Sports

Richard R. Mays, of Hamburg, passed away on Sept. 7, 2022, after a fierce battle with cancer.

Mr. Mays was a lifelong horseman who competed in western New York for 50 years. He was first licensed in 1973 at the age of 16 and has been competing at tracks across New York state ever since. He experienced great early career driving success with the Open pacing mare May O’neighs (2:01.1, $83,925) and Open pacing gelding Lyron Hanover (1:59.3, $127,242) along with a list of other top horses that he raced at Batavia Downs. Later in his career when he switched to training more than driving, Mr. Mays developed many solid racehorses including the multiple stakes winner Two Twentytwo (1:51.3, $293,729).  

During his career, Mr. Mays drove 1,638 winners that earned $4,222,626. He trained another 321 winners which added $1,585,531 to his purse total. His total career efforts won him 1,959 races that benefited his horse’s connections $5,808,157. Mr. Mays was actively racing right up until the time of his passing.

Mr. Mays was the beloved husband of Karen M. Mays (nee Babcock), loving father of Christopher (Frances) Mays, Jamie Simmons, and Scott Mays, dear grandpa of Tyler, Mayson, Maddie, and Hudson, dearest son of the late Frank and Marion Mays, loving brother of Frank Jr., Robert, Terry, Tom, and Joyce. Mr. Mays is also survived by a large loving family and many dear friends.

The family will be present to receive relatives and friends on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Hamburg Chapel of the John J. Kaczor Funeral Home, 5453 Southwestern Blvd. (corner of Rogers Rd.) where a closing prayer will be said at 7 p.m. Please share condolences at www.kaczorfunerals.com.

Beaten only a nose last week after winning three in a row, Saulsbrook Olympia got back to her winning ways after she parlayed a lot of early movement into a late stretch score in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace for fillies and mares at Batavia downs on Wednesday night (Sept. 7). 

Dontustopbelievn N (Jim Morrill Jr.) grabbed the front and made fellow leavers Demeter N (Larry Stalbaum) and Dashintothebeach N (Luke Hanners) work hard to take it from her. Demeter N cleared at the :28 quarter and Dashintothebeach N supplanted that one at the top of the stretch, heading to the half. And just as the field had finally achieved single file, Tres Chic Bluechip (Kevin Cummings) pulled first-over from fifth and brought Saulsbrook Olympia (Dave McNeight III) with her to push the issue even further. 

Dashintothebeach N continued to lead up the backstretch until she hit three-quarters where Tres Chic Bluechip drew alongside, but that was just part of the evolving story. Saulsbrook Olympia who had been drafting one out and two back in the breeze was now winging it three-wide halfway into the final turn. By the time they hit the straight, Tres Chic Bluechip had overtaken Dashintothebeach N, but then Saulsbrook Olympia overtook Tres Chic Bluechip and pulled away to 1-½ length victory in 1:53.4. 

It was the fourth win in the last five starts and eighth win overall this year for Saulsbrook Olympia ($9.40) who is owned by William Mcneil and Edward Gorc and trained by Jeniffer Giuliani. 

McNeight III had a driving double on Wednesday. 

There were also two $11,000 upper-level condition races for distaff participants and the winning pair went nearly identical miles. 

In the first So Admirable (Jim Morrill Jr.) started from post one and was never headed. After cutting quarters of :28.1, :57.1 and 1:25.3 while extending her lead to three lengths by the top of the stretch, she closed out the deal in 1:54.2, equalling her lifetime mark. 

So Admirable ($3.50) is owned by Joe Amico Jr. and trained by Shawn McDonough. 

Then in the second, Winning Words (Kevin Cummings) also left from pylon position and went gate to wire in handy fashion. After splits of :28, :57.1 and 1:26, Cummings let Winning Words pace home on top by 1-¾ in 1:54.3.

Winning Words ($4.50) is owned by Steven Goehle and Norene Mego. Angelo Nappo trains the winner. 

Cummings ended the night with three wins while Nappo wrapped it up with two. 

Other horsemen with doubles on Wednesday were driver Dan Yetman and trainer Dave Russo. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 10) with post time at 6 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

The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team beat Holley in their first game of the season.

Goals were scored by Dima Havens, with an assist from Owen Halpin, and Matthew Wittmeyer, assisted by Dima Havens.  

"A fantastic performance by the defense led by Ryan Dillon while with Jack Pickard earned a shutout," said Head Coach Graham Halpin.

After a perfect steer from Kyle Cummings, Flying Finn N finished strong to register his season’s best effort in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 3). 

Flying Finn N traded leads with Art Scene (Jim Morrill Jr.) off the gate, but landed in front for good just past the :28.2 first quarter. With no imminent aggression near the leader, Flying Finn N hit the half in :57.4 and circled the third turn before he needed to look to his right. It was at the five-eighths pole when Stop Action (Kevin Cummings) entered the picture and drew alongside Flying Finn N to match strides to three-quarters and around the final bend. At the top of the stretch Stop Action stalled, but the tripping Art Scene found the passing lane while Just Plain Loco (Dave McNeight III) swung wide for the drive. But try as they might, neither would get closer than a length to Flying Finn N who was confidently ridden-out by Cummings to claim a one-length victory in a seasonal mark of 1:53.3. 

It was the sixth win of the year for Flying Finn N ($7.90) who is owned by William Emmons and trained by Jim Clouser Jr. 

Cummings and Clouser doubled up after they also won with Jeremes General (1:57, $2.60) three races later. 

In the $13,000 upper-condition co-feature, American Trademark (Keith Kash) got a perfect pocket trip behind Thor De Vie (Jim Morrill Jr.) before shaking loose in the lane to claim a 1-¼ length win in 1:54.2. It was the seventh win of the year for American Trademark ($4.50) who is owned by L’Emmur Stable. Kash also trains the winner. 

Kash joined the double club by adding Breakout Session (1:54.1, $6.50) to his win tally Saturday. 

The Batavia meet's leading driver, Kevin Cummings, was also the leading driver of the night as he scored a hat trick during the proceedings. And with his two wins, Jim Rothfuss joined Clouser as co-leading conditioner for Saturday. 

There is a substantial carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 wager at Batavia Downs and when live racing resumes at the track on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 5), that pool will start with $2,265 in race 11. Labor Day features the annual driver’s bike race and giveaway and $1 hot dogs, draft beer and soda from noon to 5 p.m. at the Homestretch Grill. Post time for the first race is at 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

The New York Sire Stakes visited Batavia Downs for the final time this year on Wednesday (Aug. 31) with a dozen 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings competing for the remaining spots in the finals to be held during the Day of Champions at Tioga Downs on Saturday (Sept. 10). 

In the first $52,500 division, Cecil Hanover (Chapter Seven-Columbia) looked sharp getting his first lifetime and NYSS win.

Cecil Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) left and led the field to the quarter where Met Your Request (Andy Miller) assumed the top position as the clock read :29. Positions remained unchanged to the half when Svanstedt tipped Cecil Hanover and regained control of the race past the five-eighths. At that point Met Your Request and Tillio's Action (Mile Merton) both made breaks and Cecil Hanover was on top by 4-½ lengths going by three-quarters in 1:29. Coming off the far turn the race was over as Cecil Hanover trotted home on his own and won easily by 4-¾ lengths in a lifetime mark of 1:58.2.

Cecil Hanover ($6.80) is owned by S R F Stable, Midnight Sun Partners, Ake Svanstedt and Jorgen Sparredal. Svanstedt also trains the colt that was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms.

The second $53,500 leg went to Onion Gum (Chapter Seven-Princessa) who also scored his first NYSS win as well. 

Jax Spratt (Kevin Cummings) took command and went :28.4 and 1:00 to the half as Sevecheetah (Trond Smedshammer) and The Strawboss (Jim Morrill Jr.) followed close behind. The first to pull was Onion Gum (Jordan Stratton) who moved from fourth and was quickly second and only one length off by three-quarters. It was a real race around the last turn and when they hit the straight three horses had a shot. Jax Spratt was still on top but Onion Gum was wearing him down. Sevecheetah then found room at the pylons and was barreling towards the wire. But Onion Gum chewed up the most ground to the line and won by one length in 1:59.4. 

Onion Gum ($4.20) is owned by S R F Stable (who was also part owner of Cecil Hanover), Order By Stable (who bred the colt) and Mario Mazza. Lucas Wallin trains Onion Gum. 

Jordan Stratton continued his driving dominance at Batavia Downs on Wednesday after winning another four races on the card. Beside his victory with the aforementioned Onion Gum, Stratton also scored with How About Murph (1:56.2, $7.40), Dashintothebeach N (1:54.1, $5.00) and the aptly named Grand Slam Hero (2:02.2, $16.00).  Stratton was in town last Friday (Aug. 26) and registered a hat trick during the night, giving him a total of seven wins in his last 15 drives in Genesee County. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 3) with post time at 6 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

Batavia Downs leading driver Kevin Cummings continued his torrid pace on Sunday (Aug. 28) after his Grand Slam performance at the track on Saturday night. Cummings drove six more winners of the 12 races held, giving him a total of 11 wins in the last 22 races in which he drove. 

Cummings biggest win of the day came with Jumpininthejailhouse, who won the co-featured $14,000 Open II trot in fairly easy fashion. 

Jumpininthejailhouse went right to the front and reached the quarter in :28.4 as All About Thechase (Mike Caprio) and Batting Stats (Keith Kash Jr.) followed closely behind. With positions unchanged from that point, Jumpininthejailhouse then went :59.2 to the half and 1:28.3 to three-quarters and extended his lead to 2-½ length coming off the last turn. The race was over at the point as Cummings had Jumpininthejailhouse wrapped up by 2-¼ lengths in 1:57.4, which tied his season’s best clocking. 

Jumpininthejailhouse ($4.20) is owned by Mike Torcello and was trainer Sammy Smith’s second win of the afternoon. 

Cummings completed his six pack with wins behind Faithful Desire (1:55.2, $2.90), Anurka (1:57, $6.10), Bacardi (1:57, $3.90), Parkhill Horton (1:58, $6.30) and Way To Go Fabio (1:55.3, $6.30).

So far this meet, Kevin Cummings has 45 wins in only 156 starts and sits ahead of Jim Morrill Jr. (39) in the top spot for dash supremacy.   

The one race Cummings didn’t win was the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot, where Saratoga regular Oh So Pine shipped in off a disappointing start at Plainridge Park and got back on track in a gate-to-wire win. 

Larry Stalbaum flew off the wings with Oh So Pine and opened up a three-length lead at the :29.2 quarter. With Lunar Credit (Jim McNeight III) snug in the pocket, Oh So Pine continued to set a steady tempo to the half in :59.2 and three-quarters in 1:28.3. At the top of the stretch Lunar Credit and Sanchez Rocks (Drew Monti) were both within a length of the leader as they were trotting to the wire, but Oh So Pine was the toughest of them all and won by one-half length in 1:57.4. 

The Stalbaum-owned and trained Oh So Pine ($6.20) got his third win of the year and raised his cash total to $64,199 in 2022. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 31) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $1,502 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 in race 12. 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

Surfer Beach took a while to get the lead but when he did he finished the job this week, winning the $15,000 Winners-Over I Handicap at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Aug. 27).

Last week's feature winner Stratosphere (Drew Monti) was first to the front and held that position until the :27.3 quarter when Surfer Beach (Jim Morrill Jr.) went to the head of the class. With little resistance over the next half mile, Surfer Beach hit the half in :56.2 and three-quarters in 1:24.4, where a luke-warn outside challenge from Blue Spanx (Keith Kash Jr.) failed. As the pacers turned for home, Stratosphere popped the pocket and tried to catch Surfer Beach like he did just one week ago, but Surfer Beach had more in reserve this week and paced home in :27.4 to win by 2-¼ lengths in 1:52.3.

It was the second win in the last three starts and fourth overall this year for Surfer Beach ($3.20) who is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing. Maria Rice trains the winner. 

Morrill ended the day with three wins and Rice scored two of her own. 

Then in the $14,000 Winners-Over II Handicap, Out On Bail tripped out to his seventh win of the year. 

For horses left but Out On Bail (Jim McNieght III) was first to the front, until Daylight Rush (Dave McNieght III) decided to vacate the pocket in lieu of the lead at the quarter. The race then proceeded to the half in :57.4 when Long Train Running (Drew Monti) came first up and pacing towards Daylight Rush. Positions remained unchanged as they moved to three-quarters where Long Train Running started to fade which gave Out On Bail the room he needed to tip into the stretch. McNeight did pull Out On Bail at the head of the lane, passed Daylight Rush shortly after and then held off all late challenges to win by 1-¼ length in 1:54.3. 

Out On Bail is owned by Mike Torcello and is trained by Sammy Smith, who had two winners on Saturday.  

Kevin Cummings had a big night scoring a driving grand slam that included a natural hat trick in races three, four and five. He won with China Dream (1:56, $6.70), Best Brew (1:58.1, $21.00), Gallery Opening (1:56.4, $18.40) and Beachboydesire (1:55.3, $51.00). 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 28) at 1:15 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $1,270 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 in race 12. 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

American Dealer N scored a 2-½ length victory and set a new all-time track record of 1:50.2 in the 17th edition of the $75,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Invitational Pace at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Aug. 26).

American Courage (Matt Kakaley) fired off the wings and took a quick lead while American Dealer N (Joe Bongiorno) also left and tucked into the garden spot. After getting to the quarter in :27.1 and the half in :55.3, Gia's Surreal (Brian Sears) was first to pull and try to approach the leader. But American Courage was not slowing down after the :27.3 third quarter and he and American Dealer N were starting to separate from the field. As they came off the turn and headed down the lane, American Dealer N ducked into the passing lane and accelerated like a jet by American Courage in deep stretch and won in 1:50.2 to set the new track standard. 

It was the sixth win of the year for the Australian import American Dealer N ($26.80) who is owned by Enviro Stables and Ken Jacobs. 

This was the second Kane win for Jacobs and Toscano who won the 2008 edition with Kenneth J who also set the all time track record then of 1:52 with his effort that day. 

It was also the third win of the night for Joe Bongiorno. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 27) 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.

The New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts, geldings and fillies were held at Batavia Downs on Friday evening (Aug. 26) with a total of $232,700 in purses available for the 17 state-bred participants. There were two divisions for fillies and a lone male division that had a purse of $119,800 and that was a heavyweight fight. 

Slay (Chapter Seven-Swinging Royalty) got a perfect trip from driver Joe Bongiorno and ran down Molotov Cocktail in deep stretch to claim a narrow victory.

World At War Deo (Wally Hennessy) took over the lead from Chapheart (Trond Smedshammer) at the :28 quarter and got a short breather to the half before the action really picked up. Molotov Cocktail (Brian Sears) was the first to pull and Slay was happy to get his cover as they moved around turn three on the second circuit.  

They headed up the backside in two rows with World At War Deo still in front with Molotov Cocktail right by his side as they motored to three-quarters. Around the last turn, Molotov Cocktail took the lead in the middle of the track and Slay tipped off his cover going three deep, and the pair hooked up from there. The two trotters were at full speed down the stretch, matching strides all the way. Molotov Cocktail and Slay were inseparable under strong urging from their drivers until just before the line where Slay got a neck in front and won in 1:55.4. 

It was the second straight win and fourth of the year for Slay ($4.60) who now has $262,897 made in 2022 for Crawford Farms Racing and James A. Crawford. Tony Alagna trains the colt bred by Jonas Schlabach.

Then there were the girls. 

The first field of four fillies vied for $55,900 and Cash Fusion (Chapter Seven-Swing Anna Cash) delivered as expected. 

Tyler Buter took Cash Fusion off the gate while In A Tiny Way (Jordan Stratton) settled in the lead. But that last only an eighth of a mile before Buter rushed the front and took command. The group remained single-file until the five-eighths when La Vie En Blanc (Joe Bongiorno) pulled first up and leveled off in second outside of In A Tiny Way. Around the last turn Cash Infusion started to swell up and opened up 1-½ lengths by the top of the stretch. Down the lane Buter sat chilly as Cash Infusion coasted home on top by 2-¼ lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:55.3. 

It was the third win of the year for Cash Infusion ($4.40) who has now earned $132,723 this year for owners  William Donovan, Purnell & Libby, Joe Sbrocco and the George Ducharme Stable. George Ducharme also trains the winner that was bred by Jonas Schlabach. 

The second group of five lined up for $57,000 Valentina Blu (Chapter Seven-Corazon Blue Chip) was very strong in victory. 

Seven On The Rocks (John Stark Jr.) went quickly for the lead but the spot was short-lived as Joe Bongiorno took over with Valentina Blu before the quarter that went :29.1. There were no changes in order until the backstretch when Je Suis Si Belle (Andy Miller) charged the leader with She's A Scorcher (Jordan Stratton) following close behind. The top four trotted in two rows around the last turn with only three lengths between them until they straightened out. In the stretch, Valentina Blu dug in under a drive and opened up by 1-½ lengths at the light and won in 1:56.1.

It was the second win in a row and third of the year for Valentina Blu and pushed her 2022 earnings to $122,125. Crawford Farms owns the Tony Alagna trained filly that was bred by Spring Haven Farm and Doug Millard. Due to multiple stable entries, Valentina Blu raced for purse only. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 27) 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