Sports

This autographed, Hall of Fame, Jim Kelly football of among the auction items you could win at Batavia Downs tomorrow in a charity auction to benefit Mercy Flight.

Post time is 1:15 p.m.

It's all part of Family Fun Day at Batavia Downs. The fun includes a bounce house, Pringles the Clown and Mr. Scribbles (from 2 to 4 p.m.).

And of course, the always popular annual Wiener Dog Race (post time 4:20 p.m.)!

The auction is a silent auction and will be held in the Paddock Room from noon until 5 p.m.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY ---  Witch Is Bettor, Eagle Way and Indulge Me, all driven by Jim Morrill Jr., won their respective divisions in New York Sire Stakes action, Friday Night (Aug. 28) at Batavia Downs Casino.

Almost $200,000 in New York Sire Stakes money was up for grabs for the 3-year-old pacing fillies.

The fastest and most impressive winner was Witch Is Bettor, who just missed the Downs track record, when she scored under wraps by four lengths in 1:54.2, just missing Isabella Blue Chip’s 1:54.1 record.

Coming to the half Witch Is Bettor and Morrill unleashed a powerful three-wide brush to assume command heading into the clubhouse turn and coast to victory--not bad considering the temperature was an unseasonably cool 65 degrees.
 
“She got a little grabby so I tipped her out and let her pace, I didn’t want to sit behind the 4-horse (Keep It Fair) so I went on with it,” Morrill said, “ If I had known we could have broke the record I would have let her pace a little more.”

The Bettor’s Delight-Witch Hanover filly is owned and trainer by Robert Horowitz and Jerrold Spitzberg of New Jersey. The win was Witch is Bettor’s sixth of the season and raised her 2009 earnings to over $142,000.

Eagle Way, going off an overwhelming favorite started off the trifecta of Sire Stakes races when she took the short around to win in 1:56.1 by 1-1/4 lengths. Getting away second Morrill sat the pocket behind Up Front Kellie Jo (Wally Hennessey), angled to the passing lane as the field turned for home to win going away.

“We were going so slow I thought Wally’s filly would carry me and she did” Morrill said.

The Dream Away-Western Dancer filly notched her fifth win of the season for owner Frank Dettore Horse Racing LLC of Ohio. Mark Ford is the conditioner. Her 2009 bankroll stands at over $158,000.

The photo camera was needed to decide the order of finish in final stakes event of the evening as three very talented fillies were charging to the wire. When the dust settled it was Indulge Me holding on to win over pocketsitting Perfect Launch (Greg Merton) and a wide All Spirit (Jim Marohn Jr.) in 1:55.2. Moving at the quarter, Indulge Me and Morrill put up all the numbers to tally her sixth win of the year for owners Robert and Lauren Tucker and trainer Ed Lohmeyer of New Jersey. The win boosted Indulge Me’s lifetime earnings to more than $500,000.

The 2009 stakes season at Batavia Downs Casino continues on Sunday afternoon. Three Late Closers, also for the 3-year-old pacing fillies, will be contested. Sunday post time is 1:15 p.m.

Racing resumes on Saturday night, with post time set for 7:05 p.m.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- The stakes season will continue on Friday night when 22 extremely talented 3-year-old New York-bred pacing fillies ship into Western New York to compete for almost $200,000 in New York Sire Stakes purses.

Back in 2007, the last time the sophomore pacing fillies were in town, Isabella Blue Chip established a new track record when she paced in 1:54.1.

“We have some awfully good fillies coming in,” Joe Zambito, Batavia Downs Racing Secretary said. “If the weather cooperates I wouldn’t be surprised if the track record was broken”

The first of three New York Sire Stakes divisions will kick-in race four.

The Dream Away--Western Dancer filly, Eagle Way, will start out as the 5-2 favorite. She’s currently the points leader in the race to the Sept. 26 Night of Champions, to be held at Vernon Downs. Eagle Way has Sire Stakes wins at Saratoga, Monticello and Yonkers. Jim Morrill, Jr., the leading driver on the New York Sire Stakes circuit this season, will pilot.

“I picked her over a few others in there,” Morrill said, “I have driven many throughout the years for Mark Ford, and I thought she was in a good spot. She’s really a good filly.”

Morrill will drive the 7-5 favorite in race eight, Witch Is Bettor. The Bettor’s Delight--Witch Hanover filly has season’s earnings of more than $109,000. She has two Sire Stakes wins at Yonkers and one at Tioga Downs this season. Bob Horowitz is the conditioner.

“I’m undefeated on her and have always had something left in the tank,” Morrill observed. “I’m expecting another big effort this evening."

Once again, Jim Morrill will drive the morning line favorite. This time he’ll sit behind the Bettor’s Delight--Summer Child, filly Indulge Me for trainer Ed Lohmeyer.

“She’s arguably the best New York-bred filly out there when she brings her best game,” Morrill said. “She was very good the night I won with her at Saratoga.”

Indulge Me has Sire Stake wins at Yonkers, Saratoga and Monticello.

Racing fans that wear their New York Sire Stakes baseball caps that were given out on July 31 will receive $2 in casino free play. The offer begins at 5:30 p.m. at Players Club and only patrons enrolled in the promotion on July 31 can take advantage of the offer.

This offer is also available on Sept. 2, when the 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters will be in town and on Sept. 4, when the glamour division, the 3-year-old pacing colts, make their way around America’s oldest lighted harness track

The first of 12 races on Friday night gets underway at 7:05.

Alexander played in a 4 team scrimmage today at Cal-Mum with Cal-Mum, Alexander, Bloomfield, and Wheatland-Chili all taking part.  The team played 4 20 minute scrimmages with Alexander giving up no goals over the full 80 minutes and picking up 2 goals of their own.  Both goals were scored by Freshman attacker Abby Shilvock on rebounds from shots by Senior attacker Anna Dominick.  The first Dominick beat the goalie and hit the post with Shilvock finishing it off from inside the 6.  The 2nd Dominick beat the goalie and hit a hard low shot on net that the keeper kicked and Shilvock cleaned up the rebound again.  Alexander headed a corner kick off the bar (Tessa Bigelow) and had a couple other great chances just miss.  Junior GK Hannah Wilson had a quiet day making only 3 saves over the full 80 minutes as the defense played strong.

Alexander's JV team also pitched a shutout over the 4 20 minute scrimmages and found the net once as Freshman midfielder Maria Dominick scored the teams lone goal.  The JV team looked solid despite only have 13 players at the game many of which were seeing their first action above the Jr. High level.

Alexander is back in action Saturday at the Newark 8 team scrimmage.  Newark, Pal-Mac, Gananda, Rush-Henrietta, Naples, Bloomfield, Marion, and Alexander will play in a mini-tournament style scrimmage Saturday from 11 to 5pm.

Some more player profiles for Alexander:

Junior Midfielder Tessa Bigelow - Tessa made her first varsity appearance as an 8th grader and played in 6 games her 8th grade year.  Her entire 9th grade year was lost to an ankle injury suffered in the first scrimmage of the year.  Last year as a 10th grader she was a full-time starter as a center midfielder and that is the position she is likely to man this year.  An incredibly strong player who is good with the ball, has good vision and is strong out of the air she will help direct much of the Alexander attack.  She had 2 goals and an assist last year on the varsity team.  Tessa has 64 club goals and 44 club assists in 325 club games.

Junior Midfielder Claire Hartl - Claire was a starter in a few different positions as a Sophomore last year spending time as a defender, an outside midfielder, and as a central midfielder as well.  An incredibly smart player who is very strong out of the air and is one of the tallest players on the team as well.  Despite growing up as a full-time defender she has developed into a central midfielder with great vision.  Claire has played 361 club games, primarily as a defender.

Junior Midfielder Amber Finan - Amber made her debut on the varsity team as an 8th grader and played in 6 games.  She spent the majority of her 9th grade year on varsity as well and her entire 10th grade year as well.  Amber is a very versitile player who can play all 11 positions on the field (including goalie).  She has started games at forward, midfield, defender, and has also seen some time in goal during her varsity career.  She figures to be primarily a midfielder this year but is sure to see time at other spots on the field as well.  Amber has 3 goals and 3 assists in her varsity career.  She has 69 goals and 36 assists in 326 club games as well.

Junior Forward/Midfielder Morgan Mattice - Morgan made her varsity debut late in her 9th grade season and is an excellent ball handler and fantastic out of the air around the front of the net.  As a sophomore she saw actional as a central midfield player in addition to her natural position as a forward.  Morgan had 2 goals and an assist last year as a 10th grader.  Morgan has 45 goals and 32 assists in 270 club games.

Junior Defender Savannah VanSon - Savannah started every game and played nearly every minute as a Sophmore last year in the center of Alexander's defense.  Savannah is a solid all around defender and plays the last man role in Alexander's defensive scheme.  She is an above average player out of the air and strong with both feet.  Her "traffic directing" from the back has come a long way over her career.  Savannah has 325 club games over her career, all as a defender.

Junior Midfielder Ashley Szymanski - Ashley made her debut on varsity midway through her 9th grade season as a JV callup to fill in for injuries.  She split her time as a sophomore between the JV and Varsity team.  Ashley is a very versitile midfielder who has the ability to play all 4 midfield positions in Alexander's scheme and is solid with both of her feet.  She picked up an assist her 9th grade year on the varsity team.  Ashley has 26 goals and 23 assists in 289 club games.

I will post the remaining 7 players soon...

 The Muckdogs (31-31) fall one spot in the Pinckney Division standings after a 5-2 loss to division-rival State College (32-30).

 The Spikes got on board early, scoring two in the 1^st and adding another run in the 3^rd.  Batavia scored their first in the bottom of the 3^rd when Travis Mitchell singled and came home later on another base hit by Matthew Adams.

 State College plated two more, one each in the 6^th and the 7^th to make things 5-1.  Batavia tried to rally in the bottom of the 7^th as they scored one run after Niko Vasquez singled, moved to third on a double by Ryan Jackson and then Vasquez came home on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Mitchell.  But that would be all of the scoring in game one of the doubleheader.

 Starter Justin Smith (0-1, 2.40) lasted four innings in the start with three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four.  Chris Corrigan finished up the last three innings with two runs, four hits, one walk and one strikeout.

 Jackson was the only one with multi hits, going 2-for-3 with a double.  Mitchell finished 1-for-1 with a RBI, two walks and one run scored.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Three divisions of New York Bred Late Closers for 2-year-old Colt and Gelding trotters were contested on Wednesday night (Aug-19) at Batavia Downs Casino. Each carried a purse of $12,700.

The fastest of the three winners came in the first division, carded as race number two. Aruba Vacation, a Dream Vacation-Dixie Hill gelding put up all the numbers en route to a 9-length victory in 2:03.4. Dan Daley is the trainer/driver for owners Howard stables, Ann-Mari Daley and Richard Lombarbo.
Locally owned Wrinkle This (Troy Boring) was farther back in second while Naughty Image (Dude Goodblood Jr.) wound up third.

Dream Vacation, standing at Winbak Farms, notched his second winner of the night, this time with Headingforaruckus for owner Dennis Robert Beaver. Kevin Cummings drove for trainer Kirk Desmond. Headingforaruckus got up to score by a ¼ length in a 5-horse blanket finish in 2:05.4. Vagra with Doug Ackley closed in to be second while Gunshy Kosmos (Ron Beback Jr.), who held a stretch lead, had to settle for third.

BJ’s Super Trooper (Dilibert Hanover-Yankee T) won the final Late Closer of the evening in 2:04.4 by a neck in tow to Jimmy Whittemore for owner/trainer Jeff Deslandes and William Bramer. Longshot Blues And BBQ’s (Dude Goodblood Jr.) led until the deep stretch and finished second. Signal Hill Ginger, with former Downs reinsman Mark Whitcroft rounded out the top three.

Pembroke Primo, moving up from the claiming ranks, closed from last to first to win the $9,000 Filly and Mare Open in 1:56.1. Kevin Cummings was in the sulky for owner/trainer John Cummings Sr. and Mark Jakubik.

Racing resumes Friday night, August 21. The first of 12 gets underway at 7:05 p.m. Batavia Downs Casino is currently racing every Monday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday Night. For more information go online at www.bataviadownscasino.com.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

After 3 and a half days of preseason the Alexander girl's soccer team is coming along quite nicely.  Despite the abnormally hot weather this week (and the shocking lack of rain) a lot of work has been put in by the girls.  Both the JV and Varsity teams are coming into form nicely thus far.

There are just 33 total players out for the teams this year which is way down from the numbers that we usually have, but it appears that both teams should be very strong this fall as practice has been spirited and a lot of strong play has been shown.

The varsity squad returns 10 starters from last year's team including 2 all-league selections in GK Hannah Wilson and Defender Abby Shilvock.  In all likelyhood Abby will be moving back to her more natural role as an attacker this fall but don't be surprised to see her on the defensive line in some big games this year as well.  Despite the face that the team will only have 3 seniors there is loads of varsity experience with 12 juniors, 1 sophomore, and 2 freshmen on the team.  Both of the freshmen were starters last year as 8th graders.  The sophomore was a starter for a majority of the year as a 9th grader as well.  All of the 12 juniors have seen action in a varsity game prior to this year and many of them have been on varsity for more than one season already.

Here are 5 player profiles (I will give a rundown of all the players on the team over the next few days).

Senior Defender Jamie Neth - Jamie returns to the team this year after and ACL tear during March of 2008 kept her off the field last fall.  Jamie has varsity experience during her 9th and 10th grade years as an injury call-up and has seen time in sectionals during both her 9th and 10th grade seasons.  Jamie trains with the team year round and has amassed 182 offseason games over the past 5 years.

Senior Forward Anna Dominick - Anna returns for her 4th full season as a varsity forward and will be one of the central points of the Alexander attack this season.  Anna saw action her 8th grade year on varsity as well and has been a mainstay on the Alexander varsity team since her 9th grade season.  Anna is the school record holder in assists (which she broke last year) with 25 and currently is 6th in goals with 27.  She is only 9 goals behind 2nd place entering this season.  She had 7 goals and 8 assists last season.  Anna trains year round with the team, has played 162 games the last 5 years, has scored 97 goals and has 39 assists.

Senior Defender/Midfielder Leah Johnson - Leah was a contributor to an exteremely young defense last year for Alexander and is versitile enough to play a few different positions.  She has an incredible work rate on the field and is a very strong and physical on the ball defender.

Junior GoalKeeper Hannah Wilson - Hannah was an all-league selection last season after posting 9 wins, 7 shutouts, and picking up 169 saves on the season.  She has seen action in her 8th and 9th grade years on varsity filling in for injuries and other situations on the varsity team.  Hannah trains with the team year round and holds every goalkeeping record for the Alexander Soccer Club.  She has played 439 club games over the last 5 years (which is the club record) and made over 3000 saves, has nearly 200 wins and 150 shutouts in that same time period.

Junior Midfielder Autumn Atkinson - Autumn has been a member of the varsity team since early in her 8th grade year.  She has the ability to play several different roles in the midfield and can fill in as a defender if need be.  She has 5 assists and 2 goals in her varsity career.  She also takes many of Alexanders set pieces and is very accurate with her corner kicks.  She trains year round with the team and has played in 423 total games the last 5 years (2nd only to Wilson) and has amassed 59 goals and 73 club assists in that time period (she is 2nd in career assists for the club).

To be continued...

 Batavia (29-29) took down Aberdeen (25-32) 10-4 to start off the last leg of the season moving in the right direction.

 They took no time getting on the board, as Devin Goodwin had a solo homerun in the second at-bat of the game.  Alan Ahmady then walked, Matthew Adams singled and Jon Edwards singed to load the bases, enabling Ahmady to come in to score when Niko Vasquez also was walked.

 The Muckdogs made it 4-0 by scoring two more runs in the 2^nd inning.  Bases were loaded yet again after a Beau Riportella single, Michael Swinson walk and Goodwin single.  Aberdeen walked another run in with Ahmady at the plate.  Adams followed with a groundout to score Swinson.

 But Batavia found trouble of their own when Aberdeen tied things up in the bottom of the 2^nd.  But that would be all the scoring for the Ironbirds, and the Muckdogs were just getting things started.  Batavia added six more runs on the night, scoring all the way into the 9^th, that included another solo homerun, this time by Ahmady.

 Starter Justin Edwards went two and two-thirds innings with four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four.  Tyler Lavigne (2-1, 3.86) picked up the win, going one and one-third innings with one strikeout.  Jesse Simpson went four strong innings with just one hit, two walks and four strikeouts.  LaCurtis Mayes closed out the game in the 9^th with a hit, a walk and a strikeout.

 Goodwin finished 2-for-4 with a homerun and two RBI.  Ahmady went 2-for-3 with a homerun, three walks, two RBI and four runs scored.  Jon Edwards also had two hits in five at-bats.

*Congratulations again to our three All-Stars whom participated in the game Tuesday.  Alan Ahmady started at third base, going 0-for-2 with two strikeouts.  Luis De La Cruz went 0-for-1 in his at-bat and Santo Maertz pitched one inning of relief with two walks, two groundouts and one strikeout.

Genesee Amateur Soccer Association held its annual Round Robin Tournament for the U8 Division, Wednesday July 30 at Lions Park. More than 300 players and spectators were treated to a surprise visit from Rochester Rhinos Midfielder, Leslie “Tiger” Fitzpatrick.  “Tiger” didn’t allow the rain to prevent him from enjoying the events.  He walked the fields talking to players and coaches, signing autographs and posing for pictures with the kids through the entire evening.  One young Rhinos fan was overheard saying “this is the best day of my entire life” commenting on having “Tiger” watch him play.  GASA was praised by Fitzpatrick and Rhinos representative Rich Randall for running such an enthusiastic youth program.  

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Three divisions of New York bred 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters, with purse money of $12,700 each, highlight the 12-race Wednesday evening (August 19) Batavia Downs Casino program. The action gets underway at 7:05 p.m.

Race two kicks off the Late Closing action. Aruba Vacation, by Dream Vacation, starts out at 5-2 on the morning line for trainer/driver Dan Daley. Aruba Vacation has earned over $7,300 after making four lifetime starts -- three against New York Sire Stakes competition and one in the Tompkins-Geers at Tioga. Also entered is the locally owned Wrinkle This, a Wrinkle In Time colt who is already a three-time winner, his last victory coming at the Caledonia fairgrounds.

Division two is carded as race five. Another Dan Daley juvenile, Sun Island, figures to get most of the attention. The CR Excalibur gelding comes off a second place finish in a $30,786 NYSS event at Saratoga. George Ducharme, trainer of Downs 2-year-old track record holder Donttellmywife, sends out the Malabar Man colt He’smyman. Local reinsman Jack Flanigen will be at the controls.

Race ten will be the final Late Closer of the evening. Incentive Hall, fresh off a second place finish last Sunday afternoon in a $25,149 New York State Fair event, looks poised for a big effort. The Conway Hall colt is trained by Jim Mulcahy. Kevin Cummings will be back in the sulky.

The Wednesday program also features the $9,000 Filly and Mares Open pace. Jezzabell Hotspur, already over $65,000 in seasonal earnings starts out as the favorite. Sherri Holliday conditions the talented side-wheeler for owner Betty Tauber. Chris Page will be in town to drive.

America’s oldest lighted harness track is currently racing every Monday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday. Simulcast action from North America’s top tracks is offered every day but Tuesday and the Gaming Floor, featuring over 600 slot machines is open 7 days a week, from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. 

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

It was the first day of soccer practice in Alexander...who ordered the heat?  Despite the heat 31 girls took to the field nad worked out this morning from 8-11am and will return tonight from 5-7pm in what looks to be similar hot circumstances.  Alexander's teams look to be small in numbers this year with only 18 players coming out for the varsity team and 14 for the JV team.  However there is a lot of experience coming back to both teams.

Alexander will have only 3 seniors this year (Anna Dominick, Jamie Neth, Leah Johnson) and then a whole bunch of underclassmen (12 Juniors, 1 sophomore, and 2 freshmen).

Despite the heat the girls looked good in our first workout of the season.  Both the U16 and U14 RDYSL teams won division titles this summer and the Women's team finished 2nd and was promoted up a division as well.

I will post some player bios as the week goes on and keep a running blog of practice throughout the August practices.