Sports

Highlights(from Alexander's perspective) from Alexander's 1-0 win over Byron-Bergen last Friday.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Again proving he’s the best pacer in Western New York, the popular sidewheeler Arm And A Leg was victorious in the $8,500 Open Handicap on Saturday night (Sept-5) at Batavia Downs Casino.

Arm And A Leg was sent right to the front by Downs dash leading driver Kevin Cummings and they never had an anxious moment in cruising to an easy 5-1/4 length score in 1:54 flat. Triple Bars (Jimmy Whisman) was second and Oh Gee Whiz (Jim McNeight) completed the top three.

This was Arm And A Leg’s third Open win during the 2009 Summer-Fall meet and his 10th win this season. He’s a 6-year-old son of Nobleland Sam. John Cummings Sr. trains and co-owns with Mark Jakubik. Going off as the favorite Arm And A Leg paid $4.30 to win.

America’s oldest lighted Harness track will present a special Labor Day matinee program; post time is 1:15 p.m. Food specials include an $8.00 Chicken Barbeque and $1.00 Hot Dogs served in the Paddock room and a $6.95 lunch buffet in the Clubhouse, all available from noon until 4 p.m.

In addition to live racing from August to December, Batavia Downs Casino offers simulcast wagering from some of North America’s top tracks. The gaming floor, featuring over 600 of the area’s hottest slot machines is open from 10:00 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily. For more information call 585-343-3750 or go on-line at www.bataviadownsasino.com.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Photo of Arm And A Leg with Kevin Cummings cruising  to victory in Batavia featured pace. Courtesy of Paul White.
 

As the season winds down, the Muckdogs (37-38) couldn’t provide a win in their last game at home, losing 7-3 to the Jammers (33-42).  Batavia was 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position on the night.

The offense was scattered with one run each in the 4th, 7th and 8th innings.  In the 4th, Kyle Conley doubled, moved to third on a wild pitch and came home a batter later on a sacrifice fly by Niko Vasquez.

Later in the 7th, Ivan Castro singled and Devin Goodwin hit a RBI double.  And in the 8th, Conley placed his eighth homerun of the season over the left field wall.

Michael Blazek (4-9, 4.50) picked up the loss as the starter going four and two-thirds innings with four runs (three earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out six.  Daniel Calhoun followed him with three runs, six hits and four strikeouts in four innings.  Santo Maertz pitched to two batters in the 9th with one strikeout.

Kyle Conley ended the night 2-for-3 with a double and a homerun.  It was his second consecutive night with a both a two-base hit and a round-tripper.  Ivan Castro also had two hit, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Batavia finishes up the season Sunday in Jamestown.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- As advertised the New York sired 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers were expected to put on quite a show, Friday night (Sept-4) at Batavia Downs Casino, and show they did not only breaking the track record once but in all three divisions.

Getting Personal’s 1:53.2 record for 3-year-old male pacers, set in 1993, was clearly on the line with 22 extremely talented sophomores in town to compete for more than $200,000 in New York Sire Stakes money.

It didn’t take long for a new record to be established as it came in the very first race. OK Braveheart, with Jim Morrill, Jr., went right to the front, opened an insurmountable lead at the half and cruised to a 10-1/2 length score in 1:52.2 to break the previous record by a full second. The final time was just two-fifths of a second off Kenneth J’s 1:52 all-age track record.

OK Braveheart (Bettor's Delight-Color Me Beachy) scored his ninth win of the season and raised his 2009 bankroll to more than $199,000 for owners David Scharf, Rick Phillps and Chuck Pompey. Former Batavia Downs trainer Chris Oakes is the conditioner. OK Braveheart is currently the points leader for the New York Bred Night of Champions finals to be held at Vernon Downs on September 26.

““He felt so good. I just let him roll,” reinsman Jim Morrill, Jr. said. “If I would have chased after him he might have paced in :51 (1:51) and a piece.”

Morrill also drove Kenneth J to the all-age record last year.

Tim Bojarski, President of the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association made a special presentation.

Division two, the slowest of the three divisions, wasn’t slow at all; in fact it was faster than Getting Personal's previous record.

Handsome Harry (Dream Away-Princess Jocelyn), again with Jim Morrill, Jr., brushed to command coming to the half and paced a :28 final stanza to score in 1:53. Mark Ford is the trainer. Ralph Del Priore, Jr. and Harry Doyle are the owners of Handsome Harry, who notched his 12th win of the season. His 2009 earnings now stand at more than $211,000.

The last, but certainly not least, NYSS division came in race nine. This race would be the closest of the three with the unbeaten gelding Go Go Solano (Bettor's Delight-Real Excitement) and Aaron Merriman and the very well regarded colt Hypnotic Blue Chip and Jim Morrill, Jr. hooking up around final turn and putting on quite a stretch battle.

Pacing his last quarter in a sizzling :27.2, Hypnotic Blue Chip was able to get up at the wire to prevail by a quarter-length in 1:52.3 over the previously unbeaten Mark Capone-trained gelding. Capone was the trainer of former track record holder Getting Personal.

Hypnotic Blue Chip’s (Art Major-A Traceofmagic) 11th win of 2009 raised his seasonal earnings to more than $360,000 for owners Rachel Frost, Stable 45, Robert Murphy and Mark Harder, who is also the trainer.

“I had to work harder than I thought I would,” Morrill said in the winner’s circle. “I’m a little out of breath, that other horse (Go Go Solano) gave us all we wanted.”

For the second time this season Morrill swept all three NYSS divisions.

Live racing at America’s oldest lighted harness track continues this holiday weekend on Saturday night; post time is 7:05 p.m. The Downs will present a special matinee racing program on Labor Day, post time is 1:15 p.m.

                      #   #   #   #
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Pictured, OK Braveheart. Photo courtesy Paul White.

Byron-Bergen visited Alexander Friday evening in the opening game for Alexander and the 2nd game of the season for Byron-Bergen.  BB entered the game with an 0-1 record after suffering a 3-0 loss to Kendall earlier in the week.

Alexander came out hot in the beginning moving the ball down the field and creating a couple scoring chances that didn't find the net.  After the first 10 minutes BB settled in and controlled the play for the remaining 30 minutes of the first half with some excellent short passing and ball control.  Despite their large advantage in possession time BB struggled to create any dangerous scoring chances.  The most dangerous scoring chance in the first half was created by Alexander when Senior Forward Anna Dominick sent a cross from the left side of the field to the back post where Junior Forward Morgan Mattice was making a great back post run but her sliding attempt at goal was wide and the score remained 0-0.  Tessa Bigelow hit a great shot from 25 yards out but Amanda Brown made a diving stop to keep Alexander off the board a few minutes later.  BB had a cross to the front of the net late in the first half but the volley was put over the bar.

The 2nd half was more of the same with BB controlling the play but not creating much as far as scoring chances.  Dominick had a great chance midway through the 2nd half but Brown again came up with a diving stop.  Alexander had another great chance with 10 minutes left in the 2nd half when Junior Autumn Atkinson sent a direct kick to the back post and Junior Claire Hartl headed the ball just wide.  BB's Stacey Maskell had a breakaway late in the 2nd half but was challenged by Junior GoalKeeper Hannah Wilson and was unable to get a shot off before Wilson pounded on the ball.

In OT Alexander settled down a bit and began to move the ball around.  Sophomore Julia Pettys had a great run at the start of the 2nd OT but was unable to get a shot off as the last defender took the ball off her foot.  BB looked to have the game's first goal with under 5 minutes left off a corner kick but Junior Amber Finan headed the ball off the goal line just as the ball was about to find the net.

With under 30 seconds in the left Alexander finally found the net as Freshman Abby Shilvock sent a cross from the right side of the field into the center of the 18 yard box where Dominick beat 2 defenders and the goalkeeper with a shot low in the right corner of the net.  Alexander killed off the last 30 seconds of the game and the final was 1-0 in favor of the home team.

With the win Alexander is now 1-0 on the season while Byron-Bergen falls to 0-2. 

Howard,

Thank you, so much, for the tickets to the Muckdog game.  Sue, the grandchildren and great grandchildren had a ball.  It was the perfect night to be at the game.

Your generosity is appreciated.

Bea

Batavia’s (36-35) offense couldn’t match State College’s (35-36) pitching as the Muckdogs only had four hits on the night and were retired in order in seven out of nine innings.  They also struggled on defense, coming up with three errors that resulted in three unearned runs.

 Joseph Kelly (2-3, 5.27) started the game, going four innings with four runs (two earned), four hits, two walks and four strikeouts.  Deryk Hooker also went four innings with three runs (two earned) on two hits, two walks and six strikeouts.  Jonny Bravo pitched the 9^th with one hit while striking out one.

 Devin Goodwin, Matthew Adams, Jon Edwards and Niko Vasquez were the only Muckdogs to pick up a hit.  Goodwin’s double was the only one for extra bases.

Alexander has finished up their scrimmages with a trip to Newark last Saturday and hosting Holley today.  On Saturday Alexander traveled out to Newark to scrimmage Marion, Bloomfield, Naples, Newark, Pal-Mac, Gananda, and Rush Henrietta in an 8 team scrimmage.  Alexander played Marion first and scored a goal (Amber Finan from Anna Dominick) and didn't allow any in the 2 25 minute halves.  Alexander faced Pal-Mac next and in the first half Pal-Mac scored while Alexander didn't.  Then the weather turned nasty and the rest of the scrimmage had to be cancelled.  Alexander looked strong in their 2nd scrimmage of the pre-season creating many scoring chances but failing to capitalize on all but one.

Today Alexander hosted Holley in a different type of scrimmage.  The teams played 6v6 for the first 75 minutes of the scrimmage in 3 25 minute periods and then played 9v9 for the final 25.  Both teams looked very good as these two teams should be two of the strongest teams in the GR.  There were 4 returning GR All-Stars on the field with both goalies (Junior Hannah Wilson from Alexander and Junior Julie Brooks from Holley), 9th grade forward Abby Shilvock from Alexander (who was an all-star defender last season) and Midfielder Emily Troup from Holley. 

Alexander opens up the season on Friday at home against Bergen while Holley opens up next Wednesday (the 9th).

Finishing out our Alexander player bios:

Junior defender Taylor Antinore - played on the JV team last year as the sweeper will move to an outside defender this season and is expected to be a big time contributor on Alexander's back line.  One of the fastest girls in the GR during indoor and outdoor track, her speed allows her to run almost any player down if she does get beat.  An indredibly tough player both mentally and physically.

Junior Midfielder/Forward Kylie Bank - played on the JV team last season as an outside midfielder and a forward.  Has a great cross and a powerful shot and is a very experienced player.  She has seen time on the varsity field during both her 9th and 10th grade season in sectionals and will contribute some key minutes off the bench this season.  Has 54 club goals and 26 club assists in 278 club games.

Junior Defender/Midfielder Summer Bliss - played on the JV team last year as a central defender.  Will play several positions off the bench this season including central and outside defense and all 4 midfield positions as well.  A very physically strong player who is excellent out of the air and has the ability to get forward.  A very strong player on set pieces and had 2 goals on corner kicks this summer on the 16 and under team.  Has 214 club games primarily as a defender.

Junior Forward/Midfielder Megan Schmieder - played on the JV team last year primarily as a forward.  A great ball handling forward who has excellent touch on her shots from distance.  A very strong passer and above average out of the air.  Is expected to contribute some important minutes up front and in the midfield this year.  Has 76 club goals and 34 club assists in 377 club games.

Sophomore Midfielder/Forward Julia Pettys - spent most of the season on the varsity team last season where she had 2 goals and 4 assists primarily as a forward.  Will play both outside mid and forward this year.  Is an incredibly fast player who can handle the ball, distribute the ball, and is one of the better finishers in and around the net on the team.  Despite her size she is very good out of the air and is a very physical defender.  She has 102 goals and 21 assists in 221 club games.

Freshman Midfielder/Forward (and defender) Abby Shilvock - was a starter on Alexander's defense last year as an 8th grader and earned all-league honors in that position.  Is a great ball handler, strong finisher, and has great touch on her short passes.  Strong with both of her feet and has begun to step up her physical play and play out of the air.  Has the ability to play several different postions including an outside defender, outside midfield, and forward.  Has the potential to be an all-league player at all 3 positions as well.  She has 66 goals and 9 assists in 92 club games (she played for Holley Soccer Club this summer).

Freshman Defender Gabby Kwiatek - started every game but one last season as an 8th grade defender and is a physical presence on the field as well as being one of Alexander's best 1v1 defenders.  Strong out of the air, can play the ball with both feet, has great touch on her short passes, and is a very hard worker during games.  Played on 3 teams this summer (U14 girls, U14 boys, and Women's team) and has improved a great deal.  Has the potential to be a great shut down defender in the very near future.  Has played 139 club games primarily as a defender.

Thats the varsity team, I will profile a few JVs that will see some varsity action before our first game.

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.