Sports
I went Back to the Track!
Press Release:
by Tim Bojarski
I probably would have been there anyhow, but I marked yesterday (8-14) on my calendar a long time ago to make sure I would be at my local oval to see the effects a concerted effort of promoting our sport could produce. I was impressed.
My local oval happens to be Batavia Downs, the oldest lighted harness track in America and an establishment I have been attending since my youth. I lived the highs and lows of the business there and was in attendance when 9,915 people saw Niatross set a world record in 1980. That was the largest crowd I have ever experienced first hand there. Saturday night did not eclipse that live count, but I’ll tell you what, they didn’t do too badly.
I figured there was a lot of people who haven’t attended in some time because it was a late arriving crowd. The Downs earlier post time is now 6:40, but the bulk of the crowd started showing up around 7:00. That would make sense because the old post was 7:30.
I got there a little bit late myself and found the parking lot to be just about full. I actually had to park in the back corner that backs up to an Office Max. That’s a pretty long walk.
So they came, and came, and came, and by the 3rd race they were holding up post times so people wouldn’t get shut out. I was walking around the property and there were people everywhere. The clubhouse was full. The downstairs grandstand was full. The apron along the fence was full. There were lines at all the concession stands. There were lines at all the mutual windows. It was a really heartening sight because it seemed like the good old days.
I spoke to Todd Haight, Batavia Downs Public Relations and Promotions Specialist and he told me: “We had our best handle since 2007 last Saturday and I knew it was going to be tough to follow that up for a second week in a row. But I think we have a heck of a shot to do it. Look at this place; we’re packed! We ran out of programs and had to print more on site to make sure everyone who wanted one, got one”
The USTA’s own Jennifer Daniels was on hand to facilitate the Little Brown Jug trip drawing and told me she was impressed with the turn out. Jennifer was originally from Batavia before relocating to Columbus and is quite familiar with the venue. And she made an instant friend when she pulled the winning entry as the gentleman who won showed up within seconds.
After the presentation was complete, I spoke with him and found out that he used to work for Paul Chambers and Clint Galbraith over 26 years ago when he was 18. He used to travel with their stake horses to various tracks. But since he always took care of trotters he never got to Delaware, Ohio to see the Jug. Now he had his chance. Although he had been out of the business for some time now, he told me he came back tonight to reminisce and possibly run into old acquaintances, because of this promotion.
The track was a sea of “Back to the Track” baseball caps--everyone had one on. They also all had their commemorative “Back to the Track” cups filled with their favorite refreshments.
And the product on the track was outstanding too. The crowd was treated to competitive racing, fantastic finishes at the wire, and decent payouts all night long.
I talked to folks at the rail throughout the night to get some feedback from them and found that there were many different reasons they all came. But the bottom line was, they all showed up and that was the goal. On my way out I saw track General Manager Mike Kane down by the fence mingling with his customers. He looked like a very happy man.
If what I saw at this one track was replicated at all the participating outlets, I would have to say this was a rousing success. The best we can hope for moving forward is to pursue the interest that was kindled this weekend and do what it takes to make the fans we saw show up become regular customers all year.
Back to Back Preferred Wins for Two Twentytwo at Batavia
Press Release:
Batavia, NY --- The comeback Kid, Two Twentytwo made it look easy when he notched his second straight $9,000 Preferred Handicap victory, Saturday night (Aug-14), ‘Back to the Track night’, at Batavia Downs Casino.
The truth is it was anything but easy. Firing out of the starting gate from post three, Two Twentytwo, with Jamie Dunlap in the sulky, paid the price to be the boss taking command at the quarter in a sizzling 26.4. Racing to the half, Two Twentytwo had company, as a parked out Revolutionary Foe with Jack Rice was up to challenge for the lead in 55.1. Track announcer Joe Zambito commented “they have a shot at the track record.”
Past the five-eighths and heading to three-quarters Dunlap was able to seat favored Revolutionary Foe and go on to a powerful 4-1/2 length score in 1:53.2. Former Downs track record holder Michael Scores (Tom Agosti) came on to be second while Cry for Cash (Ken Holliday) got the show dough.
Two Twentytwo, off two years due to an injury, is a chestnut son of Blissful Hall. He is owned by Dominic Colarusso Jr. and trained by Richie Mays. Saturday nights win was the 11th of Two Twentytwo’s career and it raised his lifetime earnings to over $207,000.
Many thanks to everyone that participated in the ‘Back to the Track’ promotion especially Paul Wright and family who brought over a very well behaved Carolina Red to the paddock room for photos and so racing fans could learn more about the sport.
Other popular ‘Back to the Track’ promotions included a drawing for a trip to the 2010 Little Brown Jug won by John Milroy. A baseball Cap giveaway, driver autographs before the races and a special handicapping contest for prizes.
Racing resumes on Monday night. First post is scheduled for 6:40pm. The pick-6 carryover pool for Monday is $2,009.
Kash n Credit gets the Money at Batavia Downs Casino!
Press Release:
BATAVIA, NY – Kash n Credit, with Troy Boring sitting in for Hall of Fame reinsman Clint Galbraith, made every pole a winning one en route to a popular score in the featured $9,000 Preferred trot, Friday night (Aug-13) at Batavia Downs Casino.
Leaving from post five, Kash n Credit, a 4-year-old by Credit Winner, took command from Hello Carlo (Jack Flanigen) at the opening quarter in :29. Once on top Boring was able to give Kash n Credit a :31 second quarter breather. A back half of :59 flat was good enough to hold off the pocket sitting Hello Carlo by a ¼ length in 1:59. St. Regis Hall and Jamie Dunlap were farther back in third.
“He wasn’t as sharp as he was when I won with him a couple weeks ago,” Boring said, “but he was good enough to hold on.”
Owned by Clint and Barbara Galbraith and Arnie Rothschild, Kash n Credit ($4.10) notched his sixth win of the 2010 campaign and raised his lifetime earnings to over $140,000. Galbraith, who continues to recover from injuries suffered in an accident, was in the winners circle.
The co-featured 17,500 claiming trot with a purse of $7,200, went to the front running Welding Spark D ($4.30) with Jack Flanigen. Sent right to the top from the pole, Welding Spark D put up all the numbers to score by a length over Australian Stock (Ray Fisher Jr.) in 1:59 for owner-trainer Ronald Stebbins.
Live Racing will continue tomorrow evening with a 6:40 post time. Be sure to join us when harness racing goes Back to the Track. There will be a chance to win a trip for two to the 2010 Little Brown Jug, a $50,000 must-win national Pick 4, Back to the Track Baseball caps to the first 500 racing fans that swipe there Players Club card beginning at 5:00 at Players Club, Food and Drink specials, a special handicapping contest for prizes other special incentives offered on track. So grab a friend and come Back to the Track. For more information, visit BackToTheTrack.com.
For sale sign hung on Batavia Muckdogs franchise
UPDATED 11:59 a.m.
With recent reports that the Rochester Red Wings are not likely to operate the Batavia Muckdogs for a fourth, reportedly money-losing season, the local owners of the storied franchise announced today they are seeking a buyer for the ball club.
Presumably, the owners, Genesee County Baseball Club, will seek an owner willing to keep the team in Batavia, though that's not yet confirmed.
Club President Brian Paris said ideally, the Genesee County Baseball Club will be able to find a buyer willing to keep the team in Batavia.
"Obviously, that's our first preference," Paris said.
But he's also hopeful that just like the miracle of the Red Wings rescuing the team at the last minute three years ago, perhaps another miracle will keep the team in GCBC hands. What the club needs, he said, is three or four deep-pocket Western New York companies to step forward with sponsorships of $25,000 to $50,000 each.
It happens in other small markets, he said.
"That's a very realistic thought because other teams have those kinds of sponsorships," he said.
Paris said he doesn't blame the community.
"The tragic portion of this, is that we are on brink of losing the team and I think I’ve tried to be very frank with people and the media that this is what could happen if we don’t have a greater amount of support in ticket sales and sponsorship," Paris said. "I love Batavia and this is something we're just going to have to work through one way or another."
One of the team's most valuable assets is its name, Batavia Muckdogs. Little League teams across the nation have licensed the logo and name. It the team moves, it will no longer be the Batavia Muckdogs.
Paris said it's too soon to talk about scenarios involving no buyer being found, or a buyer being found and the team being moved to another city.
"I hate to be Pollyanna, a small town tree hugger, but something good is going to come of this," Paris said. "It’s going to work out. We just don’t know what it is yet."
Full press release after the jump:
BATAVIA, NY—The Genesee County Baseball Club, the not-for-profit organization that owns the Batavia Muckdogs of the New York-Pennsylvania Baseball League, announced today that it is soliciting offers from potential buyers of the team.
For the past three years, Rochester Community Baseball, owner of the Rochester Red Wings, has operated the Muckdogs under an agreement with the GCBC. The Red Wings have informed the GCBC that it is unlikely that the relationship will continue for a fourth year.
“We thank the Red Wings for these last three years, which included the memorable 2008 championship season,” Paris said. “They have indicated that they are probably going to move on, and we respect their decision.”
Paris said that the GCBC will give “strong preference” to potential buyers who pledge to keep the team in Batavia.
“Batavia has had a team in this league since 1939,” said Paris, “and we are very hopeful that we can find a buyer who appreciates the rich history, family atmosphere, great ballpark, and wonderful community spirit of Batavia.”
The NYP League, then called the PONY League, was founded in 1939 at a meeting at the Hotel Richmond in downtown Batavia. Batavia and Jamestown are the only two original PONY League cities that are still in the league.
Late Closers Contested at Batavia
Press release:
Batavia, NY --- The New York Sire Stakes 3-year-old Late Clos Batavia, NY --- The New York Sire Stakes 3-year-old Late Closing filly trotters invaded Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (August 11). The talented trotting fillies raced in three divisions and each had a purse in excess of $13,000.
The photo finish camera was needed for division one. Neverhitthebrakes and Jack Flanigen took a solid three length lead just after the quarter pole and held that margin until Final Time and Jimmy Whittemore began to close in.
Down the lane Neverhitthebrakes was grimly holding on but it was a relentless Final Time who trotted up for a head victory in 2:01.3. Study Hall and Josh Marks finished well back in third in a race marred by four early breakers. The fractions for the field were :30.2, 1:00.2 and 1:30.4.
Final Time (Conway Hall-Charm’s Chip) is trained by part owner Joseph Flynn. She is also owned by Edward Flynn. The winning price of the first stakes race was $7.90.
Late Closer stakes action continued in the fourth race on the card. This event had three fillies getting class relief by dropping out of Sire Stakes events and two of them would finish one-two. Distracting Beauty with trainer-driver Perry Simser at the controls moved to the front at the quarter pole and trotted strongly to the wire, holding off the pocket sitting Jetties with Jimmy Whittemore by one length in 2:01.3 Judith (Jack Flanigen), who came first over, wound up third.
Simser commented that the young filly is “becoming more handy” and “showing improvement.”
The fractions for the fillies were :30, 1:00.2 and 1:31.3. Distracting Beauty (Malabar Man-Overnight Rail) is owned by Gary Greenhouse, Harvey Friedman and Ronald Rubenstein. The winning price was a modest $5.50.
The third division started out pretty much as expected with 2-5 favorite Dream State and Josh Marks showing the way, however the final result was anything but expected.
Heading around the final turn Don’twanttobeblue and Ray Fisher, Jr., going off at 50-1 despite leaving the tougher Sire Stakes ranks, were up to challenge and trotted right on by the heavy favorite as the field of seven turned for home.
Not home free yet, Don’twanttobeblue was surrounded as Radiant One and Jack Flanigen had exited the pocket and were storming down the center while My Winning Way K with Jimmy Whittemore, who split horses also were coming on.
At the wire it was the Erv Miller trained Radiant One who got up by a head over the upset minded Don’twanttobeblue and My Winning Way K in 2:01.2. The fractions were :30.1, 1:01.1 and 1:30.3.
Radiant One (Credit Winner-Marvelous Yankee) notched her fourth win of the season for owners Mystical Marker Farms, Shim Racing and John Carver. The winning price for the final stakes race was $23.20.
The New York Sire Stakes season continues next Wednesday evening, August 18, when the 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters head to Western New York.
Live Racing will continue this Friday and Saturday evenings with a 6:40 p.m. post time. Be sure to join us when harness racing goes 'Back to the Track' this Saturday, August 14. There will be a chance to win a trip for two to the 2010 Little Brown Jug, a $50,000 must-win national Pick 4, baseball caps to the first 500 racing fans that swipe their Players Club card beginning at 5 p.m. at Players Club, food and drink specials, a special handicapping contest for prizes and other special incentives offered on track. For more information, visit www.BackToTheTrack.com .
Many Incentives to Come Back to the Track at Batavia Downs Casino
Press release:
(Batavia NY) --- Harness fans will celebrate the history and future of harness racing this Saturday when Batavia Downs teams with the United States Trotting Association (USTA) to present Back to the Track night.
Back to the Track is a promotion designed to bring fans out for an evening at the harness races as a means of recapturing the excitement they remember from earlier visits. A variety of special incentives are planned.
Batavia Downs and 20 other harness tracks around the U.S. will each give away a trip to the 2010 Little Brown Jug, the brightest jewel in the pacing Triple Crown, on September 23. There are two ways to become eligible to win the trip. Either download a VIP pass, and deposit it a box located next to Players Club or play the Back to the Track handicapping contest. One name will be picked via a drawing to win.
Beginning at 5:00, the first 500 fans to visit Player’s Club will receive a coupon for a free Back to the Track baseball cap, redeemable in The Paddock Room following the evening’s 7th race.
Additionally, food and beverage specials will be served all evening in The Paddock Room, including: $1.50 Sahlen’s Hot Dogs and soda, $2.00 drafts, a chicken BBQ for $8.50 and free coffee from 6:00 to 8:00. Soda and drafts are served in a commemorative Back to the Track cup.
Drivers and trainers will be signing autographs from 5:15 to 6:15, a handicapping seminar, hosted by Todd Haight, begins at 5:45. There will be a dedicated betting window for beginners. A horse and groom will be on-site until 8:00 pm., giving racing fans a chance to learn more about the sport and a representative from the USTA will be on hand to answer questions. All events taking place in The Paddock Room.
Players Club bonuses include a free taco from compliments of Taco Bell and a special handicapping contest for prizes. Sign up to play the handicapping contest begins at 5:00 p.m at Players club. Batavia Downs racing programs will be free of charge also beginning at 5:00p.m.
Batavia Downs Casino is owned and operated by Western Regional Off Track Betting, a public benefit corporation that operates in 15 counties and creates revenues for racing and local governments.
Muckdogs sending five players to all-star game
Five Muckdogs will represent Batavia in the 2010 New York-Penn League All-Star game.
Catcher Audry Perez, outfielder Nicholas Longmire, infielder Joey Bergman and pitchers Justin Edwards and Chase Reid were named to the squad.
The game will be played Tuesday, Aug. 17, at Richmond County Ballpark in Staten Island.
Closer Jose Rada -- who is third in the league with 10 saves and has a 1.13 ERA to go with 33 strikeouts in 24 innings -- was passed over (General Manager Travis Sick said that Rada was selected prior to being promoted to Quad Cities).
Following from the Muckdogs' news release:
Perez was an undrafted free agent signing in 2006 and has started 30 games as catcher for the Muckdogs this season. He is currently batting .333 with 44 RBI’s, which is good for 7th best in the league. Perez has also been solid behind the plate this year and has helped guide the pitching staff to a team ERA of 3.77.
Bergman, a 33rd round pick in the 2010 draft, has been among the league leaders in hitting all season. Bergman currently ranks 10th in the league in hitting, with a .313 batting average, to go along with 8 doubles and 17 RBI’s. Bergman primarily plays infield for the Muckdogs but was selected as the designated hitter for this year’s All-Star team.
The Cardinals selected Longmire in the 5th round of the 2010 draft out of Pacific University. As the team’s everyday centerfielder, Longmire has enjoyed a stellar rookie season. He is currently batting .286 and his 39 RBI’s is second most in the league. He also ranks in the top 10 in both home runs (8) and slugging percentage (.503).
Justin Edwards is in his second year of professional baseball and was a 28th round pick in the 2009 draft. The left-hander is 3-2 with an ERA of 2.57, which puts him in the top 10 of starting pitchers this year. He has also recorded 42 strikeouts in his 49.0 innings of work.
St. Louis drafted Reid out of Vanderbilt University in the 41st round of the 2010 draft. Pitching primarily as a set up man, Reid is 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA. He has help opposing batters to a .125 average, and has recorded 30 strikeouts in just 18.0 innings of work.
Batavia holds the third place spot in the Pinckney Division with a record of 28-21.
This marks the second time in three years that the Muckdogs have sent five players to the All-Star game. The Muckdogs sent five players to the 2008 All-Star game and sent three in 2009.
Muckdogs drop three straight in Brooklyn
The Muckdogs rode into Brooklyn as the hottest team in the NY-Penn League. They're leaving with a three-game losing streak on their tails.
Batavia dropped the three games by scores of 4-0, 14-4 and on Friday in extra innings, 5-4.
Yesterday, the Muckdogs' bullpen spoiled an outstanding pitching performance by Zack Russell, who gave up no runs and no hits over six innings. Batavia was up 2-0 when he left the game.
Michael Reid gave up two runs in the seventh to get tagged with a blown save. After the Muckdogs scored two runs in the top of the ninth, Keith Butler gave the runs back to Brooklyn in the bottom half. Tavis Lawlor took the loss, giving up the winning run in the 11th.
Nick Longmire and Chris Edmondson each had two hits.
The Muckdogs are 3-5 since hot-hitting catcher Audry Perez was injured while running the bases on July 31. He hasn't played since.
The team's record is now 27-20 and they're 2.5 games out of first.
They now travel to Vermont for a three-game series against the Lake Monsters, who are in first in the Stedler division with a record of 26-21.
Batavia returns home Tuesday to face Aberdeen.
Red Wings president says Muckdogs likely to lose Rochester support after this season
Baseball America -- the premier publication covering minor league and college baseball -- reports that the 2010 campaign for the Batavia Muckdogs will likely be the team's last under Rochester Community Baseball management.
"I have had discussions with (Genesee County Baseball Club) president (Brian Paris) and told him that we would probably not be interested in coming back for another year," said Silver, the president of the Red Wings. "So he is going to have his work cut out for him."
The article blames lack of community support for the situation, noting that average attendance has not risen above 1,045.
"It wouldn't take a miracle to turn it around, but it takes a certain community spirit to make something like this work," Silver said. "In a lot of communities, particularly where the population is rather small and drawing power is not the greatest in the world anyway, it becomes increasingly hard for a team to generate enough excitement and turnstile attendance unless something major happens. A small community can make it work if a team is new to them or a new stadium becomes all the buzz for several years. That may be enough to get them excited for years to come.
"In Batavia, it is real tough. We market much the same way as we do in Rochester. It's a miniature version, but it just doesn't get the same attention. People are missing out. And then the franchise disappears. And then you don't get it back. Once you lose it, you don't get it back."
Genesee County YMCA hosts NFL Punt, Pass & Kick competition
Young pro football fans will have the opportunity to exhibit their football skills when the
Genesee County YMCA hosts an NFL Punt, Pass & Kick competition on Aug. 21
at VanDetta Stadium in Batavia.
The competition is free and open to boys and girls ages 6-15. Age classification is as of Dec. 31 of the current year. For competition information, call The Y at 344-1664.
Entry forms are available online at <NFLyouthfootball.com> can be picked up at the Y, or can be submitted the day of competition. A birth certificate is required to show proof of age at all levels of competition.
The NFL Punt, Pass & Kick football competition allows youngsters to showcase their talents in punting, passing, and kicking with scores based on distance and accuracy.
The top finishers from each of the 10 age groups at the local competition will advance
to a sectional competition. Sectional competitions are held in October or early November.
The winners at the sectional competition will have their scores compared with other sectional champions; the top four scorers from the pool advance to the Team Championship, to be held before a Buffalo Bills game in late November or December.
Age-group champions at this level will be declared NFL Punt, Pass & Kick Team Champions.
The top four finishers in the boys’ and girls’ divisions within each age bracket from the pool of all Team Champions will qualify for the National Finals at an NFL playoff game in January. A number of NFL players have completed in NFL Punt, Pass and Kick, including top former and current NFL quarterbacks such as Dan Marino and Brett Farve.
The National NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition is administered by NFL Properties LLC. This local Punt, Pass and Kick (Local PPK) competition is officially licensed by NFL Properties, LLC, but none of the National Football League (NFL), its member clubs, NFL Ventures, L.P,. or any of their respective affiliates or subsidiaries are sponsoring or operating the Local PPK or will have any liability or responsibility for any claims arising in connection with participation in the Local PPK.
All NFL-related logos and marks, including, without limitation, the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick logo, are trademarks of the NFL or the respective member club.
Oakfield Rod & Gun Club starts 'Open Trap Shooting' Aug. 14
The Oakfield Rod & Gun Club will commence “Open Trap Shooting," starting Saturday, Aug. 14 and continuing each Saturday thereafter.
It runs from 2 to approximately 7 p.m., weather permitting. The club is located at 3199 Maltby Road in Oakfield.
Prepare for your fall hunting. The public is welcome.
Galbraith, Gregory and Schroeder named to Hall of Fame
The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association has announced that Clint Galbraith, Jeff Gregory and John Schroeder will be inducted into its Hall of Fame as representatives of Batavia Downs.
The crystal keepsakes will be presented to these inductees at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Sept. 4, in the winner's circle between races during “Hall of Fame Night.”
This select group of honorees will join Buddy Gilmour, Gerry Sarama and Dave Vance who were already honored at Buffalo Raceway.
There will be many activities held in association with this presentation at Batavia Downs that night, including the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Clint Galbraith’s Niatross setting the 1:55 world record for a half-mile track at Batavia in 1980.
There will be a random drawing to giveaway of a set of Clint Galbraith’s racing colors (all who are in attendance will be eligible), and the $200,000 NYSS 3-year-old pacing colts will be in town.
“We are happy to be involved with the induction of these three outstanding horsemen who have meant so much to the racing scene here over the years, said Todd Haight, the Downs' public relations and promotional marketing specialist. "We will do everything possible to make this a memorable evening for all who attend.”
Clint Galbraith <http://fanguide.ustrotting.com/dt_stars_profiles.cfm?id=76186>
Clint Galbraith left his home in Ontario in the late 1950s and set up shop on the Buffalo/Batavia circuit. After a few years of getting established, he scored his first dash title at Batavia Downs in 1963.
Galbraith was a force on the New York Sires Stakes circuit and campaigned a long string of “Kash” horses that were bred and raised at Rodney Farms that was then, and is now, run by Clint and his wife, Barbara.
Galbraith will forever be synonymous with the legendary Niatross. Niatross won 37 of 39 starts as a 2- and 3-year-old and was named the Horse of the Year in 1979 and 1980.
He was also harness racing's first $2 million pacer and at the time, the fastest horse in the sport after posting a 1:49.1 time trial at Lexington in 1980. He won the Cane Pace, the Meadowlands Pace, Woodrow Wilson and the Little Brown Jug. But Niatross was only a part of his story.
The year 1988 saw another Galbraith student, Call For Rain, set a new world record for pacers over a mile track when he went 1:49.3 at Lexington. Call For Rain won the Breeders Crown twice along with a list of other major stakes during his career.
In recent years, Clint has been enjoying considerable success training and driving the Galbraith stable horses, but a barn accident in early May sidelined him from action. He is currently recuperating and has been visiting the barn to oversee the operation's activities.
Although successful at every level, and racing throughout North America, Clint has always called Western New York home since he first made the move here some 50-plus years ago.
Jeff Gregory <http://fanguide.ustrotting.com/dt_stars_profiles.cfm?id=76186>
Jeff Gregory grew up in a racing family as his dad, Gary, operated a public stable since his birth. The family lived in Churchville, not far from Batavia Downs. Jeff started driving there in the early 1980s before splitting his time seasonally between Vernon Downs and Pompano.
His breakthrough to the big stage came in 2000 when he scored 317 wins, competing primarily at Yonkers Raceway. He received the USHWA Rising Star Award in 2002 and proceeded to prove the honor was well earned.
Today, Jeff is a top driver whose talents are sought on both the Grand Circuit and the New York Sire Stake circuit. These engagements keep him traveling across the state and racing at every major racetrack in North America.
His two biggest victories came with Jalopy in the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks in 2005 and Bubba Dunn in the $338,000 Yonkers Trot in 2002.
To date, Jeff has won more than 6,200 races and $55 million in purses lifetime.
John Schroeder <www.upstatenyushwa.com>
John Schroeder was a Western New York native who hit the racing scene in the early 1960s. He was considered one of the best “trotting men” of his era and plied his trade most notably from the mid-1960s through the late 1970s.
Although the list of horses who found success under the care of Schroeder is extensive, there are five that stand out: trotters Kash Minbar (1:56.1, $651,000) Cathy Lee (2:02, $195,000) and Top Trotter (1:58.4, $112,000) and pacers Worthy Coin (2:01.1, $182,000) and Sir Aladoh (2:00.3, $150,000).
Schroeder handled the bulk of the work until his son, Brian, got his license and picked up many of the drives. Brian went on to race Collier St. Joey in the 1993 Hambletonian.
John drove full time until 1981 when he scaled back his starts in the bike but continued to train. During his career John Schroeder found the winners circle 1,445 times and bankrolled $3.5 million in purses.
New Track Record at Batavia Downs Casino
Press Release:
Batavia, NY --- It was week two of the Batavia Downs Casino Summer/Fall meet and it also kicked off the 2010 New York Sire Stakes season. If Monday night was any indication of what Western New York racing fans have to look forward to, this is going to be one fun summer.
A total of 46 freshman colt and gelding pacers came to America’s oldest lighted harness track to compete for more than $120,000 in purses, split up in six divisions.
After the first three stakes races of the evening all tied Forensic Z Tam’s 1:55.2 track record for 2-year-olds, set in 2006, it was obvious it was only a matter of time until somebody broke it.
In race seven, Flipper J, with Jason Bartlett at the lines, established a new track record when he cruised around the half-mile oval and scored by two lengths in 1:54.4.
Bartlett sent the Art Major-Dolphins Can Talk colt right to the front from post seven and they put up all the numbers of :28.1, :57.3, and 1:26. A :28.4 final stanza was plenty fast enough to get Flipper J’s name in the record books. Linda Toscano trains the talented colt for owner Ken Jacobs. This was Flipper J’s second career win, with his other victory coming in NYSS action at Monticello.
Bartlett described the effort as “easy” and commented that the talented young colt was “very handy from the seven hole.”
Earlier in the evening Bartlett, Toscano and Jacobs teamed up to win the second division with the Artiscape-Perfect Purchase colt Thomas J in 1:55.2. Taking advantage of the rail Bartlett let the colt named after Jacobs' grandson roll. A powerful :56.2 back half made it impossible for the others to catch him; in fact Bartlett commented that the colt “was underwraps at the wire.”
Thomas J in now a perfect three for three in NYSS competition.
Major Way (Art Major-Feminine Ways) gave Bartlett, Toscano and Jacobs the hat trick when he notched a decisive score over seven overmatched rivals in the final NYSS race of the evening. Just like he did in his other two wins Bartlett let Major Way pace out of the gate and they never had an anxious moment, winning by over seven lengths in 1:56.
Major Way is also a perfect three for three in NYSS events and has won the three races by a combined 22 lengths.
Patrick Lachance got the festivities underway when he took the opener with Sir Ziggy’s Z Tam, winning by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:55.2. The Art Major-So Far Away colt is trained and co-owned by Lachance along with Z Tam Stables and Ira Rosenblum.
The American Ideal colt Sir Jonathan Z Tam gave Lachance a driving and training double when he took the ninth race in 1:56.4 by 3-1/4 lengths. Z Tam Stables, Ira Rosenblum and Lachance also own this colt.
Feel Like A Fool and Wind Me Up, part of a George Teague, Jr. entry, finished one-two in the third NYSS division of the evening. Feel Like A Fool and Downs leading driver Jack Flanigen had to survive a judges' inquiry when the Art Major-Fool That I Am colt got rough-gaited and made a break at the wire. The judges ruled he was not lapped on.
The 1:55.2 win was the second straight for Feel Like a Fool who shipped to Batavia fresh off a 1:53.1 score in a division of the Tompkins-Geers at Tioga. Kovach Stables LLC, Theodore Gewertz and George Teague, Jr. co-own.
Teague commented on Feel Like A Fool’s feistiness, “As we saw, if he can learn to control himself he will be very good later on.”
Flipper J setting a new track record of 1:54.4 for freshman pacers with Jason Bartlett at the controls.
Muckdogs continue to pile up wins
The Muckdogs continue to rip through the NY Penn League, shredding Mahoning Valley yesterday 8-1 for the team's 12th win in its last 14 contests.
The victory put Batavia back in first place, a half game ahead of Williamsville.
Jon Rodriguez homered in his third straight game, giving him six on the year. He had three hits, two RBIs and scored twice.
Infielder Joey Bergman brought his season average back up over .300 with another multi-hit game, going 2-4 and scoring three runs.
Starter Chris Corrigan picked up his third win, going five innings and giving up one run on three hits.
The Muckdogs are in Brooklyn tonight for the start of a three-game series. After three games in Vermont, they return to Dwyer on Tuesday to face Aberdeen.
Muckdogs split pair in Jamestown
The Muckdogs five-game winning streak was snapped Sunday as Batavia split a double-header in Jamestown against the Jammers.
In a pair of low-scoring affairs, the Muckdogs dropped the first game 3-1 and picked up the nightcap 2-1.
With Williamsport beating Mahoning Valley 5-3, Batavia drops back into second place, a half game out.
In the first game, Nick Longmire supplied the Muckdogs' lone run with his eighth home run of the season in the 6th inning. Yuner Castillo had three hits. Third-year pro from Camden, Ariz., Zach Russell gave up three runs in three innings to get tagged with the loss. It was Russell's sixth start of the season. He's now 1-2, but his ERA remains a low 2.48.
In game two, corner infielder Jon Rodriquez hit his first home run of the season. Patrick Biserta, a first-year pro from Harriman, had two hits and an RBI.
Starter John Gast went three innings, giving up four hits and no runs. Matt North pitched two scoreless innings and was credited with the win, and Jose Rada, despite walking two and giving up a hit and a run, notched his 10th save of the season.
The Muckdogs are home tonight (7:05 game time) and take on Mahoning Valley. Tomorrow's game against Mahoning Valley starts at the unusual time of 11:05 a.m.
Following the two game series, Batavia hits the road for six games, returning on Aug. 10. The next fireworks night is Aug. 13 against Hudson Valley.
Muckdogs take sixth in a row to grab slender hold on first place
Behind another strong outing by starting pitcher Andrew Moss, the Batavia Muckdogs locked up a 16-win July and their six consecutive victory to move into first place -- by one percentage point -- over Williamsport.
The Muckdogs took down the Jammers, whom they play twice today in Jamestown, 6-1.
Moss went five innings for the Muckdogs (24-16) giving up one run and four hits to the Jamestown Jammers (23-17). Moss struck out six and moves his record to 5-1 with a 3.35 ERA.
Hot-hitting catcher Audry Perez was removed for a pinch runner after smacking a double in the third inning. He did not appear seriously injured, but there is no word on the extent of his injury.
He was replaced by Roberto Espinoza, a Venezuelan picked by the Cardinals in the June 2006 draft. Though Espinoza has four years of minor-league experience, this is his first season in Batavia, joining the team in mid-July. Espinoza picked up his first two hits as a Muckdog as well as drawing walk.
Fifth-rounder Nick Longmire had three hits and an RBI raising his average to .319.
Joey Bergman and Yuner Castillo each had two hits.
Perez and DH Victor Sanchez each had two RBIs.
More pictures after the jump:
Photos: Youth Soccer championships
Genesee Youth Soccer held its championship matches Saturday and Sunday at Byron-Bergen High School.
Teams in several age brackets from throughout the region competed.
We expect to get results e-mailed to us tonight or tomorrow and will post them as soon as we are able to.
I was able to only spend an hour or so at the matches and split time between two games on adjacent fields. More pictures after the jump:
UPDATE: Here are game scores:
U19 Boys - Medina over Batavia 3-1
U16 Boys - Batavia over Lyndonville 2-0
U16 Girls - Attica over Pavilion 4-1
U14 Boys - Pavilion over Batavia 3-0
U14 Girls - Albion over Attica 2-0
U12 Boys - Leroy Knights over Batavia 5-0
U12 Girls - Leroy Strikers over Batavia 1-0
