courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

Makadushin N Cheez led from gate to wire to win his sixth of the year in the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 29).

Kevin Cummings sent Makadushin N Cheez to the front off the gate and took the full field of nine to the quarter in an easy :29 flat, and put the opposition to sleep with an even slower :59 half. An outer flow formed through turn three but couldn’t get near the leader by three-quarters. That left Makadushin N Cheez still in command with only the pocket-sitting Lunar Credit (Jim McNeight Jr.) and Mugshots Bro (Jim Morrill Jr.) tracking closely. At the top of the lane, Lunar Credit pulled and Mugshots Bro came up the pylons in chase, and they were joined by Joxter (Dan Daley) brushing late from far back. But none would catch Makadushin N Cheez, who won by one-half length in 1:57.3.

Makadushin N Cheez ($2.90) scored his 25th lifetime win for owners Joe D’Agostino, Molly D’Agostino, Philip Kadushin, and David Dewhurst, who also trains the winner.

In the $13,000 Open II trot, Good Boy (Ray Fisher Jr.) made a three-wide move from fourth around the breaking Grey Clouds (Dan Daley) in the last turn, caught the front-running Lepanto (Kevin Cummings) and held off the late closing Da Boogie Man (Kyle Cummings) and Gracious Triumph (Jim Morrill Jr.) to win by one-half length in 1:57.2, which was a new lifetime mark.

Mary Warriner owns Good Boy ($3.60) who is trained by Ryan Swift.

Driver Jim Morrill Jr. won three more races on Friday while John Cummings Jr., Kevin Cummings, Kyle Cummings and Ray Fisher Jr. each doubled up.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 30) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $1,013 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.

good-boy-1.jpg
Photo of Good Boy courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

Batavia boys soccer beats Geneva 3-1

By Howard B. Owens

The Blue Devils boys soccer team improved to 5-4 on the season with a 3-1 win over Geneva on Thursday. 

Head coach  Graham Halpin described the game as "a technical and creative performance by Batavia."

Owen Halpin scored two goals, assisted by Finn Halpin and Andrew Childs. Gavynn, assisted by Owen Halpin, also scored.

The defensive line of Trevor Tryon, Will Fulton, Brandon Currier, and Trey Tryon helped to limit Geneva to one goal, Coach Halpin said.

Batavia Downs boasting record handle at current meet

By Tim Bojarski
bd-night-ii.jpg
Photo of night racing courtesy of Batavia Downs.

As the 2023 live racing season at Batavia Downs reached the halfway mark, the numbers show that bettors came out in full force, and that may lead to the track's most profitable year since Western Regional Off-Track Betting reopened the property for racing in 2002. 

Through the first 26 days of the scheduled 53-day summer/fall meet, the total handle is up 57 percent over the first 26 days of the 2022 season, with an average nightly handle of $240,438, compared to $153,229 at this point last year. And Don Hoover, Director of Live Racing, is expecting this surge to continue.

“Based on what we are seeing to this point of the meet, I believe these numbers will hold true throughout the remainder of the 2023 live season and easily eclipse the previous high-water mark (since WROTB purchased Batavia Downs) of $146,987 per night set in 2021,” said Hoover. 

“We had a very strong winter meet at the start of this year that set two daily handle records (for the WROTB era) on consecutive Wednesdays, and the momentum for our product has clearly carried over to our current meet. As a result, I expect this substantial increase in wagering dollars to continue throughout the second half of the season.”

Hoover is also quick to point out that it has been a total team effort that has resulted in this increase.

“More horses are stabled on the grounds at Batavia Downs right now than in previous years, directly resulting in more races and fuller fields that lead to more wagering opportunities. And with the Tioga Downs meet recently coming to a close, we will most likely see more ship-ins from those horsemen as well, providing an even larger pool of horses to fill all our classes. And our simulcast department has been hard at work sending our races to more outlets throughout North America, which in turn, exposes more customers to our product,” said Hoover. 

Batavia Downs is currently racing at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday right through October 28. Then the schedule changes to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday from November 1 through December 9, which is the final night of live racing for the meet.

Xenia’s Chip upsets, Morrill wins five at Batavia

By Tim Bojarski
xenias-chip-1.jpg
Photo of Xenia’s Chip courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

Overlooked by the bettors at 13-1 despite a convincing win two weeks ago in a lower class, Xenia’s Chip made a statement Wednesday night (Sept. 27) by winning the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs. 

Xenia’s Chip (Kevin Cummings) got away third as Imprincessgemma A (John Cummings Jr.) skated to the quarter in :28.3. Just past that station, Won Surreal Deal (Dave McNeight III) pulled first-over and made her way to second passing the half, with two mares following in the outer flow that left Xenia’s Chip locked in at the pylons.

As the race motored up the backside, Imprincessgemma A continued to own the lead but was under duress from Won Surreal Deal and the pocket-sitting Come Out And Play (Jim Morrill Jr.), who pushed her to a :27.4 third panel. The top three positions remained the same around the last turn but then Xenia’s Chip finally had room to advance and made her way to the five-path at the top of the stretch. With four horses still ahead of her, Xenia’s Chip dug deep and paced furiously to the line where she won by one-half length in 1:54.3, taking a new lifetime mark. 

It was the eighth win of the year for Xenia’s Chip ($33.00) who is owned by Keith Pinkowski and trained by Jim Graham. 

In the secondary featured $11,500 mid-level conditioned pace for female participants, the well-traveled and win-laden Doyoukissfirstdate (Dave McNeight III) took no prisoners after striking the front, controlling the pace by a gapped margin and pacing home easily by 1-½ lengths in 1:55.4 to score her 12th win of the year. Doyoukissfirstdate ($7.20) is owned by Gary Ballowe and trained by David Russo. 

The Downs second leading driver, Jim Morrill Jr., won five races on the card Wednesday. He scored with Tobin’s Diva (1:56.2, $3.60), A Black Diamond (1:55.2, $2.60), Silverhill Blaze (1:56.4, $2.80), American Jazz (1:55.3, $2.50) and Flo (1:56, $3.90). Morrill’s last three wins were a natural hat trick in races 11, 12 and 13. Morrill now has 96 wins at the current meet and trails Kevin Cummmings (105) by nine wins. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 29) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $697 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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.

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