Sports

Jim Graham is a longtime western New York horseman that has been training and racing at Batavia Downs since the 1980s. He has over 1,500 conditioning wins and in excess of $7.25 million in purses throughout his career. For a majority of that time, he has been a proponent of young horses targeted towards racing the full stake spectrum from county fairs to the New York Sire Stakes. But little did he and his partners Ed Peron and Lee Winters know that a little filly that they purchased five years ago named Gia’s Surreal would turn out to be a generational type of racehorse they would have a chance to race her back at their home track in the biggest overnight race ever held there.

The homecoming for Gia’s Surreal will be Friday night (Aug. 26) at Batavia Downs when she will face seven rivals in the $75,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Invitational Pace.

Gia’s Surreal (So Surreal-Nancy Irene) entered the 2017 Morrisville College yearling sale as Hip number 2 and was purchased for $20,000 by Graham who broke and trained her until he was involved in an accident at Saratoga. She was then given to Brett Crawford who finished training her down leading up to her racing in the NYSS as a 2-year-old in 2018. That year she had a total of six starts in that series getting money in each and making the final where she finished fifth. But the filly never won a race in a total of nine starts in her freshman year.

Gia’s Surreal’s fortunes changed at three as she won four out of five NYSS Excel “A” races before finishing second in that final. She then transitioned into racing in the Open classes at Batavia Downs where she won three out of five to end the year that saw her in the winner’s circle 10 times.

After a delayed start due to Covid in 2020, Gia’s Surreal returned as an aged mare and eventually shipped north to Woodbine Mohawk Park where she ripped off three out of four wins while taking a lifetime mark of 1:51.4 in November. She continued to race in Canada until March of 2021 when the decision was made to add more tracks to her calendar in April.

“I thought she was a quality horse and I wanted to race her at Mohawk. But after she succeeded there we had high hopes that she could compete at the highest level. So we paid her into the Meadowlands events and Lexington and started making her schedule around those races,” said Graham.

Gia’s Surreal’s first start in New Jersey was a new lifetime mark of 1:50.3, a standard she would again lower to 1:49.3 later that year back at Woodbine. She was stellar at Yonkers and won the Open there in 1:52.1. And over the past two years she has made a plethora of stake starts on the Grand Circuit including the $160,000 Artiscape, $178,500 Dorothy Haughton, $191,050 Lady Liberty, $252,800 Roses Are Red, $189,600 Milton, $168,000 Dayton Distaff Derby, $175,000 TVG Mares final, $381,800 Blue Chip Matchmaker series, $100,000 Clara Barton and $100,000 Cleopatra Invitational.

The level of competition Gia’s Surreal has seen since 2020 is second to none. She has lined up against the likes of Lyons Sentinel, Racine Bell, Test Of Faith, Majorca N, Amazing Dream N, Rocknificent and Siesta Beach just to name a few. And at this top level to date she has amassed $713,380 in earnings from her 30 wins, 16 seconds and 16-thirds out of only 98 lifetime starts. That is just under a 30% win percentage and just over 60% in the money.

“She has been rock solid her whole career. We had a little issue with her front ankles late in the season last year and early this year she had a wall separation in her foot that caused her to miss two legs of the Matchmaker. But knock on wood, she’s been a very solid and sound mare,” explained Graham.

As for the Kane this week, Gia’s Surreal is only the second mare to compete in this race. Artistry In Rhythm started in the 2010 edition for driver Ken Holliday but did not fare very well, however that is nothing more than a footnote 12 years later. Gia’s Surreal is the third richest and second-winningest starter in this race and starts from post two for Hall of Fame driver Brian Sears. With her class and ability, there is no doubt that “Girl Power” could reign supreme for Gia’s Surreal on Friday against seven male rivals who would be at the top level of competition in any racing jurisdiction in North America.

“This is a great field of horses and it will be a true test of her savvy obviously, but we’re not afraid of anybody. When we were asked if we’d be interested in racing in here I knew that many Open male pacers would be entering the Canadian Pacing Derby eliminations so I was fairly certain that none of the top-top echelon Grand Circuit boys would be entered. So I said, sure we’ll come for it,” said Graham.

“She seems excellent coming in. She spent a few days at the farm, on the treadmill, in the field, and then she just jogged the rest of the week. I feel great about bringing her home and I’m glad I was asked to be here. It was an honor to be included with this caliber of horses.”

Moving forward Gia’s Surreal is paid into every major mares race until the end of the year. Next week she goes back to Canada for the Milton, then she will ship back to Dayton and then The Red Mile. Assuming that she’s still in top form, she will finish the year in the Breeders Crown at Mohawk and the TVG at the Meadowlands.  

Post time for the special Friday card that also features New York Sire Stakes 3-year-old trotters of both genders vying for $232,700 in total purses is 6 p.m.

Photo courtesy of New Image Media

The New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters of both genders will be contested at Batavia Downs during a special Friday night card (Aug. 26) with $232,700 in purses, as well as points up for grabs for horses that still need to solidify a spot in the finals at the Night of Champions at Tioga Downs on Saturday (Sept. 10). 

The marquee event will be the $119,800 division for colts and geldings where two 2022 Hambletonian elimination competitors will square off.

Slay (Chapter Seven-Swinging Royalty) is currently tied as the second fastest 3-year-old trotting colt in North America as a result of his 1:51, :26 flat last quarter victory in the $125,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial at the Meadowlands in July. Two weeks after that he was in the $100,000 Hambletonian elimination where he was beaten only 3-¾ lengths although he missed making the final. But he bounced right back in a NYSS event at Saratoga where he handily won gate to wire in 1:54.3 and 1-½ lengths ahead of Molotov Cocktail. That was also his fastest win time ever recorded over a half mile track.

Slay has been competing against the best sophomore trotters in the country all year including Joviality S, Jiggy Jog S and Temporal Hanover and as a result, has amassed $202,997 in earnings this year putting him seventh on the list among all North American 3-year-old male trotters. In the NYSS series he is currently tied for second in points (125) with Cool Papa Bell and is third in earnings ($84,825) and has his sights firmly on the finals in two weeks. 

Joe Bongiorno will be in town to drive Slay from post five for trainer Tony Alagna. 

Molotov Cocktail (Chapter Seven-Moonlight Cocktail) was the NYSS 2-year-old male trotting champion last year and returned strong for his second campaign. He took an early season lifetime mark of 1:52.2 at the Meadowlands in an overnight event which is one of only two wins for him this year. But the second came last week in the $200,000 Earl Beal consolation at Mohegan Sun Pocono, where he scored in 1:52.4. In between he was beaten only 4-½ lengths in his Hambletonian elimination and although he didn't make the final, followed that up with a very impressive third in the $50,000 Muscle Hill at the Meadowlands where he was race timed in 1:51.4 after being parked most of the mile.

Molotov Cocktail has also encountered many tough trotters on the trail this year having faced off against Hambletonian winner Cool Papa Bell and Rebuff and his 2022 efforts put him 10th in North America for earnings among all 3-year-old male trotters. However because of his Grand Circuit schedule he has only two NYSS starts where he finished second both times. That currently puts him in a three way tie for eighth in points and he needs a top finish here to ensure a trip to the lucrative final at Tioga.

Brain Sears will drive for Hall of Fame trainer Linda Toscano and they will leave from post four. 

The fillies will go in two fields and there does appear to be a standout in each group. 

The first $55,900 division features Cash Infusion (Chapter Seven-Swing Anna Cash) who has had a very full dance card this year. She competed in the $187,500 Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon Downs, $126,165 New York New York Mile at Yonkers Raceway, $123,000 Zweig Memorial at Vernon and $33,500 Continental Victory at the Meadowlands where she finished third and was race timed in 1:52.3. Plus she took money in all four of those events against very tough fillies like Joviality S and Jiggy Jog S while competing in much fuller fields. A big plus is her 1:57 lifetime mark that came on the half mile track at Saratoga earlier this spring. She did break at Monticello in her last start but recovered nicely to be beaten by only three lengths. 

Trained by George Ducharme, Cash Infusion will leave from post four with Tyler Buter at the lines. 

Looking to upset is In A Tiny Way (ConwayHall-Mc Tiny’s Hope) who was unraced at two but has had an outstanding year at three, starting with a win in her first stake engagement in a $15,000 Excel “A” race at Tioga Downs in a lifetime best 1:54.3. She has since gone on to do some of her best work on twice-arounds, winning in 1:57.3 at both Yonkers and Monticello Raceway, the latter in her last start which was a NYSS event.  

Jordan Stratton will drive from post two for trainer Mike Simons. 

Then in the $ 57,000-second leg, Valentina Blu (Chapter Seven-Corazon Blue Chip) comes in with the credentials to be a prohibitive betting favorite at post time. Last year she finished second in the $200,000 NYSS final to Joviality S, third to Venerable in the Mohawk Million and second in the $294,580 Kindergarten Classic making up the bulk of her $336,703 first-year earnings. This year she has only made five starts back thus far but two of those were NYSS wins. She also finished third in the $187,500 Empire Breeders Classic behind Joviality S and Bare My Soul, who she is currently tied with for top NYSS points in her division. After finishing sixth in the $123,000 Zweig she took a month off and won her first race back at Monticello in handy fashion. This is definitely a prep race for the finals for this filly. 

Joe Bongiorno will steer for trainer Tony Alagna from post two. 

Seven On The Rocks (Chapter Seven-Spicedbourbongirl) is a five-time winner this year but none have come in stake action despite being very competitive in his NYSS starts. She’s A Scorcher (Chapter Seven-Chilitodayhotamale) just got beat in 1:57.2 in a NYSS race at Buffalo in June but has since faced very formidable company over bigger tracks at both Oak Grove and The Red Mile in Kentucky Sire Stake action. Both will look to upset the probable favorite. 

John Stark Jr. trains and will drive Seven On The Rocks from post three while Jordan Stratton will drive Tony Alagna’s entry She’s A Scorcher from post five. 

The NYSS are carded as race one, three and eight. There are also four $15,000 Excel “A” series events carded as race two, four, five and six.

Friday’s card also features the 17th Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace that has a stellar field of eight top Open pacers slated to go postward in race nine for $75,000 which is the highest purse ever offered in this race. 

Post time for race one is 6 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Photo

Since shipping in from Saratoga Raceway, Shallow has taken her spot at the top of mare's colony at Batavia Downs after winning her second consecutive $15,000 Open I Handicap on Wednesday evening (Aug. 24). 

Dashintothebeach N (Luke Hanners) took an early lead heading to the quarter but Ray Fisher Jr. sent Shallow out early from third to grab the front at that station in :27.3. After crossing over she then slowed the pace to a tepid :30 second quarter before Tuapeka Jessie N (Jim Morrill Jr.) came first up in the breeze. 

Heading up the backside, Shallow maintained an easy lead with Dashintothebeach N in the pocket, and Tuapeka Jessie N and Shadow One (Kevin Cummings) on the outside chasing. Heading into the last turn, those challenges fell short as Shallow extended her lead to two lengths around the bend. When she turned for home, Shallow paced away from the field on her own volition to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:55. 

It was a career-best ninth win of the year for Shallow ($5.30) who now has $73,916 earned for owner Room4040 Stables. Andy Gardner trains the winner. 

Then in the $14,000 fillies and mares Open II Handicap, Canadian invader Saulsbrook Olympia (Dave McNieght III) grabbed the front and put on quite a show. With How About Murph (Kyle Cummings) and Sapphire Love Chip (Kevin Cummings) right behind trying to keep pace, Saulsbrook Olympia got to the half in :58.1 and then turned on the jets. She paced back-to-back quarters of :28.2 and :28.1 while opening up a 3-1/4 length advantage at the line where she won in 1:54.4. 

It was the second straight win at Batavia and third consecutive win going back to her impressive 1:50.3 outing at Woodbine Mohawk Park for Saulsbrook Olympia ($5.10) who is owned by William McNeil and Edward Gorc. Jennifer Giuliani trains the fast mare. 

Kevin Cummings was the leading driver of the night with three wins on the card and his third win came with the venerable 14-year-old Freaky Flyer. The Freak turned his 450th lifetime start into his 62nd career victory and pushed his total earnings to $370,549. Freaky Flyer ($12.00) is owned and trained by Rose Russo. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs with a special card on Friday night (Aug. 26) featuring New York Sire Stakes 3-year-old colt and filly trotters who will compete for $232,700 in purses and the 17th edition of Batavia Downs signature stake, the $75,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial pace. Post time for the first race is at 6:00 p.m.

Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery

Press release:

GCC Athletics was recently recognized for its success by finishing third in the Daktronics National Association of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) Cup standings-the highest in school history. The Daktronics Cup is an award given annually by the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) to the junior and community colleges in the United States with the most success in collegiate athletics. Points for the Daktronics Cup are based on the order of finish in various championships sponsored by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and state associations.

Three awards are given annually: one to the most successful school in the NJCAA scholarship division, one to the most successful school in the NJCAA non-scholarship division and one to the most successful school in a state association. Colleges in each division are allowed to use their top five finishes per gender at their highest level of competition to earn points for the Daktronics Cup. The champions of each competition score 20 points, second place scores 19, third place 18, etc. This is the fourth year that Daktronics has sponsored this award in conjunction with the NATYCAA. For the 2021-2022 season, Genesee Community College was awarded third place in the non-scholarship division, tallying 111 points. Genesee finished behind second-place College of DuPage who scored 131 points and Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester County won the NJCAA Non-Scholarship Division with 135.5 points.

GCC's athletic accomplishments for 2021-22 was highlighted by Men's Basketball taking second place at the NJCAA National Championship Tournament. Men's Soccer finished first in the conference, first in the region and ranked as high as second nationally. Women's soccer finished second in the conference, second in the region and ranked as high as fourth nationally. Women's Swimming and Diving finished as Region III & Northeast District champions, taking sixth overall at nationals, and second in the non-scholarship division. Men's Swimming and Diving finished as Region III and Northeast District runners-up and took eighth overall at nationals, second in the non-scholarship division. Men's lacrosse finished as Region III champions and ranked as high as fourth nationally. Women's Lacrosse finished second in the conference, second in the region and ranked as high as fourth in the nation. Women's Basketball featured 3 All-Region athletes and Women's Volleyball featured 2 All-Conference athletes.

This Friday (Aug. 26) Batavia Downs will present a special card of live racing that will feature both colt and filly 3-year-old divisions of New York Sire Stake trotters who will compete for $232,700 in purses. But the card will also feature the renewal of Batavia Downs signature stake, the Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace. 

Not held in 2020 or 2021 due to Covid, the Robert J. Kane Memorial returns this year with its 17th edition and is the richest ever offered with the new enhanced purse of $75,000.

With the draw now complete, the 2022 field has an all-star cast including the $549,000 Borgotta MGM and $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie winner Funatthebeach N, top Open pacing mare and only female in the field, the locally-owned Gia’s Surreal, recent 1:47.4 Pocono winner American Courage, and current 1:49.3 Plainridge Park track record holder Moonshine Kisses. The eight horse field has combined earnings of just under $5 million 

Here is the full field for the race.

1. Funatthebeach N Jordan Stratton Jeffrey Gillis

2. Gia’s Surreal Wally Hennesy Jim Graham

3. American Courage Matt Kakaley Travis Alexander

4. Semi Tough Wally Hennesy Ron Burke

5. American Dealer N Joe Bongiorno Linda Toscano

6. Splash Brother Tyler Buter Ray Schnittker

7. Moonshine Kisses Jay Randall Jackie Greene

8. Wild Western Jim Morrill Jr. Norm Parker

The Robert J. Kane Memorial is named for the former chairman of the board of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (which owns and operates Batavia Downs and Gaming), Robert J. Kane. Kane worked on the board for 26 years and in 1998 saw the value in purchasing the track that had been shuttered for three years after having its license revoked. The facility has gone through a complete turnaround since then and WROTB has developed the property into the premier entertainment destination in Genesee County.

The first edition of the Kane was held in 2002 and has compiled a long list of champion horses that have come to Batavia to compete over the years. They include three-time winner and all-time highest money earner in the history of the sport, the $7.6 million dollar man Foiled Again. Other winners include Dosudoro Hanover, Bolt The Duer, Atta Boy Dan, Kenneth J, One More Laugh and Aracache Hanover, who set the all-time track record of 1:51.1 winning the stake in 2011. 

The $75,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial will go as race nine on Friday’s card with an approximate post time of 8:40 p.m. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m. Free full past performance programs for all live race nights at Batavia Downs can be downloaded at bataviadownsgaming.com under the "live racing" tab.

Punters playing Batavia Downs on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 21) may have thought they were at Northfield Park by mistake after two of Ohio’s top horsemen, driver Billy Davis Jr. and trainer Cory Kreiser, shipped in for the day and ended up leaving with a lot of purse.

Davis was on fire, winning six of the 11 races he drove on the card including four horses that were trained by Kreiser, who watched a total of six stable members go postward. 

Davis struck early and often, getting a natural hat trick right out of the box in races one, two and three with Osprey Vision (2:00.2, $4.00), St. Lads Gidget (1:56.1, $2.90) and Charmbo Orbit (1:56.2, $4.80). Then after finishing third in race four, Davis registered another natural hat trick in races five, six and seven with I Saw You Blink (1:59.3, $4.10), That’s A Bad Boy (1:58.2, $2.10) and Cinderella Delight (1:56.4, $3.90). Northfield’s third leading driver posted a .575 UDR for his work on Sunday.

Kreiser’s four winning trainees were St. Lads Gidget, I Saw You Blink, That’s A Bad Boy and Cinderella Delight. Kreiser, who is currently the top conditioner in Cleveland, also posted some gaudy numbers as a result of his one day success in Genesee County. He headed west on the 90 with a lofty .666 UTR to take home. 

The two races neither Buckeye won were the featured trots.

In the $15,000 Open I Handicap, Keystone Apache (Jim Morrill Jr.) left from post seven, comfortably led the entire race and held off a late charge from Sanchez Rocks (Drew Monti) to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:57 flat. It was the third win in the last four starts and seventh win overall this year for Keystone Apache ($4.10) and it pushed his earnings for the year to $96,684 for Vogel & Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing. Maria Rice was the winning trainer. 

Then in the $14,000 Open II, Cash N Chrome (Drew Monti) sat the pocket trip behind Batting Stats (Keith Kash Jr.) until the last turn when he tipped three-deep around Pilgrim Caviar (Dave McNeight III) and trotted home under no urging whatsoever to win by 2-½ lengths in 1:58.4. Cash N Chrome ($5.80) got his fifth win of the year for owners Michael Collins and Angus Mac Donald, who also trains the trotter. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 24) at  6:00 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery

Three Open paces with purses totaling $42,500 were featured on the Saturday night card at Batavia Downs (Aug. 20) and speed was the order of the night.

The $15,000 Open I Handicap was won by Just Plain Loco who started off slow but finished with a rush.

Just Plain Loco (Dave McNeight III) got away fifth while Drunkonaplane (Jim Morrill Jr.) led the field with My Money Honey (Kyle Cummings) in the pocket. After getting to the half in :57.3, McSpidey (Shawn McDonough) pulled from third with Just Plain Loco in tow and both started to approach the leader. McSpidey got to within a head of Drunkonaplane at the top of the stretch, but Just Plain Loco was on overdrive three-wide and heading down the lane, paced by everyone in a swift :27.4 final quarter to win by 1-¼ lengths in 1:54. 

It was the fifth win of the year for Just Plain Loco ($6.00) and it pushed his earnings to $74,270 for his owners Paul Lang and Mark Toth. Jennifer Giuliani trains the winner. 

McNeight scored the driving hat trick on Saturday while Giuliani scored two training wins.  

In the $14,000 Open II Handicap, Stratosphere also finished strong to win and tied the fastest pacing mile of the meet so far in the process.

Leaving from post six and three respectively, Surfer Beach (Jim Morrill Jr.) took the front while Stratosphere (Drew Monti) was content with the garden spot journey. Morrill guided the group through quarters of :27.1, :55.4 and 1:24.3 before they headed into the far turn. Halfway around that bend Blue Spanx (Keith Kash Jr.) joined the fray from third along with Yankee On The Move (Kyle Cummings) who was already swingin three deep. But when they hit the top of the stretch it became a two horse race when Stratosphere ducked into the passing lane, matched strides with Surfer Beach to the line and then forged ahead by one-half length to win in 1:52.4, taking a new seasonal mark.

Stratosphere ($11.20) got his fourth win of the year for his driving owner Drew Monti, on the preparation of his trainer Darrin Monti. 

Drew Monti ended the night with two driving wins. 

Finally in the $13,500 Open III, Flying Finn N captured his first win of the meet at Batavia in a gate-to-wire jaunt. 

Flying Finn (Kyle Cummings) took a quick early lead and was never headed from there. After controlling the pace through fractions of :28.3, :58 and 1:26.2, Cummings hit the gas and Flying Finn N scorched the last quarter in :27.3 to win by 1-¼ lengths in a season’s best 1:54. 

Flying Finn N ($3.00) chalked up his fifth win of 2022 for owner William Emmons and trainer Jim Clouser Jr. 

Cummings finished with two driving wins during the card. 

Other horsemen scoring multiple wins Saturday were driver Jim Morrill Jr. with three and Kevin Cummings with two. Trainer Lee Dahn also doubled up. 

Photo courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery

Two $57,000 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies were on tap on Wednesday (Aug. 17) at Batavia Downs and 10 of the state's best bred female side-wheelers were on hand to compete for their share of it. 

In the first division, Patsville (Hunstville-Major Master Piece) had her own way going gate to wire in handy fashion. 

Patsville (Tyler Buter) took control of the race after Two Proud (Pat Lachance) made a break in turn one after trying to leave. With Wine N Dine Me (Jason Bartlett) and Kele Kele (Matt Kakaley) following intently, Patsville cut quarters of :28.3 and :57.4 before anyone made a forward attempt. 

Motoring up the backside, Kele Kele pulled from third and made her way to second on the outside as they were moving past three-quarters. But that challenge fell through when she made a break in the last turn. That left only Wine Me Dinner Me to catch the leader and she couldn't, as Patsville closed out the mile on top by a length in 1:53.3. 

Patsville ($9.10) boosted her earnings to $130,229 this year on the strength of her third victory for owners William C. De Long and William P. De Long. John Butenschoen trains Patsville, who was bred by Ross Bonafield. 

Later in the second split, Gotthegreenlight (American Ideal-Bet On Luck) held off a late rush to claim her fifth win in her last six starts.

Gotthegreenlight (Jason Bartlett) out-left Lee Loo (Tyler Buter), grabbed the lead and then hit the brakes to control the pace. Bartlett took the group to the quarter in :28.4 and the half in :58.1 and even then, no right lines were pulled. As they moved onto the second circuit, Gotthegreenlight had a two length lead and finally A Girl That Twirls (Jim Morrill Jr.) tipped out from third and started to advance, forcing a :28 flat third panel.

A Girl That Twirls continued to pace on and looped Lee Loo before the turn and then dropped back in second, right on Gotthegreenlight's back. As they were heading into the home stretch, A Girl That Twirls came back out and paced up alongside Gotthegreenlight, who appeared to be tiring. And although she was just about even with her, Gotthegreenlight had enough left to turn back A Girl That Twirls at the wire to win by one-quarter length in 1:53.2.

Gotthegreenlight ($2.20) has now amassed $208,131 this year for owners Patricia Stable and Kovach Stable. Nifty Norman trains the filly that was bred by Stephen P. Day.  

Bartlett ended the night with two wins on the card.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 20) at  6:00 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab. 

Photo by Wendy Lowery

The New York Sire Stakes returns to Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 17) with $114,000 in prize money to be split up in two five horse, $57,000 divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies and Gotthegreenlight comes in hot and looking for her share. 

Gotthegreenlight (American Ideal-Bet On Luck) was the 2-year-old champion of her NYSS division last year and has come back just as good at three. With five wins in only eight starts in 2022, Gotthegreenlight is currently the second highest earning 3-year-old pacing filly in North America behind only Treacherous Dragon. She is the top NYSS earner ($136,660) and points-leader (208) in her category and is as versatile filly as you could find.

She has won on all-size tracks both on the front and from behind, and ran off four straight wins in stakes action before getting beat by only 3-¼ lengths in a 1:49.3 mile after being parked to three-quarters in 1:21.3 in the Shady Daisy at the Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day. Besides already equalling her own career mark of 1:51 this year, Gotthegreenlight also broke the 9-year-old Yonkers track record for 3-year-old pacing fillies with her 1:51.3 effort on July 12. She may do the same on Wednesday to the 11-year-old Batavia standard of 1:52.4 set by New Album in 2011. 

Gotthegreenlight has her regular pilot Jason Bartlett in the bike for trainer Nifty Norman and has drawn post five.

Charged with the task of beating the more than certain post time favorite is A Girl That Twirls (American Ideal-Heels On The Beach) who had been racing very well until last week. After reeling off three stakes wins in May and June, A Girl That Twirls was off almost a month but then finished second in NYSS action at Tioga Downs timed in 1:51.3. However last week she made an uncharacteristic break in the first turn at Saratoga and finished distanced as a result. Assuming that was an aberration, post two and Jim Morrill Jr. driving gives A Girl That Twirls the best shot for the upset here for trainer Deborah Daguet.

Lee Loo (Huntsville-Taiya Hanover) is winless in NYSS action this year but has shown ability and speed in winning miles of 1:50.2 in a qualifier and 1:51.2 in an overnight at the Meadowlands. However her best work has not been over a half mile track. Driver Tyler Buter will try to change that for trainer Tony Alagna from post four. 

The other division is a very much wide open event with three fillies that can be considered very closely rated.

Kele Kele (So Surreal-Lightning D Dube) is the second highest money ($113,119) and points (161) earner behind Gotthegreenlight in NYSS action and has been on the board 11 of 11 starts this year. Her two NYSS wins both came over half mile tracks including her lifetime best outing of 1:53.1 at Monticello. Matt Kakaley is back in the bike for trainer John McDermott and will leave from post four. 

Patsville (Huntsville-Major Master Piece) took a lifetime mark of 1:50.2 at Hoosier Park prior to starting in the NYSS this year and hasn’t missed a check in the series since. That has her listed third for earnings ($84,169) in her division despite only having one win. She was recently race timed in 1:51.1 at Tioga Downs in a third place finish and must be considered a player starting from the pylons. Trainer John Butenschoen has Tyler Buter up once again. 

Two Proud (American Ideal-Double Creme) comes into this race with only six lifetime starts, three of which were this year. She has shown much improvement in her two NYSS outings with a 1:51.4 fourth place finish at Tioga followed by a 1:54 second place finish at Saratoga, both with :27 and change final quarters. Two Proud is moving in the right direction and with starting from the middle of this five horse field, she should be in play for the win. Pat Lachance will team for trainer Jeffrey Smith.  

The NYSS races are carded as four and seven. There are also two $15,000 Excel “A” series events that will go as race five and eight. Post time for race one on Wednesday is 6 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Fotowon

Two Open paces totalling $27,500 in purses highlighted the card at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Aug. 13) and both races provided exciting finishes.

In the $14,000 Open II Handicap, My Money Honey (Kyle Cummings) got away third behind Art Scene (Jim Morrill Jr.) and both sat the trip behind Next Big Thing (Keith Kash Jr.) while he set fractions of :28.2, :58 and 1:25.4 to three-quarters while amassing a comfortable two length lead heading into the final bend. In that turn, Flying Finn N (Shawn McDonough) and Stranger Things (Kevin Cummings) were moving on the outside and that left My Money Honey locked in fifth on the pegs at the top of the stretch. But as the passing lane opened up at the top of the stretch, Art Scene ducked into it and left just enough room for My Money Honey to get between him and the pylons and My Money Honey had the best foot to the line and won by a neck in 1:54.4.

The second win in a row and sixth of the year by My Money Honey ($19.60) pushed his 2022 earnings to $60,734 for the benefit of his owner Kyle Cummings. Tammy Cummings trains the winner.

Then in the $13,500 Open II Handicap, Surfer Beach (Jim Morrill Jr.) left from eighth and dropped in fourth while Daylight Rush (Dave McNeight III) went to the front and took the field to the half in :56.4. It was there that Surfer Beach was first out and rolling up towards the leader in turn three and he continued to cut into the lead heading to the three-quarter pole. By the time they came out of the far turn, Surfer Beach and Daylight Rush were next to each other and as both drivers rocked and knocked down the stretch, Surfer Beach got the advantage and held off a late charging Blue Spanx (Keith Kash Jr.) to win by a neck in 1:53.4. 

It was the third win of the year for Surfer Beach ($4.80) who is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable and Team Rice Racing. Maria Rice was the winning trainer. 

Several horsemen had big performances on Saturday. Driver Kevin Cummings had a natural hat trick in races two through four while Kyle Cummings also had a hat trick that included the longest paying horse of the night, Lanas Desire ($106.50). That horse was trained by Jim Clouser Jr. who had two conditioning wins and he was joined by Dave Russo and Darrin Monti.

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 14) there will be a $1,519 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 wager in race 11. Post time for the first race is 1:15 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo by: Wendy J. Lowery

A total of $104,000 was up for grabs for the 10 participating 2-year-old pacing fillies who were on hand for the New York Sire Stakes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (Aug. 10).

The $ 52,500-second division was scratched down to a field of five and Vivians Dream (American Ideal-Sports Chic) put on quite a show. 

Vivians Dream (Jordan Stratton) left sharply and grabbed the lead as soon as the gate closed. With Hunting Season (Mark Macdonald) and Rock My Socks (Jason Bartlett) following loosely in second and third, Stratton snugged up Vivians Dream and got away with a very pedestrian :59 half and that strategy ended up paying big dividends.

When the race made its way onto the second circuit, the pace picked up substantially and Vivians Dream was starting to separate from the field. She got to three-quarters in 1:26.4, rounded the last turn and opened up by 3-1/4 lengths at the top of the stretch. From there she blazed home in :27.1 to win easily in 1:54.

It was the fifth win in only six lifetime starts for Vivians Dream ($2.50) and owner Forrest Bartlett. Cory Mumford trains the winner. Vivians Dream was bred at Winbak Farm. 

Jordan Stratton ended the night with three driving wins. 

In the first $51,500 division, Dame (Dude's The Man-Seat By The Window) made every station a winning one en route to a new lifetime mark. 

Luke Hanners held position with Dame from post one and became the commander of fractions after the post time favorite Doing Marvelous (Jordan Stratton) made a break trying for the front. Dame set intervals of :28, :57.4 and 1:27 with no opposition from the single file field in tow. At the top of the lane Dame was under a line drive and cruised home to a 2-¼ length win in a career-best time of 1:55.2. 

Dame ($7.40) was bred and is owned by Stephen Richard and is trained by Kelly Hastings. 

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 13) there will be a $1,405 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 wager in race 13. Post time for the first race is 6:00 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photos courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery

After coming up a mere neck short of victory in the top class at Batavia Downs last week, Dewey Arnold bounced back and made sure that didn’t happen again with a decisive gate-to-wire romp in track record time in the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot on Sunday (Aug. 7). Driven by Kevin Cummings, Dewey Arnold was only one of five winners guided to victory by the red hot reinsman during the afternoon. 

Cummings bolted to the lead with Dewey Arnold and maintained a three-length advantage over Keystone Apache (Jim Morrill Jr.) to the quarter in :28.3 and the half in :57.4. Keystone Apache closed the gap slightly as they straightened out for the backside dash, but Dewey Arnold heard hoofprints and trotted on, opening up four lengths at three-quarters in 1:26.1. As they headed into the final bend the field had taken a knee and Dewey Arnold was on his own. He straightened out for the line and trotted home under wraps to a 4-½ length victory in 1:55.1. 

The time of 1:55.1 was a new Batavia Downs track record for aged trotting geldings, supplanting the 1:55.2 previously registered by Lutetium in 2015. Trained by David Dewhurst, this is the second trainee of his to set a track record at Batavia over this past year after the Open pacing mare Racine Bell scorched the Downs oval in 1:51.3 on August 4, 2021, setting a new standard for aged distaff side-wheelers. That clocking was also the second fastest pacing mile of all time at Batavia, behind only Aracache Hanover’s 1:51.1 set in 2011.

A 12-time winner of $257,745 in purses last year as a 3-year-old star of the New York Sire Stake circuit, Dewey Arnold ($4.10) has come back at four to be a top Open class trotter with now seven wins and $74,575 earned this year for owners Philip Hale and David Dewhurst. 

Along with the feature, the Cummings quintuple was completed by wins with Freaky Flyer (1:59, $3.00), Alexander Hanover (2:01.4, $4.00), Ideal Longshot (1:57.2, $29.40) and Best Brew (1:56.1, $2.20). 

The undercard $14,000 Open II Handicap trot went much like the headliner as Lunar Credit led at every station to score an upset in his first win of the Batavia meet. 

Jimmy McNeight Jr. went right to the front as All About Thechase (Mike Caprio) tucked and followed in the pocket. With a weak, early outside challenge from Art Of Duty (Mike Baumeister), Lunar Credit proceeded through workman-like fractions of :28.4, :58.1 and 1:27.1 and had a good three-length advantage heading into the last turn. McNeight then line-drove Lunar Credit down the lane and held off late charges by the tripped-out All About Thechase and a fast closing C R Blazin Beauty (Dave McNeight III) to win by 1-¾ lengths in a season’s best 1:57.1. 

It was the second win in only six starts this year for Lunar Credit ($29.20) who is owned by his driver and trained by Jim McNeight. 

Jimmy McNeight Jr. also had a big day in the bike, scoring the hat trick on Sunday. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 10) with post time at 6:00 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo courtesy of Wendy J Lowery

Just in case anyone was wondering, Jim Morrill Jr. made it perfectly clear why he is the leading driver at Batavia Downs after putting on a clinic in the sulky Saturday night (Aug. 6). Morrill won six of the 13 races on the card while finishing second and third twice each as well, to end the night with a stellar .648 universal driver rating. 

Morrill won both halves of the Daily Double with Amrcanbootscoota A (1:55.2, $2.30) and Finkle Is Einhorn (1:56.2, $13.00), then continued with Ohio Prince (1:55.1, $5.00) and finished his run with a natural hat trick in races 10, 11 and 12 with Drunkonaplane (1:54.2, $4.10), Harry Hoo N (1:56.2, $8.60) and Bali Beach (1:56.3, $3.50).

The win with Drunkonaplane came in the $14,000 Open II Handicap pace where Morrill sent his charge down the road in fractions of :26.3, :56.1 and 1:24.4. Off the turn he sprinted for home and closed out the deal by a length ahead of a wall of five horses to claim Drunkonaplane's seventh win of the year. Vogel & Wags Nags and Team Rice Raing own the Maria Rice-trained gelding. 

The one race Morrill didn’t win was the featured $15,000 Open I Handicap pace which went to Stop Action, who scored his second straight top class victory of the Batavia meet. 

Stop Action (Kevin Cummings) got away last as Art Scene (Jim Morrill Jr.) went for the lead and was pushed three deep around the first turn heading to the quarter in :26.3. As soon as he settled, Just Plain Loco (Dave McNeight III) pulled first-over from fourth and took the lead from Art Scene in front of the stands. But immediately after he crossed over, Ideal Artillery (Drew Monti) was advancing on the outside towards the leader and there was still a half to go. 

Just Plain Loco maintained a length advantage over Art Scene and Ideal Artillery heading up the backstretch and to three-quarters in 1:24.1. At that station, Stop Action was still fifth, but Cummings was revving him up. As the race proceeded into the last turn, Stop Action was tipped three-wide but still three lengths off the lead at the top of the stretch. Cummings kept him highly motivated heading down the lane and Stop Action flew by everyone to win by ½ length in 1:53.2. 

It was the 10th win of the year for Stop Action ($8.10) who has now earned $89,581 in 2022 for owner Super Mile. Angelo Nappo trains the winner.

Kevin Cummings ended the night with a hat trick in the bike and trainer Shawn McDonough also claimed three wins for his stable. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 7) with post time at 1:15 p.m. Sunday features $2 Sahlen hot dogs, 12-ounce draft beer and soft drinks, all available at the Homestretch Grill from 12 noon until 4 p.m. Also there is a carry-over of $857 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 wager in the last race on Sunday. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo courtesy of Wendy J Lowery