The Notre Dame Girls Soccer Team will play for a sectional title tomorrow night for the first time in program history.
Last night, the Fighting Irish beat Andover 3-0. Sky Colontonio, Emma Sisson, and Arabella Rogers each scored goals. Goalkeeper Rebecka Nickerson had seven saves.
The team plays Jasper-Troupsburg at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Van Detta Stadium in Batavia.
Photo and info provided by Jarrod Clark.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
With no winner in the Pick-5 wager at Batavia Downs last Saturday (Nov. 14), the track will feature an $1,157 carry over and a guaranteed $5,000 pool in the Pick-5 wager today (Nov. 18).
The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages are now available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs and USTA websites or by clicking here.
The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager and if all five winners aren’t selected, any carryover pool will be moved to the Pick-5 wager on Saturday (Nov. 21) program.
Post time for the first race today is 5 p.m.
In a battle of former Golden Gophers, Mickey Hyde of Le Roy defeated Mark Brown of Attica, 279-213, on Sunday to capture the 13th annual Triple O Mechanical Handicap Singles Tournament at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.
Hyde rolled 269 scratch (he received 10 pins handicap) to cap a high-scoring day and claim the $500 first prize.
It is the second local singles tourney victory for Hyde in a year for the Bank of Castile Le Roy branch manager, who placed first in the Genesee Region USBC Senior Masters last November at Mount Morris Lanes -- using his favorite ball, the Roto-Grip Uproar in both competitions.
Hyde averaged 239 scratch for his seven games – three in the qualifying round and four in the eliminator-style finals, where two of the four bowlers on each pair of lanes advance to the next round.
Brown, who rolled 202 scratch in the title game (11 pins handicap), pocketed $250 for placing second in the event, which drew 58 entries.
Both Hyde (1984) and Brown (1987) are graduates of Pavilion High School and are longtime friends.
They reached the title match by defeating a pair of 18-year-olds, Dennis Van Duser of Perry and Kyle Johnson of Batavia, in the semifinals.
With handicap, Brown rolled 246, Hyde 242, Van Duser 228 and Johnson 212.
Van Duser and Johnson each won $110.
Quarterfinalists, winning $55 apiece, were Peter Pilaroscia and Scott Dingman of Rochester, and Jerry Menzie Jr. and Rob Husted of Bergen. Husted rolled 234 in the second round, falling three pins short of overtaking Hyde for the second spot behind Johnson’s 262.
Other cashers ($40) were Frank Jarkiewicz of Byron, Mike Johnson of Batavia, Brian Weber of Perry, Jillian Menzie and Harris Busmire of Bergen, Chris Mathis and Marcus Germonto of Rochester, and Mark Mack of Le Roy.
Busmire (297) and Jarkiewicz (290) had the high games in the USBC-certified tournament.
In other tournament action:
They were followed by Sticks 'N' Stones (Alishia Foss, Corey Winters and Bailey Hudson), $330, and El Leach (Derek Leach, Devon Leach, Josh Elliott), $275.
The top eight teams cashed in the event, which raised close to $2,000 for the PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion.
Carole Flicker of Lakeville was second at 661, winning $100. Other cashers were Dawn Bertrand, Wyoming, 656, $80; Bonnie Wass, Warsaw, 628, $50, and Joanne Reed, Livonia, 596, $30.
In Class A (70-74), Bernie Hotchkiss of Mount Morris placed first with 607, good for $85.
In Class B (65-59), Betsy Flint of Portageville was first with 596 ($85).
In Class C (60-64), Marian Gerhardy of Albion was first with 634 ($85), followed by Dawn Luckenbach of Caledonia, 626 ($57).
In Class D (55-59), Penny Brown led the way with 633, winning $85, and Lisa Granger of Silver Springs was second with 584 ($57).
In Class E (50-54), Diane Hurlburt placed first with 584 $60).
Thirty-four GRUSBC members competed. The GRUSBC contributed $200 to the tournament.
Photo: Tom Sardou, proprietor of Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen; Mickey Hyde, Mark Brown. Photo by Mike Pettinella.
Alex Morris of Batavia came within a pin of his first United States Bowling Congress-certified perfect game last week in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.
The 31-year-old right-hander strung 11 strikes before coming up high on the final ball -- leaving a 3-pin -- for a 299 game. It is the second 299 for Morris, who will receive an award from the Genesee Region USBC. He finished with a 691 series.
High series for the week included Scott Gibson of Oakfield, 750 in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen; Curtis Foss, 749 in the Sneezy's League, and Jim Pursel, 741 in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 5-Man at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.
For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
Photo: Percy’s Z Tam with driver Jim Morrill Jr.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Percy’s Z Tam fought off a pair of challenges in the mile en route to winning the $8,500 Open I Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 14).
When the gate released race, no one left and they headed around the first turn in post position order. Seeing the opportunity, Jim Morrill Jr. tipped Percy’s Z Tam from third and took the front by the quarter in :28 and from there, he controlled the remainder of the contest. After coasting to the half at his own pace, the competition then headed his way as Tullow N (Ray FIsher Jr.) and Stratosphere (Drew Monti) came in the outer flow in the third turn in pursuit of the leader.
Heading toward three-quarters, Percy’s Z Tam turned back the outside threat but Long Train Runnin (Shawn McDonough) who was tripping out to this point, was poised to take his best shot. That came at the top of the stretch where McDonough pulled Long Train Runnin and started to drive hard. He made up ground all the way to the wire but he could not get by Percy’s Z Tam, who hung on by a neck to win in 1:54.1.
It was the seventh victory of the year for Percy’s Z Tam ($6.50) and it pushed his earnings to $59,235 for owner Mike Torcello. Gerry Sarama trains the winner.
In the $7,500 Open II pace, Thor De Vie (Dave McNeight III) grabbed the lead at the quarter, turned back a strong third quarter challenge from Barry Hanover (Kyle Cummings) and then out-paced the pocket sitting McSpidey (Jim Morrill Jr.) down the lane to capture his sixth win of the year in 1:55.2.
Thor De Vie ($3.10) is owned by his trainer Jim Graham along with Lee Winters, Paul Tandlmayer and Giuseppe Micchia.
Dave McNeight III had three other winners on the card giving him the driving Grand Slam. Besides Thor De Vie, he also won with Myell’s Rockstar (1:55.3, $10.20), Falcon’s Luke (1:59.3, $12.00) and Charmbo Orbit (1:55.4, $41.20).
Another winning combination was driver Jim Morrill Jr., trainer Gerry Sarama and owner Mike Torcello who sent three winners to post Saturday night.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 18) with post time at 5 p.m. And since there was no Pick-5 winner on Saturday, there is a carry over of $1,157 and a guaranteed pool of $5,000 for the Pick-5 on Wednesday.
The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages for races one through five will be available on the USTA and Batavia Downs websites early next week.
Enough players showed up at Williams Park in Batavia this afternoon for an eight-team informal flag football tournament.
Bryn Luckey became Le Roy's all-time leading scorer in girls soccer last Saturday and she was honored last night at home before the Knights' quarterfinal sectional game against Waterloo in Class B2.
Luckey's road to 80:
Le Roy beat Waterloo 5-0 to advance to the semifinals.
Photo and information submitted by Tim McArdle.
Last evening at Van Detta Stadium the Batavia Girls Varsity Soccer Team defeated Midlakes in a thriller three-hour Section V class B1 quarter final game by a score of 2-1 in two shootouts.
Batavia jumped to an early 1-0 lead eight minutes before halftime on a tip in goal by Olivia Halpin. In the second half, 13 minutes later Midlakes score off a corner kick tip in by Batavia's goal keeper to even the score at 1.
Both teams were evenly matched and shots ending the regular play was 11-10 in Batavia's favor. Batavia's Ava Reinhart had a chance in the second overtime to win the game with a miss in the top right corner crossbar.
In the third overtime Batavia's next best chance was on a pass from Olivia Halpin to Piper Harloff that just missed in front of Midlakes' goalkeeper. After the fourth overtime, the game went unchanged to a fifth overtime shootout. Both teams scored three goals and missed two.
Then a final sixth overtime decided in a single round robin play. Isabella Walsh scored for Batavia and goal keeper Maddie Barone stopped Midlakes on her attempt to end the game by a 2-1 win to advance Batavia to the class B1 semifinals versus eight seed Greece Olympia this upcoming Monday evening.
Greece Olympia won by forfeit to undefeated number one seed Pal-Mac because of their school is shutdown due to COVID-19.
To view or purchase photos, click here.
Photos by Steve Ognibene.
Photo: Protect Blue Chip with driver Billy Davis Jr.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
The Wednesday evening (Nov. 11) racing menu at Batavia Downs featured a pair of $8,500 Open I handicap events that produced definitive winners on both the pace and the trot and also saw the meet's second winningest driver, Billy Davis Jr., win five races on the card.
In the handicap pace for fillies and mares, Protect Blue Chip (Billy Davis Jr.) took the lead and was pushed through blistering early fractions of :27 and :55.4 by Tellawoman (Dave McNeight III). But the feverish tempo to the half only gave way to a fantastic finish by Protect Blue Chip, who kicked away by three lengths around the last turn and stretched that out to five at the wire where she won handily in 1:55.3.
It was the fifth win of the year for Protect Blue chip ($4.10) who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Team rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock and is trained by Maria Rice.
(Above, Il Mago with driver Jim Morrill Jr.)
Later in the handicap trot, Il Mago (Jim Morrill Jr.) bolted to a 3-1/2 length advantage at the quarter, extended that to five open at the half and stretched it out to six at the head of the stretch. From there he closed out the mile on top by three in 1:57.
For Il Mago ($7.70) it was the seventh win of the year and 53rd lifetime and the winner’s share of the purse pushed his career earnings in excess of $891,000. Mike Torcello owns the Gerry Sarama trained son of Kadabra-Northern Style.
Billy Davis Jr. had a monster night, winning five races on the card including a natural Hat Trick in races one through three. Besides the already mentioned Protect Blue Chip, Davis scored with Hey Sweetie (1:56.3, $14), Babylon’s Bridge (1:59.4, $4), Aunt Betty (1:58.3, $7.30) and Kredit Karma (2:00.2, $12.80).
Three of Davis’s winners were trained by Maria Rice and she led all conditioners on Wednesday as a result.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 14) with post time at 5 p.m.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Batavia Downs will feature a guaranteed $3,000 pool in the Pick-5 wager on today (Nov. 11).
The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages are now available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs and USTA websites or by clicking here. (https://www.trackmaster.com/freeContent/usta/freeContentFiles/hpl/btv1111x.pdf)
The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager and if all five winners aren’t selected, any carryover pool will be moved to the Pick-5 wager on Saturday (Nov. 14) program.
Post time for today's first race is 5 p.m.
Press release:
“The Batavia Muckdogs Baseball Club will be issuing refund checks to purchasers of 2020 game tickets at the Dwyer Stadium office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14.
"To expedite the refund process, please bring a government-issued identification and proof of purchase (e.g., receipt, cancelled check, or credit card statement).”
Ben J. Hayes, President
BATAVIA MUCKDOGS INC.
Press Release:
A pair of 298 games and a 788 series highlighted Genesee Region USBC league bowling action this past week at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.
In the Antique World Tuesday Coed League, 22-year-old right-hander James Townsend continued his stellar bowling this season with 246-276-266 for 788 on lanes 17-18.
The Walmart automotive employee rolled nine strikes in game one, 10 in game two (including the first nine in a row) and the first eight strikes in game three. He needed two strikes in the 10th frame for an 800 series but fell short, getting nine spare and eight on his final ball.
Steve Krna of Alexander flirted with perfection, rolling the first 11 strikes before leaving two pins on his final ball for 298. He finished with a 703 series.
In the Toyota of Batavia Thursday League, Devon Leach posted 11 in a row before leaving the 4-9 split for a 298. He finished with a 686 series.
In the Mancuso Real Estate Monday Night League, Jeremy Vallance led the way with 753.
At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Warsaw lefty Kevin Gray Jr. made it three straight 700 sets with 266--750 in the Thursday Owls League, while Rodney Jopson stayed in the groove with 256--725 in the Wednesday Night Handicap League.
For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the page.
Photo: Mr. Euroman N with driver Billy Davis Jr.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Fresh off a late closing victory in the top pace at Batavia Downs last week, Mr. Euroman N found himself right back in the winner’s circle once again after capturing the $8,500 Open I Handicap pace at the Downs on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 7).
Mr. Euroman N (Billy Davis Jr.) got away fourth as Tullow N (Ray Fisher Jr.) took the lead by the quarter and then paced smartly to the half in :57. At that point Davis had Mr. Euroman N out and moving first-over into the third turn and drew alongside Tullow N by the three-quarters. Davis and Fisher then commenced rocking and knocking around the far turn with Mr. Euroman N getting an advantage heading down the lane that he would keep all the way to the line where he won by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.3.
It was the third Open I win in the last four stars for Mr. Euroman N ($4.80) and owners Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice trains the winner.
(Above, Stratosphere with driver Drew Monti.)
The $7,500 Open II pace went to Stratosphere (Drew Monti) who dropped down from Open I company this week and led throughout the entire mile before holding off the tripped-out Percy’s Z Tam (Jim Morrill Jr.) at the light to win by a neck in 1:54.1. It was the sixth win of the year for Stratosphere ($5.80) who is owned by his driver and trained by Darrin Monti.
Billy Davis Jr., Drew Monti and Jim Morrill Jr. all had three driving wins on Saturday while trainers Darrin Monti, Jerry Nugent Jr., Gerry Sarama and Lee Dahn all had two wins apiece.
When racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 11) there will be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager that day.
The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages will be available courtesy of Trackmaster on both the USTA and Batavia Downs website early next week.
Post time for Wednesday is set at 5 p.m.
Photo of Lougazi with driver Ray Fisher Jr.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
One came from behind and one led all the way, but both were the best in their class at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (Nov. 4).
The $8,500 Open I Handicap trot was won by Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) who got away a gapped fifth while Daylon Phantom (Dan Yetman) took an unchallenged lead to the half in :58.2. There, Before I Die (Jim McNeight Jr.) pulled first over with an advancing Lougazi on his tail.
Positions remained the same up the backside and around the far turn until Lougazi tipped three-deep at the top of the stretch and the pocket-sitting Majestic Kat (Billy Davis Jr.) found room inside and shot through. Four pylons from the wire, Lougazi and Majestic Kat passed Daylon Phantom and then hit the line together in 1:58.4. After the photo, Lougazi got the nod and came back for his picture.
It was the fourth win of the year for Lougazi ($8.10) who made his first start in almost a month for owner Mary Warriner. Ryan Swift is the trainer.
(Photo of Tellawoman with driver Jim Morrill Jr.)
Then in the Open II pace for fillies and mares, Tellawoman (Jim Morrill Jr.) led every step of the mile, tripping the timers in :28.4, :58 and 1:26.3 before turning for home and hitting the line on top by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:55.4. It was the third straight win and fourth out of the last five for Tellawoman ($3.10) who is owned by Rose Campbell and trained by Russell Bratt.
Ray Fisher Jr. led all drivers on Wednesday as he registered a hat trick. Also Jim Morrill Jr., Billy Davis Jr. and Drew Monti, who are currently the top three dash drivers of the meet in that order, all had two wins.
On the conditioning side, 12 different trainers accounted for the night’s 12 winners.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 7) with post time at 1:15 p .m. The early start is due to the Breeders Cup races.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Batavia Downs will feature a guaranteed $3,000 pool in the Pick-5 wager today (Nov. 4).
The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages are now available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs and USTA websites or by clicking here.
The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager and if all five winners aren’t selected, any carryover pool will be moved to the Pick-5 wager on Saturday (Nov. 7) program.
Post time for today's first race is 5 p.m.
Last evening at Van Detta stadium the red hot Batavia Blue Devils boys soccer team hosted the Akron Tigers in a tight matched game to settle on a 1-1 tie in double overtime.
Junior Nick Grover scored for Batavia seven minutes in the first half to lead the Devils by 1. Akron ties the score three minutes later from a corner kick tip in by senior Adam Mietz in front of Batavias keeper.
In a seesaw effort Batavia controlled the game by outshooting Akron 14-5 in the game. Early in the second overtime Batavia’s Collin Dunn just missed to end it for the Devils. Both teams settled for the tie in the game and their records are both 6-3-1.
Batavia’s last regular season game is away this Saturday at Greece Odyssey Academy in Rochester.
Photos by Steve Ognibene.
To view and or purchase prints, click here.
Press release:
Genesee Region USBC league bowlers produced one honor score and several near misses to close out the month of October.
A pair of Rochester residents led the way as Joshua Cummings posted a 300 game in the American Legion Thursday Men’s League at Le Roy Legion Lanes and Robert Manners registered a 299 and 786 series in the Wednesday Men’s Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.
Cummings, a 45-year-old right-hander, opened with perfection on lanes 1-2, catching a couple crossover strikes early before hitting the 1-3 pocket the rest of the way.
The 300 is his second (the first came at Dewey Garden Lanes in Rochester) to go with a 299 rolled in 1999 and an 812 series in 2009, both at Sunset Lanes in Rochester.
He said he used a Storm Match Up ball purchased last year specifically for Legion Lanes.
“I got the ball from Chris Lamb at Lightning Strikes (pro shop) just for Le Roy because I needed something to go long,” said Cummings, an employee of Panther Graphics in Rochester. “He polished it up and it has been working pretty well.”
Cummings lost his carry after game one, however, and finished with a 642 series. He averaged 195 in Le Roy last season and 215 at Sunset Lanes.
At Rose Garden Bowl, Manners, a 47-year-old righty, had the line from the start and kept in all night, rolling 299-267-220--786 in a substitute role.
Elsewhere around the region:
-- Veteran Batavia bowler Mike Pettinella stayed hot in the Turnbull Heating Tuesday Triples League at Mancuso Bowling Center, recording 268-247-259—774. The big series followed a 744 set the previous week.
-- Warsaw lefty Kevin Gray Jr. notched a 298 game and 739 series to take top honors in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl, edging his father, Kevin Sr., who rolled 279—733. Gray Jr. had a 798 series the week before.
-- Jeremy Vallance of Warsaw registered 269-237-244—750 to lead the Mancuso Real Estate Monday Doubles League at Mancuso’s, while Matt Balduf of South Byron put up the same score with 267-246-237—750 in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 5-Man at Mancuso’s. Geoff Harloff of Batavia was next with 236-259-253—748.
-- At Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, Bill Logan of Albion had games of 267, 257 and 223 in a 747 series in the Sneezy’s Monday Night League.
For a list of high scores through Oct. 31, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.
Photo: Mr. Euroman N takes the lead with reinsman Billy Davis Jr.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Dave McNeight III, AKA “Triple Sticks,” has been on a tear of late at Batavia Downs and he stayed scary-good on Saturday (Oct. 31) as he won five races on the matinee card.
He scored with Thor De Vie (1:54, $3.20), Barry Hanover (1:55, $10.40), Daylight Rush (1:55.2, $3.80), This Baby Rocks (1:57.3, $41.20) and In Runaway Bay N (1:56.1, $4.10).
McNeight currently sits in fourth place in the driving race but has been gaining a lot of ground lately. In the last six cards of racing McNeight has won 16 races.
The top race of the day was the $8,500 Open I Handicap pace and after not seeing the starting gate for 21 days, Mr. Euroman N made his return to action a triumphant one after a late stretch rush to grab the feature win.
Mr. Euroman N (Billy Davis Jr.) got away sixth while Percy’s Z Tam (Jim Morrill Jr.) barked the orders on the front end wIth horses in single file behind. They hit the quarter in :27,3 and the half in a slow :58.1. Heading up the backside, Mr. Euroman N was still sixth while only McSpidey (Denny Bucceri) pulled to make a bid.
Around the last turn McSpidey faded and Percy’s Z Tam looked a likely winner. But when they straightened for home, Stratosphere (Drew Monti) found room up the pylons, Tullow N (Shawn McDonough) tipped outside and Mr. Euroman N shook loose from mid-pack and went four-wide and when the four horses hit the wire, Mr. Euroman N was the best by a nose in 1:55.2.
It was the fifth win of the year for Mr. Euroman N ($15.00) who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice trains the winner.
BIlly Davis Jr., who currently sits second in the driver standings, also had a big day in the bike after he registered a grand slam on the card. Aside from winning the feature, his four scores were capped with a victory by the venerable 13-year-old pacer Expensive Toy (Camotion-Costly Toy) who went gate to wire in 1:58 to capture the 50th win of his long career. After having made 290 career starts, Expensive Toy has 50 wins, 52 seconds and 46 thirds with earnings of $468,848. Expensive Toy is owned and trained by Sabrina Shaw.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 4) at 5 p.m. There will be another guaranteed Pick-5 pool of $3,000 on Wednesday and it will again be part of the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program with free program pages available on both USTA and Batavia Downs websites starting early next week.
Press release:
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) announces that it will also adopt the newly added New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) veteran and active military waterfowl hunt on Saturday, Nov. 14.
This hunt will operate similar to the regular season waterfowl hunt in that individual hunting stands will be decided at 5 a.m. on the morning of the hunt through a random drawing.
The draw will be held at the Refuge Shop at 1101 Casey Road, Basom to ensure the safety of staff and the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mapping applications may try to take you to Sour Springs Road, so ensure it is directing you to the Iroquois NWR Admin Building at the above address.
This is a free hunt for veteran and active military personnel.
State regulations apply including required documentation, which can be found on the DEC website. Refuge specific regulations also apply. Please visit the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge website for more information.
Second Session of Waterfowl Hunting Season
Iroquois NWR will also be open for the second session of the waterfowl hunting season beginning on Nov. 28. Permits will be available online for all blinds on a first come, first serve basis.
Permits will be made available two days prior to the hunt day at 6 p.m. and close at 5 a.m. the morning of the hunt. You will receive your permit for your blind immediately via RecAccess. Since you will select your blind at check out, there will be no morning blind draw.
All other rules and regulations apply.
For further information please see visit the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge website or contact Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge by email at Iroquois@fws.gov or Visitor Services Specialist Eric Schaertl at (585) 948-5445, ext. 7036.
Iroquois NWR is located midway between Buffalo and Rochester and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Photo: Tellawoman with driver Jim Morrill Jr.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
On a damp Wednesday evening (Oct. 28) at Batavia Downs, a pair of $8,500 Opens produced runaway winners while the meet’s third winningest driver inched closer toward the leaders.
The night opened up with the fillies and mares Open I Handicap where Tellawoman (Jim Morrill Jr.) left with the gate and led at every point of the mile. After escorting the short field of five to the half in :58, Morrill stepped on the gas and Tellawoman sped away in a :28.1 third panel, stretching out to a 3-1/2 length lead at the point. As they rounded the last turn Tellawoman kept on going and kicked-away to a 5-3/4 length advantage at the wire in 1:56.1.
It was the third win in the last four starts for Tellawoman ($8.00) who is owned by Rose Campbell and trained by Russell Bratt.
Later in the program, Morrill also won the co-featured Open I Handicap trot with Il Mago (Jim Morrill Jr.) who was utterly peerless this night. Il Mago left and established a six length lead at the quarter in :27.2. He extended that to 12 lengths at the half in :56 and 15-lengths by three-quarters in 1:25.2. Morrill had Il Mago wrapped up at that point and he just sauntered across the wire by 6-3/4 lengths in 1:57.4.
It was the sixth win of the year for Il Mago ($4.20) and owner Mike Torcello. Gerry Sarama trains the venerable 11-year-old who has now won 52 races lifetime.
Driver Drew Monti won five races on the card including a natural hat trick in races five through seven. Monti scored with Lucky Guess (2:01.2, $5), Keystone Keen (1:57.2, $4.70), Barn Beast (1:59, $11), Mean Pauline (1:58.1, $5.40) and Carly Girl (1:57, $5). Monti currently has 57 wins and sits in third place behind the leading Jim Morrill Jr. who has 70 wins and Billy Davis Jr. who is second with 61 wins after tonight.
Kevin Cummings led all trainers on Wednesday winning three races during the proceedings.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 31) with a special Halloween matinee post time of 1:15 p.m.
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