Sports

Summer Slash took advantage of a step back from last week’s Open into a lower conditioned event at Batavia Downs, where she power-moved to victory in the $12,500 fillies and mares pacing feature on Wednesday (October 9) night.

Center Attraction (Jim McNeight Jr.) took the lead passing the quarter and took the field to the half in a pedestrian :59. That prompted True That (Kevin Cummings) to move to the outside and summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) took advantage of the cover from fifth. As the field bunched at three-quarters, Fisher tipped Summer Slash three-wide in the last turn and when they hit the stretch, she was gone. Summer Slash paced to the line clear by two in 1:57 over the rain-soaked track rated as good.

It was the fourth win of the year for Summer Slash ($8.80) who is owned by Ilovemyharnesshorsesummer and trained by Ryan Swift.

There were also two $9,500 conditioned paces for distaff competitors.

In the first, NY Hardcore (Bradley Jackson) sat behind Casie’s Believer (Joe Chindano Jr.) for seven-eighths of the mile before tipping into the passing lane and brushing to the line first by a half length in 1:58.3. Casie’s Believer ($5.20) is owned by Sonia Joly and trained by Francis Guillemette.

The second was won by Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings) who pulled first-over at the half to take the lead from Lookatmyart (Kevin Cummings) and then pull away from the field in the stretch by four lengths to win in 1:55.4. Won Surreal Deal ($6.60) is owned by Parsimonious Racing Stable and trained by Jeff Sorenson.

Driver Kyle Cummings and trainer Chris Petrelli each scored a hat trick to lead their respective categories on Wednesday.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (October 11) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $2,699 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

Driver Kyle Cummings was on point Saturday (October 5) night at Batavia Downs after winning both the $13,000 Open Handicap trot with Double Class and $13,000 Open Handicap pace PL Quarantine in convincing fashion.

First in the trot, Cummings took Double Class off the gate and trailed from fifth as Power And Grace (Drew Monti) led the field to the half in a tepid :58.4. But that tempo would soon pick up when Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) came calling first-over with Double Class drafting one out and one back. These positions remained unchanged to three-quarters and around the last turn where Double Class tipped three-wide heading into the stretch and then trotted home alone while Cummings high-lined and broke the beam in 1:57.2.

It was the second win in the last three starts and eighth win overall this year for Double Class ($20.40) for owner/trainer Jim Clouser Jr.

Then in the pace Cummings took immediate control of the race with PL Quarantine, who led at every stage of the race. After setting quarters of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:26, PL Quarantine broke away by 2-½ lengths around the last turn and then bolted home on top by three in 1:53.3.

It was the seventh consecutive win for PL Quarantine ($3.60) who is owned by Jane Stanley and his trainer Joe Alba.

Cummings also won with Catch A Lefty A (1:57, $3.00) to complete his hat trick.

A notable win came in the $11,000 mid-level conditioned trot where the venerable trotter Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) employed one of his patented come-from-behind brushes to hit the line first in 1:59 and chalk-up the 65th win of his career. The now 10-year-old Lougazi ($35.20) has now earned $573,259 for his owner Mary Warriner and trainer Ryan Swift.

Mike Deters was the top conditioner on Saturday, sending two from his stable to the winner’s enclosure.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (October 9) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $1,940 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

Oakfield-Alabama beat Holley in three sets on Monday.

• Junior, Opposite Hitter, Aimee Demmer - 4 aces, 1 dig, 1 kill, her serving streak brought us back in the lead during set 2! Amazing job!
• Senior, Outside Hitter, Milena Lindsley - 3 aces, 1 dig, 1 assist, 3 kills
• Junior, Outside Hitter, Kendall Newbould - 6 digs, 1 ace, 1 assist
• Senior, Outside Hitter, Cara Williams - 8 digs, 1 ace, 8 kills

Pembroke beat Notre Dame in three sets on Monday.

Scores: 25-23, 27-25, 25-17.

Senior Reagan Schneider had 17 kills, 9 digs and 5 aces. Senior Brianna Reynalds had 7 digs, 4 kills and 4 aces. Senior Angel Neureuter added 8 digs, 4 kills and 3 aces.  This was a great night for our seniors. 

When Drew Monti won the first race at Batavia Downs on Friday (October 4) night with Heavens Fury (2:00.4, $5.10), he reached a major milestone by registering the 2,500th win of his career and he did it on his 30th birthday. The win was only the first of four that Monti had during the evening, putting an exclamation mark on his accomplishment. He also won with Hudsonandbernard (1:57.2, $9.90), I’m Already Gone (1:56.4, $6.10) and Seasiderocket (1:58.4, $7.20).

Monti started driving at New York fairs in 2012 at the age of 17 and won his very first start behind Super Grover at Waterloo, NY. A year later, he got his first pari-mutuel win at Batavia Downs in the fall of 2013 behind Right Back At You who was a heavy favorite at 1-9, and Monti has remained a favorite of trainers and bettors alike on several circuits ever since.

Although racing full time at Batavia Downs where he won the driving title in 2016 and 2018, Monti has also been a regular reinsman at Plainridge Park since 2019 where he has finished in the top five among that driver colony on four different occasions. Over the years, Monti has also competed at The Meadowlands, Yonkers, The Meadows, Woodbine-Mohawk Park, Northfield, The Red Mile and Buffalo.

For his career overall, Monti now has 2,503 wins, 2,393 seconds and 2,253 thirds from a total of 16,957 starts and just under $19.5 million in purses as a result.

Monti’s big night Friday also vaulted him into first place for wins at the current meet at Batavia, as he now sits on top of the list with 55 wins ahead of Kevin Cummings (53), Joe Chindano Jr. (53) and Dave McNeight III (52).  

The one race Monti did not win was the $9,500 featured trot where Makes Me Charlie (Jim McNeight Jr.) grabbed the lead past the half and won boldly by 2-¾ lengths in 1:58.1. Makes Me Charlie ($2.90) is owned by Amy Butler and Margaret Butler, who also trains the winner.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (October 5) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $1,473 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

Oakfield-Alabama beat Kendall on Thursday in three sets.

• Set 1: OA - 25   K - 14
• Set 2: OA - 25   K - 10
• Set 3: OA - 25   K - 16

• Senior, Outside Hitter, Cara Williams: 8 aces, 3 kills, 7 digs
• Senior, Setter, Jess Sosnowski: 20 assists, 13 digs, 2 blocks, 5 aces, 1 kill
• Senior, Outside Hitter, Milena Lindsley: 4 kills, 2 blocks
• Senior, Middle Hitter, Ryleigh Kirkum: 6 kills, 3 aces
• Junior, Libero, Cali Cramer: 12 digs
• Sophomore, Middle Hitter, Allie Williams: 5 kills, 3 aces, 4 blocks

Pembroke beat Warsaw on Wednesday in three sets.

Scores:

• 25-13, 
• 25-16,
• 25-18

Despite his current sharp racing form, Louie The Lilac was grossly overlooked at the windows and sent off at 21-1. However the punter’s snub didn’t faze “Louie” as she blew up the tote board after winning the $13,000 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (October 2) evening.  

Louie The Lilac (Shawn McDonough) got away fourth as Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings), It’s Corona Time (Joe Chindano Jr.) and Oaxacan Dream N (Dave McNeight III) all left and paced three abreast around the first turn. As they headed up the backstretch, It’s Corona Time opted out to third while Oaxacan Dream N forged ahead for a long journey as Won Surreal Deal owned the lead at the pegs and wasn’t going to relent. These top two paced to the half in :55.1 before Oaxacan Dream N began to tire from the airing.

As the race approached five-eighths, Louie The Lilac tipped out from third and drew alongside It’s Corona Time as both were still chasing Won Surreal Deal heading to three-quarters. Won Surreal Deal opened up two lengths in the last turn, where Louie The Lilac pulled ahead of It’s Corona Time and then went back to the pylons. At the top of the stretch, McDonough dipped Louie The Lilac into the passing lane and bolted past the tiring Won Surreal Deal to win by a length in a season’s best, 1:54.1.

Louie The Lilac ($45.80) is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.

McDonough, Smith and Torcello also won the $11,000 with True That, who came from nowhere to swoop the group.

True That got away sixth while Shooting Brooke (Joe Chindano Jr.) marched off quarters of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:25.4. At that last station, Dark Eclipse N (Drew Monti) tipped from second to go after the leader and True That was still sixth and third-over in the outer flow. At the top of the stretch, Dark Eclipse N took the lead and looked like a winner. But True That came from the clouds, five wide in the middle of the track and zoomed by everyone to win at the line in 1:55.3.

It was the third win in a row for True That ($11.20).

Besides the two top paces, the owner/trainer combination of Torcello and Smith also lit up the board two other times on Wednesday, as their barn continues to be red hot. Joining their stablemates Louie The Lilac and True That in victory were Scenic Adventure (1:55.1, $3.60) and Stonebridge Hypnos (1:56, $3,50).

Drew Monti was a wizard at the reins on Wednesday, scoring a grand slam during the night, including a natural hat trick in races 12, 13 and 14. Monti won with Bet I’m Lucky (1:56, $17.60), Embrace The Rust (2:01.4, $8.70), Shake me Loose (1:57.1, $5.20) and the already mentioned Stonebridge Hypnos.

Monti now sits one win shy of career win 2,500, which he has an excellent chance of getting this Friday (October 4) when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs at 6 p.m. Friday will also feature a $1,115 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

Oakfield-Alabama/Elba lost Kendall in Girls Soccer on Tuesday, 3-2.

Scoring for O-A:

• Piper Hyde unassisted the first half.
• Piper Hyde from Gianna Altamirano 10 min left in 2nd half

Elba beat Holley 3-0 in volleyball on Tuesday.

Scores: 25-13, 25-7, 25-20

Stats:

Oakfield-Alabama beat Alexander in three straight sets in volleyball on Monday.

Scores:

• Set 1: OA: 25   A: 14
• Set 2: OA: 25   A: 22
• Set 3: OA: 25   A: 18

• Senior, Captain, Setter Jess Sosnowski; 17 assists, 2 kills, 12 aces, 10 digs, and a block
• Junior, Libero, Cali Cramer; 17 digs and a kill!
• Sophomore, Middle Hitter, Allie Williams; 7 kills, 6 blocks, 3 digs
• Junior, Outside Hitter, Cara Williams; 5 kills, 8 digs, 5 aces

With no one hitting the Pick-5 wager again at Batavia Downs on Saturday (September 28) night, there is a $2,112 carryover for that wager in the first race on Wednesday (Oct. 2) night at The Downs and track management has announced that pool will be guaranteed at $7,500 through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. Post time for the first race on Wednesday is 6 p.m.

As part of the program, Trackmaster is offering free full past performance programs on the USTA website through this link (https://www.trackmaster.com/freeContent/usta/freeContentFiles/hpl/btv1002x.pdf).

The Pick-5 at Batavia Downs is a 50-cent minimum wager that begins in race one and runs through race five. If all five winners aren’t selected, the carryover amount will then move to the Friday (Oct. 4) night program.

And as always, free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

There was a pair of $13,500 Open Handicap races highlighting the Saturday (September 28) night card at Batavia Downs and the winners of each put in stout efforts in victory on a rain-soaked night in Genesee County.

The Open pace was up first and won by Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.), who was challenged at every step of the mile.

Villiam took the lead off the gate and crossed-over to the pylons in the first turn. But before he could get to the quarter, Melanion N (Drew Monti) had worked his way up from seventh and was pacing alongside the leader. Melanion N took the lead at three-eighths, but Villiam didn’t allow him enough room to clear so the parked pacer was forced to remain in the breeze. Villiam and Melanion N matched strides to the half in :55.4 and continued to battle onto the second circuit.

As they passed five-eighths, Mirragon N (Shawn McDonough) had moved into contention from the back of the pack and tipped three-wide around Melanion N at three-quarters. As Melanion N started to fade, Mirragon N took the lead from Villiam, but once again Villiam refused to let the horse clear. The pair paced step for step around the last turn until Villiam pulled ahead by a length at the top of the stretch and maintained that advantage to the wire where he won in 1:53.1, which was a new easonal mark.

Villiam ($5.40) got his fifth win of the year for his owner Anthony Evgenikos and trainer Maggie Chindano.

Chindano finished the night with a total of three driving wins.

Three races later, the Open trot was won by the only mare in the field of eight, Power And Grace (Drew Monti), who led at every step of the way to turn away all her male rivals.

Power And Grace left from post seven, grabbed the front and proceeded to dictate the rest of the race. After going comfortable quarters of :29.1, :58.4 and 1:28 without any serious challenge from behind, Power And Grace entered the home stretch and simply pulled away from the field by 2-½ lengths in 1:57.4.

It was the 11th win of the year -- and 67th lifetime -- for Power And Grace ($4.20) who is owned by Hartel Maintenance, Lorner McClure, Brett MacDonald and Reg Higgs. Ronald MacDonald was the winning trainer.

Kevin Cummings was top dog in the bike on Saturday, scoring a grand slam at the lines. Cummings won with Dry Ridge Ace (1:57, $3.10), Dogfight (1:56.1, $17.00), Bet Eightthirtyone (1:57.1, $7.80) and Parmesan N (1:57.1, $3.00).

Ryan Hall was the top conditioner, sending two winners postward.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (October 2) with post time at 6:00 p.m.  

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.