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UNY-USHWA announce horses of the meet at Batavia Downs

By Tim Bojarski

The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association has announced the horses who will be honored for their performances at Batavia Downs during the 2022 racing season. These horses who have competed at the Downs all season, will each be honored with a trophy in the winner’s circle between races during “The Day of Distinction” that will be held on Saturday, December 17.  Post time for the first race is 3 p.m.

Pacer of the Meet: Stranger Things (Western Terror-Southwind Prairie) 18-8-3-2 - $71,300 - 1:53.2 at Batavia Downs
Owner: Virginia Schoeffel, Kathy Schoeffel and James Reuther
Trainer: Angelo Nappo

Stranger Things was the winningest horse of the meet and top money earner-- regardless of age, gait or gender --- amassing a total of eight victories and $71,300 in purses while facing Open class company each week. Overall in 2022, Stranger Things has had 31 starts with 12 wins, six seconds and two thirds with $103,945 in earnings and put an exclamation mark on his career year with a new lifetime mark of 1:53.2 at Batavia on October 22.  

Trotter of the Meet: C R Blazin Beauty (Crazed-Melrose Abbey) 18-6-2-2 - $51,880 - 1:57 at Batavia Downs
Owner: Marissa Russo
Trainer: David Russo

CR Blazin Beauty is another horse boasting a career year and who was also the winningest trotter of the meet, scoring six wins including four in the Open and this was no small task being a mare racing against the boys every week. The 8-year-old also scored a landmark win at Batavia on December 3 when she achieved the 50th victory of her career. For the year, CR Blazin Beauty has 37 starts with 10 wins, nine seconds and four thirds with $105,384 in the bank.

Mare of the Meet: Saulsbrook Olympia (Big Jim-Racino Star) 16-5-2-2 - $50,530 - 1:53.4 at Batavia Downs
Owner: William McNeil and Edward Gorc
Trainer: Jennifer Giuliani

For the first year competing as an aged mare, Saulsbrook Olympia excelled in her new classification. The 4-year-old took an impressive 1:50.3 lifetime mark at Woodbine Mohawk Park prior to arriving at Batavia. Since the start of the Batavia meet, Saulsbrook Olympia garnered five wins and the highest earnings by a pacing mare ($50,530) while facing the best resident and best ship-in talent from all over the state. Her overall numbers for 2022 show 33 starts, 10 wins, two seconds and six thirds with $85,226 in purses earned.

Please note that post time for Saturday was moved to 3 p.m. to avoid conflict with the flexed Buffalo Bills versus Miami Dolphins game later that night. The clubhouse will open their doors at 2:30 p.m. and will offer a prime rib and shrimp buffet that will be served from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Railbar will be open from 2:30 p.m. until the end of the last race, which will be approximately 7 p.m., however it will not remain open for the Bills game.

There may be an early Christmas present for some lucky player at Batavia Saturday. A Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta carryover that has been growing for weeks has reached $10,733.58 and with the meet ending, a mandatory payout will happen Saturday. So Batavia Downs has guaranteed the pool at $15,000 through the United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program for that pentafecta wager in race 13. 
Free program pages are available on the USTA website for that race under the “Handicapping” tab and free full past performance race programs for the entire card can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab. If you can’t attend the races live, you can still watch all the action on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel.

Ace on the river ends World Poker Champion run for Batavia native

By Howard B. Owens

Ron "Tigar" Penepent has been to Las Vegas a few times. But on this trip, he had the time of his life even if he didn't win a portion of the more than $15 million pot up for grabs in the 2022 World Poker Tour World Championship.

The Batavia native won his $10,400 buy-in to the tournament and was hoping to make a deep run, but on the third day of play, he got beat by an ace on the river.  Worse, he was the one holding a pair of aces.

"This has been an unbelievable experience," Penepent said. "It was a bucket list item of mine to play in a big-stakes tournament."

A love of poker runs in the Penepent family.  His father used to host regular games after hours at Ron's Shell at Main and Oak in Batavia.

"It was my father, my uncles, a bunch of good friends," Penepent said.

Penepent joined the World Poker Tour site 20 years ago, and he told his father that he would play in a big tournament one day.

Unfortunately, the elder Penepent passed away a couple of years ago so he didn't get to see "Tigar" (his nickname since he was a child) sit down at a WPT hold-em table.

About a dozen family members did travel to Vegas to support Penepent during the tournament.  They've all been having a good time, he said, and now he's out of the tournament, he and his wife Patty are going to have some fun, too.

They think they will go to the shop where the TV series "Counting Cars" is filmed, as well as the bar, Vamp'd, owned by the show's star, as well as the Pawn Stars pawn shop.

As for that final hand, Penepent, who now lives just outside of Chattanooga, Tenn., isn't calling it a bad beat or even a misplayed hand.

He was on the button (the last position to bet on hand) with blinds of $1,500/$3,000.  His stack was $175,000 to $200,000, about midsize at his table.  To his left is an aggressive player who is by far the chip leader at Penepent's table.  

When the bet gets to him, and there's been no raises, Penepent looks down at pocket aces and decides to double the blind, making the bet $6,000.  

The chip leader calls and a guy on Penepent's right calls.

The flop comes jack, 10, seven.  

Player to the right checks, hero checks, chip leader bets $12,000.  

The guy on the right calls. The hero goes all-in.

Chip leader calls.  The guy on the right calls.

Cards up.  Chip leader hit two pair, jack and 10s.  The guy on the right has an open-ended straight draw with a suited king and a queen (meaning either an ace or a nine gives him a straight).

If a jack or a 10 comes on the turn, or the river, the chip leader has a full house.  The only card that can help the straight draw in an ace.

The turn is a deuce.  Our hero's outs are now one of the three remaining deuces or one of the three remaining sevens. Otherwise, he loses and is out of the tournament.

Mr. straight draw spikes the ace on the river and rakes in a pot of some $500,000 to $600,000, and our hero is headed to the Strip to join the Vegas fun with his family.

"I played the hand the only way I could have played it," Penepent said. "If I go all in from the start, the chip leader is going to call."

He also figures he would have gotten a call from both players if he hadn't check-raised and just gone all-in when it was his turn to bet after the flop.

"I decided to slow play the aces from the start, and I still think that was the best play," Penepent said.

(The risk of playing pocket aces too aggressively is marginal hands fold, and you miss the opportunity to maximize the value of a strong starting hand. In this case, the marginal hands called -- which is what you want -- but those players were lucky enough to improve their hands with the community cards.)

Penepent does expect to be on TV when the championship is aired in five or six months.  He said he was interviewed.

He had a chance to meet one of the show's stars, Vince Van Patten. 

"I talked with Vince Van Patten (about the hand), and he said if he were sitting in the same seat playing the same hand, he would have played it the same way, except maybe he would have made it $9,000 (before the flop)."

Even with the fairly early tournament bust, Penepent said he wants another crack at it. He plans to play in the same satellite tournament that won him this year's seat again next year.

"I really enjoyed the experience," Penepent said. "I don't know if I'm going to get to enjoy it again, but I'm going to try."

O-A beats Attica 63-49

By Howard B. Owens

The Oakfield-Alabama Hornets beat Attica in Boys Basketball on Wednesday night, 63-49.

For O-A, Noah Currier scored 18 points, Kyle Porter, 14 (hitting four three-pointers), and Colton Yasses, 11.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more photos, click here.

Shallow beats Demeter N in slugfest at Batavia

By Tim Bojarski


There were six mares in the $14,000 Distaff Open I Handicap at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Dec. 14) but it turned into a match race that saw Shallow out-duel Demeter N to claim her 12th win of the year. 

Jim Morrill Jr. put Shallow on the lead but Larry Stalbaum had Demeter N revved up in the breeze and they drew alongside the leader at the quarter in :28.4 and from there, the pair that had been splitting starts between Saratoga and Batavia got into it. With no hole to be had and the front unattainable, Demeter N continued to dig on the rim past the half in :57.3, around turn three and then up the backstretch to three-quarters in 1:27.2. 

Shallow was under urging from Morrill and Stalbaum was rocking in Demeter N’s bike as they rounded the last bend only one-half length apart. Heading into the lane there was no quit in Demeter N, who continued to gain ground on Shallow who started to look vulnerable. As the gap shortened along with the stretch, it appeared Demeter N could reach. But Shallow had enough left to close out the deal and won by a neck in 1:57 in a real thriller. 

With the win, Shallow ($3.40) eclipsed the century mark in earnings, now boasting $104,236 for owner Room4040 LLC Stables and trainer Andy Gardiner. 

In the $10,000 conditioned event for fillies and mares, Candy’s Desire (Kyle Cummings) caught a perfect trip behind Saulsbrook Olympia (Dave McNeight III) into the stretch and then shook loose to catch Lyons Anita (Kevin Cummings) at the light to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:57. Owned by her driver Kyle Cumming along with Alyssa Cummings, the Tammy Cummings trained Candy’s Desire returned $6.40. 

Kevin Cummings and Jim Morrill Jr. each had driving hat tricks as trainer Shawn McDonough also won three on the conditioning side.

Batavia Downs wraps up the 2022 meet on Saturday (Dec. 17) at 3 p.m. and there is another carryover available. The Jackpot Hi-5 Pentafecta in the 13th race will start with $10,733 in the pool and as it is the last night of racing for 2022, there will be a force out and the pool has been guaranteed at $15,000 through the USTA Strategic Wagering Program.

The clubhouse will open the doors at 2:30 p.m. and will offer a prime rib and shrimp buffet that will be served from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Railbar will be open at 2:30 p.m. until the end of the last race, which will be approximately 7 p.m., however it will not remain open for the Bills game.

The final day of racing will also host the “Day of Distinction” year-end awards, which will be presented by the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association and Batavia Downs to honor all the human and equine stars of the 2022 meeting.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery.

Cummings, Morrill both top $1 million at Batavia meet

By Tim Bojarski

With the 2022 meet coming to a close, the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association and Batavia Downs will honor the top performing driver and trainer in the winner’s circle on closing day, Saturday, December 17. However, this year is a little different because accolades will be going to two drivers for their achievements, where the training title has yet to be decided.

After a ferocious meet-long “two-horse race" between Kevin Cummings and Jim Morrill Jr. that saw the third-place driver end up over 75 wins behind both, the dash driving title and trophy goes to Kevin Cummings, who at the end of Wednesday night’s card had 149 wins to Morrill’s 136.

To date, Cummings’ numbers for the meet show 526 starts with 146 wins, 104 seconds and 72 thirds with earnings of $1,024,864 and a UDR. of .439. Cummings has won the dash title at Batavia four times before and finished second to Morrill last year.

Cummings' body of work for all of 2022 saw him start 943 times with 217 wins, 175 seconds and 129 thirds with $1,670,595 in earnings and a UDR of .379. Those overall numbers reflect his second-highest one-year earnings total, his most wins since 2015 and his highest UDR since 2003.

Morrill’s numbers are just as gaudy. At Batavia, he had 455 starts with 136 wins, 100 seconds and 62 thirds with $1,115,951 in purses and a UDR of .466. Morrill has won this title the last two years and four times overall.

Altogether this year, Morrill had 916 starts with 246 wins, 199 seconds and 126 thirds with $2,412,882 in earnings and a UDR of .435. That UDR rating has him sitting in second place among all drivers in North America for percentage performance.

Another defining accomplishment that Cummings and Morrill had in common this year is that they both went over the $1 million mark in earnings at Batavia Downs and that’s the first time that any driver has surpassed that milestone since the track opened in 1940. As a result, a special plaque presentation commemorating that historic event will be made to both.

The training title is still up for grabs between Jennifer Giuliani and Shawn McDonough and will go down to the final night of action.  After Wednesday’s card McDonough has 52 wins and Giuliani has 50. And both have a busy day on Saturday with Giuliani entering seven horses and McDonough starting five, so the winner will be determined at some point during that card.

So far, McDonough’s Batavia tally shows 271 starts with 52 wins, 39 seconds and 40 thirds that banked $383,444 and provided him a UTR of .321. His 2022 overall totals for 2022 showed 108 wins and $819,482 earned, both of which were career highs for McDonough by a wide margin. McDonough won the driving title at Batavia in 2013 but has never won a training title, although he did finish second at Batavia in 2020.

To this point in the meet Giuliani has 247 starts with 50 wins, 49 seconds and 30 thirds with earnings of $416,298 and a UTR of .353. For the year she has 86 wins and $701,122 in purses, both of which are career highs for the fourth-year conditioner. Giuliani won her first training title at Batavia last year.

Please note that post time for Saturday was moved to 3 p.m. to avoid conflict with the flexed Buffalo Bills versus Miami Dolphins game later that night.

There may be an early Christmas present for some lucky player at Batavia Saturday. A Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta carryover that has been growing for weeks has reached $10,733.58 and with the meet ending, a mandatory payout will happen Saturday. So Batavia Downs has guaranteed the pool at $15,000 through the United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program for that pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free program pages will be available on the USTA website for that race and free full past performance race programs for the entire card can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab. If you can’t attend the races live, you can still watch all the action on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel.

The clubhouse will open their doors at 2:30 p.m. and will offer a prime rib and shrimp buffet that will be served from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Railbar will be open from 2:30 p.m. until the end of the last race, which will be approximately 7 p.m., however it will not remain open for the Bills game.

Photos by Wendy Lowery. Top photo, Kevin Cummings. Bottom photo, Jim Morrill.

Batavia Downs offers $15,000 Hi-5 guarantee Saturday

By Tim Bojarski

Closing day at Batavia Downs is this Saturday (Dec. 17) and an early Christmas present may be waiting there for some lucky player. A Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta carryover that has been growing for weeks has reached $10,733.58 and with the meet coming to a close, a mandatory payout will happen Saturday. So Batavia Downs will be offering a guaranteed $15,000 pool through the United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program for that pentafecta wager in race 13. 

Please note that post time for Saturday was moved to 3 p.m. to avoid conflict with the flexed Buffalo Bills versus Miami Dolphins game later that night.  

Free program pages will be available on the USTA website for that race and free full past performance race programs for the entire card can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab. If you can’t attend the races live, you can still watch all the action on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel.

The clubhouse will open its doors at 2:30 p.m. and will offer a prime rib and shrimp buffet that will be served from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Railbar will be open at 2:30 p.m. until the end of the last race, which will be approximately 7 p.m. however it will not remain open for the Bills game.

The final day of racing will also host the “Day of Distinction” year-end awards, which will be presented by the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association and Batavia Downs to honor all the human and equine stars of the 2022 meeting.

United bounces back from two goal deficit to win 6-3 over Greece Storm

By Steve Ognibene

Story based on submission by BND  

BND started slow, but gained stream as the game went on exploding for six goals in 30 minutes to completely erase a 2–0 deficit after the first period.

"This was the first time all season we were trailing at the end of the first period, and we were down by two," said Head Coach Marc Staley. "But the kids did a really nice job gathering themselves and starting fresh in the second period.”

United scored four goals in the first eight minutes of the second period to go from down by two, two up by two.

“Executing on the power play like we did there in a second period gave us a huge boost," Staley said. "We are going to be a difficult team to beat if teams are going to take penalties against us.”

The Storm were called for three penalties in the early portion of the 2nd period, and BND capitalized on all three.  

Senior Cooper Hamilton scored on the power play only 29 seconds into the period, followed by another power-play goal from sophomore Brady Johnson.  A mere five minutes later, Junior forward Joe DiRisio buried a rebound and made it three power-play goals on three chances.

“Specialty teams are huge in hockey nowadays," Staley said. "We converted three of our four chances on the power play, and we killed off all five of the penalties called against us. I thought the kids did a great job executing in the big moments.”

Junior goaltender Frankie Falleti made 21 stops on 24 shots against. Also scoring for BND was sophomore Ivan Milovidov, sophomore Jameson Motyka, and sophomore Brady Carney, who registered his first ever Varsity goal. 

Senior, Ronin Hofmaster linished with three assists on the evening.

Junior, Defensman, O’Rian Lama chipped in two assists as well.

United out shot the Storm during the game 37 to 25.

“Greece has an excellent program and they are a huge school district," Staley said.  "All four of their high schools combine to create one varsity team. I’m really proud of our kids for going into their home barn and coming away with a victory. This is the bounce back we needed after the loss to McQuaid, and hopefully this gives us some nice momentum heading into “The McCarthy” this weekend”

BND United will be hosting the annual David McCarthy Christmas Tournament on Friday and Saturday.  Iroquois/Alden (4-1) will face off against Niagara/Wheatfield (5-0) at 6 p.m. on Friday evening. Following this game BND (4-1) will take on WFL Geneva (0-3) at 8 p.m.  The consolation game will take place at noon on Saturday, with the championship game scheduled to face off at 3 p.m.

United won the Tournament last year fending off a tough Webster Schroeder squad 5-4.  

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

UNY-USHWA and Batavia Downs to honor 14-year-old Iron Horses

By Tim Bojarski

The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association and Batavia Downs will honor three 14-year-old veteran race horses who will officially retire on January 1, 2023. These horses have competed at the Downs this season and will be presented with a trophy commemorating their outstanding careers in the winner’s circle between races during “The Day of Distinction” that will be held on Saturday, December 17.  Post time for the first race is 3 p.m.

Two pacers and one trotter have finished their careers at Batavia and will hang up their harness for the final time.

Freaky Flyer (Dontgetinmyway-The Nanny) 458-63-68-66 - 1:53.2 - $374,773

Although Freaky Flyer has been a fixture at Batavia Downs for the last nine years, he has raced his heart out at tracks from New York to Florida ever since his 2-year-old campaign without ever missing a year of action. “The Freak” as he is known, averaged 35 starts per year his entire career and had his best season since 2018 this year, winning a total of 10 races, four of which were at Batavia. After registering his fourth highest annual earnings total in 2022 ($40,418), he has left the building and entered his “forever home” with his new owners in Avon, New York where he’s being spoiled with his favorite treat: bananas. Trainer Rose Russo owned and raced Freaky Flyer prior to his retirement.

Bettor’s Reward (Bettors Delight-Romancing The Sea) 267-43-30-32 - 1:51.3 - $453,380

Bettor’s Reward made his very first pari-mutuel start at Batavia Downs on September 28, 2010 and got his first lifetime pari-mutuel victory there two weeks later, winning a maiden race in 2:03.1. After having success in the New York Sire Stakes at three, Bettor’s Reward went on to become a hard-knocking Open class aged pacer in Canada and on the New York/New Jersey circuit. For two years he faced the likes of Golden Receiver, Escape The News, Up The Credit, Statesman N, Hypnotic Blue Chip, Aracache Hanover and Western Shore. Unfortunately he suffered from soundness issues from 2014 to 2018 and only made 14 starts during that time. But he came back strong in 2019 and raced 147 starts his final four years and closed out his career with six wins in 2022, his last coming at Batavia on October 8. Bettor’s Reward is owned by Fortunate One LLC.

Parkhill Horton (Oaklea Julian-Guardian Image) 321-36-40-54 - 1:54.2 - $198,454

He was never a star or stakes winner, but Parkhill Horton came to work every week for 13 years and earned his way to a well deserved retirement. He’s a horse that liked to leave and often found himself on the front, trotting his best with the lead. His lifetime mark of 1:54.2 was taken at Vernon Downs in 2016, but his win in 1:58 at Batavia this year was his fastest since 2017. And his $27,508 in earnings this year was also his second best one year bank deposit of his life. His final start at Batavia will be on Wednesday (Dec. 14). Parkhill Horton is owned and trained by Rachelle Mungillo. 

Post Time for the final card of racing on Saturday (Dec.17) was moved from 6 p.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate fans of both harness racing and the Buffalo Bills after the game between them and the Miami Dolphins was flexed to Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. The clubhouse will open their doors at 2:30 p.m. and will offer a prime rib and shrimp buffet that will be served from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Railbar will be open from 2:30 p.m. until the end of the last race, which will be approximately 7 p.m., however it will not remain open for the Bills game. 

GR announces players of the week

By Press Release

Press release:

W/E Dec. 4
Div. 1: Junior Trent Woods Alexander: 12 pt 6 assist in loss to Wellsville 51-38. Trent Woods 14 points 4 assist 5 steals in win 66-38. Trent made all tournament team at Attica

Div. 2: Braedyn Chambry Byron-Bergenf  Braedyn tallied 31 pts and grabbed 15 rebounds in a season opening win over EMHCS.  He followed that performance up with a 30 pt and 18 rebound effort in the opening round of the Warsaw tournament, leading the Bees to their second win.  Early foul trouble landed Chambry on the bench for much of the first half, but he still managed to lead his team to the tournament title with 18 pts and 12 rebounds. 

Jordan Welker Notre Dame : Jordan scored 28 pts with 7 assists and 6 steals to earn Player of the Game honors as ND beat Geneseo in the Way-Co Showcase.

W/E Dec. 11
Div. 1: Cole Harding Attica:  We were down 14 in the 2nd half and Cole led us back and we won in overtime. Cole had 33 points and 10 rebounds. 25 points in the 4th quarter and overtime 

Div. 2: Connor Scott Elba:  Connor had 30pts to lead Elba to a win over Albion. 

Sydney Reilly leads Elba over Wheatland

By Howard B. Owens

Elba (1-1) beat Wheatland-Chili in Girls Basketball on Tuesday, 82-29.

Sydney Reilly lead the Lady Lancers with 19 points and notched a double-double, getting 10 assists.  She also had eight rebounds.  Reilly hit eight of nine field goal attempts and three of four three-point tries. She also had seven steals.

Mariah Ognibene scored 14 points and had eight rebounds.

Lydia Ross scored 13 points and Haile Scouten scored 12.

Byron-Bergen beats Notre Dame in girls basketball

By Howard B. Owens

Byron-Bergen is now 2-0 and Notre Dame drops to 2-1 after the Bees secured a 46-43 win in Girls Basketball on Tuesday.

No stats are available for Byron-Bergen.

For Notre Dame, Amelia McCulley scored 20 points, hitting five of 11 three-point attempts. Nina Bartz scored six points and Emma Sisson scored five.

Ron Beback Jr. to be honored by UNY-USHWA and Batavia Downs

By Tim Bojarski

Ron Beback Jr. will be presented with the Good Samaritan Award by the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association and Batavia Downs for his heroic actions to save an overturned kayaker from drowning this past summer. The ceremony will take place in the winner’s circle between races during “The Day of Distinction” that will be held on Saturday, December 17.  Post time for the first race is 3 p.m.

The incident occurred when Beback was out fishing on August 31 at Horseshoe Lake at the De Witt Recreation area in Batavia, New York. As he was taking his fishing gear to the water, he was approached by a man who was yelling, “She fell out of the kayak!” The man’s friend was an older woman who was unfamiliar with the currents in the lake on a windy day, tipped over and was unable to get back upright.

Beback dashed to his truck to get his kayak, paddled out to the middle of the lake and was able to get the woman back in her kayak before dragging her to the center island where they waited for authorities to come in a boat and get her back to shore. The event was well documented in the local news and Beback was greeted as a hero when he arrived to race at Batavia Downs that night.

Ever humble, Beback didn’t want any notoriety for his heroics and simply said in an interview, “I’m just glad I ended up there that day and was able to help.”

Beback’s actions were representative of the caring and helpful nature harness racing horsemen and women are known for and as such, not only helped bring someone in dire straits to safety, but also put the sport in a very positive light nationally. And UNY-USHWA and Batavia Downs are pleased to present him with this award.

Post Time for the final card of racing on Saturday (Dec.17) was moved from 6 p.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate fans of both harness racing and the Buffalo Bills after the game between them and the Miami Dolphins was flexed to Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. The clubhouse will open their doors at 2:30 p.m. and will offer a prime rib and shrimp buffet that will be served from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Railbar will be open from 2:30 p.m. until the end of the last race, which will be approximately 7 p.m., however it will not remain open for the Bills game.

Batavia native fulfilling a life ambition, playing a big-stakes poker tournament in Vegas

By Howard B. Owens

It's Day 1B of the $15 million World Poker Championship in Las Vegas today -- it's the largest pot in poker tournament history -- and a Batavia native is still in it.

Ronald “Tigar” Penepent, who now resides just outside of Chattanooga, Tenn.,  won his $10,400 buy-in to the championship through a satellite tournament.

A satellite tournament is one where the top prize is a seat at a major, higher-buy-in tournament.

The WPT Championship runs through Dec. 18. 

Penepent is one of 1,531 entrants in the tournament, and the prize pool is now expected to exceed the original $15 million estimate. Registration for the tournament in Las Vegas closes at 10 p.m. EST, at which time the total prize pool will be set.

Penepent told PokerNews that his love of poker began with family and friends in Batavia. 

“It was always a dream of mine to win a big tournament, and I often shared this goal with my Dad," he said. "Sadly, my Dad passed away in 2020 from cancer. Winning an entry into this tournament is truly a bucket list item for me.”

He told PokerNews he would love to meet two poker legends, Doyle Brunson and Phil Hellmuth.

“During my time in Las Vegas, I will be joined by 10 family members," he said. "They will be there to support me and have fun as we always do. They will be traveling from New York, Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio, and Alabama.”

Photo courtesy of the Penepent family.

Albion kegler takes title; Batavians place second, third

By Press Release

Press release:

Using his Storm Punch Out ball for the first time in quite a while, Albion resident Bill Logan knocked over plenty of pins en route to victory in the Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour stop Sunday at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

Logan, 72, a retired Village of Albion employee, averaged 244 for his six games – finishing with a 270 game in the four-person finals – to claim the $300 first prize. It was his first victory on the tour and first trip to the finals.

“I took the ball out of the cellar the Thursday before and used it throughout the tournament,” said Logan, who posted 709 in the qualifying round. He then rolled 225 and 265 in the eliminator rounds before ending with 270.

Batavians Mike Pettinella and Bill Neubert placed second and third, respectively,

Pettinella, 67, a two-time tour champion, rolled 681 in the qualifying round and followed that with 257, 228 and 201 to earn $195. Neubert, 72, qualified with 674 and then posted games of 224, 235 and 183.

Terry Bennetti, 72, of Lockport finished in fourth place.

Reid Cole of Albion, the high qualifier with a 750 series, made it to the top eight and won $70.

The tournament drew 46 entrants. The next event is scheduled for 11 a.m. Jan. 15 at Doug Kent’s Rose Bowl Lanes in Newark.

VOLKER, CAPIZZI 1ST IN LE ROY

The team of Kevin Volker of Buffalo and Sam Capizzi of Rochester took first place in the Bubba’s Landscaping Scratch Doubles Tournament at Le Roy Legion Lanes on Saturday.

The winning duo defeated Brandon Martin and Ricky Zinone of Rochester for the $800 top prize.

Batavians James Townsend and Jason Quilliam placed third, splitting $200.

Other local bowlers cashing were Paul Bacon/Mark Brown and Brian/Brady Weber. Bacon and Brown were the top qualifiers with 924 for two games – a 230 per bowler average.

Twenty-nine teams competed in the annual event.

Submitted photo: From left, Tournament Director Pete Nashburn, Bill Logan, Mike Pettinella and Bill Neubert.

Curtis Foss records 61st USBC-certified 300 game

By Press Release

Press release:

Medina's Curtis Foss added to his long list of honor scores this week, posting a 300 game in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

The 35-year-old right-hander now has 61 United States Bowling Congress-certified perfect games. He also rolled a 236 game en route to a 762 series.

In other league action around the Genesee Region USBC:

  • Mike Pettinella of Batavia stayed hot in the Turnbull Heating Triples League at Mancuso Bowling Center with a 265-269-227--761;
  • Alex Allis of Medina led teh way in the Sunday Rolloffs League at Medina Lanes with a 279 game and 763 series.

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

CR Blazin Beauty, Kevin Cummings shine at Batavia Saturday

By Tim Bojarski

A clear night and a very fast racing surface produced outstanding miles and some huge payoffs at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Dec. 10) and those performances were led by CR Blazin Beauty (Kevin Cummings) who tracked fast fractions early and went from worst to first while capturing the $14,000 Open I Handicap trotting co-feature at 25-1 in a real thriller. 

Buzz (Mike Baumeister) took the field to the quarter in :28.2 while Wilberforce (Christian Myers) sat outside of Captain Krupnick (Jim McNeight Jr.) as the pair chased the leader to the half in :57.4. Just past that station the field was four in and four out, with CR Blazin Beauty still sitting last on the pylons. 

As Wilberforce faded up the backstretch, Con Air Hall (Dave McNeight III) moved three-wide into contention heading through the last turn while Cummings found room at the pegs and advanced CR Blazin Beauty into fifth by the head of the stretch. As they barreled into the straight, Con Air Hall was even with Sass, CR Blazin Beauty found the middle of the track and continued to gain ground while Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) came out of nowhere and was flying home four wide. In deep stretch four trotters fanned even across the track, but CR Blazin Beauty broke through from the rest and grabbed a neck advantage at the light and won in 1:58. 

It was the tenth win of the year and 51st lifetime for CR Blazin Beauty, ($52.50) and it pushed her bankroll to $105,384 this year for owner Marissa Russo. David Russo trains the winner. 

Cummings' win with CR Blazin Beauty was only one of five he scored on the card. He also visited the Purple Haze winners enclosure with American General (1:57.4, $16.80), Thor De Vie (1:55.4, $6.80), Gemini Eddie (1:58, $3.00) and Paprike Blue Chip (1:56.3, $7.20). Cummings is now 13 wins ahead of Jim Morrill Jr. for the dash driving title for this meet with only two days of racing left. 

The $14,000 Open I Handicap pace wasn’t nearly as action-packed as the trot, but Stranger Things (Jim Morrill Jr.) put on quite a show of his own en route to his 12th win of 2022.

After the heavy post-time favorite The Longest Yard (Kevin Cummings) made a break in the first turn, Morrill tucked second with with Stranger Things behind Pocket Watch N (Ray Fisher Jr.) but once settled, came back out and took the lead at the quarter in :28 and from there never looked back. He got to the half in :57.4 and three-quarters in 1:26.4 with a comfortable 1-½ length lead and no one close enough to challenge. By the time he hit the top of the stretch he extended that gap to five lengths and just cruised home to win in 1:55.2 while Morrill sat chilly. 

It was the second win in a row for Stranger Things ($7.60) who also cracked the “hundred-grand” mark, now boasting $103,945 in earnings for owners Virginia Schoeffel, Kathy Schoeffel and James Reuther. It was one of two winners for conditioner Angelo Nappo on Saturday. 
With only two days left in the meet, live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Dec. 14) at 6 p.m. and there is another carryover available. The Jackpot Hi-5 Pentafecta in the 11th race will start with $8,306 in the pool. 

Also please note that post time for the final night of racing, Saturday, Dec. 17, has been changed from 6 p.m. to 3 p.m. This was done after the National Football League “flexed” the Week 15 game between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins to 8:15 p.m. that same day.

The clubhouse will open the doors at 2:30 p.m. and will offer a prime rib and shrimp buffet that will be served from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Railbar will be open at 2:30 p.m. until the end of the last race, which will be approximately 7 p.m., however it will not remain open for the Bills game.

The final day of racing will also host the “Night of Distinction” year-end awards, which will be presented by the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association and Batavia Downs to honor all the human and equine stars of the 2022 meeting.

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 and then you can watch all the races live on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery.

United lets game slip away against McQuaid for first loss

By

United carried a 2 - 1 lead into the third against McQuaid on Friday night but were unable to hang on for the victory at The McCarthy. 

Scoring for United were sophomores Jameson Motyka, and Ivan Milovidov. 

Goaltender Frankie Falleti made 21 saves on 24 shots.

McQuaid tied the game with just under nine minutes to play, knocking in a rebound goal to level the score at 2.  With only four minutes to play in the game, they struck again to take the lead, and eventually added an empty net goal to seal the game at 4-2.

Shots in the contest were virtually level at 25-24, with a slight advantage for McQuaid. 

BND was a perfect 4-4 on the penalty kill but was 0-2 on the Powerplay. 

“This is a good lesson for us early in the season," said Head Coach Marc Staley. "Against these top teams, all it takes is one or two mental mistakes, and they will punish you. We are learning.  3-1 through 4 games is not too bad.  But we were 8 minutes away from 4-0, with 2 huge wins on the road against state-ranked teams, that’s where the disappointment comes from.  But the good news is I don’t think I saw anybody handing any trophies out after the game last night. Our biggest games are still in front of us, this is going to make us better.”

BND will have Saturday and Sunday to rest, before returning to the ice for practice on Monday. 

“We have another tough test playing against Greece next Tuesday night at Lakeshore rinks in Rochester," Staley said. "Then we are very much looking forward to hosting the annual David McCarthy Memorial Christmas Tournament at our home rink next weekend.”

On Friday, Dec. 16, Iroquois Central (3-1) will face off against Niagara Wheatfield (4-0) at 6 p.m to kickoff the tournament. 

United (3-1) will face WFL Geneva (0-2) at 8 p.m.  The consolation game will be played at noon on Saturday, with the championship game set for 3 p.m. 

A special number-retiring ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. prior to the championship game.  Former captain David McCarthy’s #6 will be officially retired and hung in the arena.  Many of David’s family, friends, teammates, and coaches will be in attendance. 

“It’s going to be a very special and emotional afternoon, no doubt," Staley said. "Aside from Dave being a wonderful hockey player, and a great captain, he was a beloved son, brother, husband, and father to three amazing children.  He was a dear friend to my brother Jack and I, and this is something I’m honestly not looking forward to doing.  But it’s time to officially bring him back home.”  

Batavia tops Odyssey 76-38 in opener

By Steve Ognibene

Batavia opened up the basketball season on the road against Greece Odyssey and doubled their opponent's score 76-38.

Sawyer Siverling scored 19 points, hitting five three-point shots. Ja'vin McFollins scored 17 points and three a tres of threes. Aiden Bellavia scored 11 points, Carter McFollins, 9 points and Justin Smith, 8 points.

Batavia held Odyssey to 12 points in the first half and maintained a 20-plus point lead from the second quarter to the final buzzer.

Batavia plays Eastridge at home, next Friday at 7:15 p.m.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

To view or purchase photos, click here.

All of Byron-Bergen's fall sports teams achieve scholar-athlete recognition

By Press Release

Press release:

The Byron-Bergen Senior High School proudly announces that every fall varsity Byron-Bergen sports team achieved the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Scholar-Athlete Team award. The fall sports teams are boys cross-country, girls cross-country, football, gymnastics, boys soccer, girls soccer, and girls volleyball.

“The District is very proud of these athletes for not only shining on the field or court, but working hard in the classroom,” said Byron-Bergen Athletic Director Rich Hannan. “It is phenomenal to have every sports team achieve a Scholar-Athlete Team award. Keep up the great work, Bees!”

The Scholar-Athlete program recognizes athletes for their academic success. NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team awards go to teams whose average GPA of 75% of the athletic team equals 90 or above.

Scholar-Athlete Team award recipients:

Cross Country – Boys
Cameron Carlson, Frank Henrsom, Samuel Hersom, Jackson Lundfelt, Lincoln McGrath, Bradley Pocock, Travis Shallenberg, Roman Smith, Solomon Smith, Gabriel Vallese

Cross Country – Girls
Cassidy Ball, Katelyn Ball, Dayanara Caballero, Hanna Loewke, Stephanie Onderdonk, Katherine Rogoyski, Zoey Shepard

Football
David Brumsted, Brendin Galves, Connor Moran, Malachi Smith, James Starowitz, Ruger Starowitz

Gymnastics
Samantha Copani Emily Salmonds

Soccer – Boys
Brody Baubie, Noah Clare, Kendan Dressler, Jack Farner, Colin Martin, Nathan Parsons, Haydin Perez, Brendan Pimm, Carter Prinzi, Colin Rea, Travis Shallenberg, Trent Sheard

Soccer – Girls
Grace Capostagno, Grace DiQuattro, Lea Donofrio, Gabrielle Graff, Ava Gray, Mia Gray, Mackenzie Hagen, Megan Jarkiwicz, Tori LaMar, Kendall Phillips, Novalee Pocock, Natalie Prinzi, Victoria Rogoyski, Elizabeth Starowitz, Emma Starowitz, Ashley Schlenker-Stephens Ava Wagoner, Julia Will, Rose Wilson, Megan Zwerka

Volleyball – Girls
Emma Balduf, Carlee Barons, Deborah Catalino, Chloe Gilbert, Makala Hoopengar, Ella Lewis, Lily Stalica, LIllian Walker

Pembroke beats Holley 60-34 in Girls Basketball

By Howard B. Owens

Eight different girls scored for Pembroke on Friday night to give the Dragons a 60-34 win over Holley in basketball.

Scoring: 

  • Olivia Breeden, 23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals
  • Karli Houseknecht, 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 8 steals
  • Izzy Breeden, 5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
  • Carly Cerasani, 2 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal.
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