Sports

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.

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.

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.

"Dave McNeight III pushed the car away with Black Is Back."

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Heavily backed at the windows, Black Is Back delivered for his supporters after going gate to wire in the $8,500 Open I Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 24). 

The red-hot Dave McNeight III pushed the car away with Black Is Back and took the point passing the quarter in :28 and led a single file field to the half from there. Rounding turn two, McSpidey (Denny Bucceri) and Cultural Paradise (Kyle Cummings) pulled into the breeze and prompted the third quarter to a snappy 1:25.2. 

Rounding the last turn, Cultural Paradise tipped three deep, Percy’s Z Tam (Jim Morrill Jr.) went four wide around him and McSpidey shook loose from the pylons and all five horses were charging down the lane. With a highly animated group of drivers doing their best to get there first, McNeight and Black Is Back refused to lose and hung on by ½ length in 1:54.4.

It was the seventh win of the year for Black Is Back ($2.80) who is owned by Curtis Edholm and Mihajlo Zedjelar Sr. Mihajlo Zedjelar Jr. trains the winner.

(Photo: Machlicious with reinsman Drew Monti.)

The $7,500 Open II Handicap pace went to Machlicious (Drew Monti) who got away fourth before pulling first-over at the half, taking the lead at the three-quarters and then maintaining a 1-½ length lead to the wire where he won in 1:55.2.

Machlicious ($5.10) captured his third win in his last four starts for owner Jim Caradori and trainer Darrin Monti. 

Dave McNeight III led all drivers on Saturday with driving Grand Slam but Ron Beback Jr. had a big night as well, winning three races as both a driver and a trainer. 

There was a $5,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool at Batavia Downs on Saturday that paid out big. The winning combination of 6-3-5-5-4 returned $6,065 for a $1 wager. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 28) 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.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

With no winner in the Pick-5 wager on Wednesday (Oct. 21) there is a $2,152 carry-over pool today (Oct.24) and there will also be a guaranteed pool of $5,000 for the Pick-5 wage.

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 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 the Wednesday (Oct. 28) program.

Post time for today's first race is 5 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Western New York racing legend and former Grand Circuit driving star Gerry Sarama reached another career milestone after getting his 1,000^th training victory with Ohio Prince in the 12^th race at Batavia Downs on Wednesday. 

Sarama has been around the sport his entire life as his father owned and raced horses. He started driving at an early age and quickly found himself at the top of the driver colony in Western New York and won many driving titles at Batavia Downs. 

Sarama made a move to Roosevelt Raceway in the late 1970s and successfully competed with the best in the nation on the biggest stage at the time, racing side by side with the likes of Carmine Abbatiello, Herve Filion, Billy Haughton and all the other great New York City reinsmen of that era.

But he eventually found his way back to his roots and continued to be at the top of his game ever since. The one constant of Sarama’s career regardless of what track he was competing at, he was always a highly sought after catch driver.   

During his driving career, the now 78-year-old Sarama amassed 2630 wins and bankrolled $11.5 million dollars. But he curtailed that activity in 2007 and turned his attention to training full time. Since doing so Sarama has found as much success in the jog cart as he did in the sulky. He currently oversees about 14 horses and since taking over conditioning duties full time, his stable has won in excess of $5.6 million. During his entire training career Sarama has made 6,153 starts with 1,000 wins, 931 seconds and 843 thirds giving him a .292 UTR. 

The entire staff at Batavia Downs as well as all our horsemen would like to congratulate “The man with the hands” Mr. Gerry Sarama on this accomplishment.

Photo courtesy of Tim Bojarski.

Before I Die in the forefront with driver Jim McNeight Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

A rain-soaked track greeted horsemen for the night’s proceedings at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 21) but stellar performances were still on display, especially by top class winners Before I Die and Tellawoman. 

A scratch-shortened field of six horses went to post in the $8,500 Open I Handicap trot and the race turned into a tale of two races. Chapter one was Il Mago (Jim Morrill Jr.) who screamed off the gate and sped away to an eight-length lead at the half in :58 and looked like a walk-over tonight. At that same station, Before I Die (Jim McNeight Jr.) was sitting fourth and 11 lengths in arrears. 

Chapter two was when McNeight pulled Before I Die at the five-eighths and started making tracks toward the leader and doing it in a timely fashion. At the three-quarters Il Mago’s lead was down to four and diminishing with every stride while Before I Die was in full gear. When they hit the top of the lane Il Mago was digging in and determined to win, but Before I Die wrote his own ending by a head; winning in 1:58.2. 

It was the second top class victory this year at Batavia Downs for Before I Die ($8.70) and his owners Caren and Jamie Dubay, the latter who also trains the winner.

Above, driver Jim Morrill Jr. with Tellawoman in the lead.

Then in the $8,500 Open I Handicap for for pacing fillies and mares, HP Sissy (Denny Bucceri) led the field to the half in :27.4 but when Bucceri tapped the brakes in a :30.1 second panel, Morrill pulled Tellawoman and took control by the five-eight’s pole. As soon as he did, Bucceri came right back out with HP Sissy and rode alongside the leader with Yankee Secret (Dave McNeight III) now traveling three deep. 

Heading into the stretch HP Sissy faded and Carly Girl (Drew Monti) was trying to get out between her and Tellawoman while Lady Dudette (Kyle Cummings) was also now flying down the stretch. When they hit the wire four horses were only a length apart in very close quarters and after an objection and two inquiries (none of which were allowed) Tellawoman won in 1:57, only 1/2 length ahead of Lady Dudette and HP Sissy who dead-heated for second. 

It was the second win in the last three starts for Tellawoman ($7.10) and owner Rose Campbell. Russell Bratt trains the winner. 

Jim Morrill Jr. and Drew Monti topped all drivers with three winners each on the night while trainers Sabrina Shaw, Kevin Cummings and Gerry Sarama tied for top conditioning honors with two apiece. 

With no winner in the Pick-5 wager on Wednesday there is a $2,152 carry-over pool that will move to Saturday (Oct.24) and it has been announced that there will be a guaranteed pool of $5,000 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 the Batavia Downs and USTA websites.

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 the following Wednesday (Oct. 28) program.

Post time for the first race Saturday is 5 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs has announced there will be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager on Wednesday (Oct. 21). The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages are 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 the Saturday (Oct. 24) program.

Post time for the first race Wednesday is 5 p.m.

Also, there will be two matinee cards coming up soon at the Downs. The first will be on Saturday (Oct. 31) which is Halloween and the second is Saturday (Nov. 7), which is Breeders Cup Day. Post time for both matinees will be at 1:15 p.m.

And Batavia Downs has been advised by the New York State Gaming Commission that the track will be racing spectator-free for the remainder of the 2020 season.

Owners listed in the program will continue to be allowed to attend the races, which has been the norm since opening day.

Photo: Cultural Paradise with driver Kyle Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Although it was a short field after the scratch of Mr. Euroman, Cultural Paradise was grossly overlooked and ended up putting regret in the wallets of those who ignored him after he handily won the $8,500 Open I Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 17). 

As Stratosphere (Drew Monti) and Manceiver (Denny Bucceri) traded leads going to the half, Cultural Paradise (Kyle Cummings) stayed third on the pylons, chasing the pace. Positions remained unchanged in the abbreviated five-horse group by the half and to the three-quarters where Cultural Paradise tipped out and started to move towards the front. Halfway through the last turn, Cultural Paradise cleared Manceiver and opened up by 1-3/4 lengths down the lane and hit the light first in 1:54.1 at 19-1. 

For Cultural Paradise ($36) it was the fifth win of the year, all taken in his last seven starts. Don Rothfuss trains for owner Howard Ouriel. 

In the $7,500 Open II pace, Beachy Dream (Jim Morrill Jr.) followed PC’s Expresso (Dave McNeight III) for 7/8^th’s of a mile before pulling the pocket at the top of the stretch and out-sprinting him to the line for a one-length victory in 1:55. The ultra-consistent Beachy Dream ($2.60) is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama. 

Shawn McDonough had a busy combined night, winning two races as a driver and three races as a trainer. Individually, Kyle Cummings had a driving hat trick with Jim Morrill Jr. scoring two wins and trainer Jim Clouser Jr. had two wins as well.  

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 21) at 5 p.m. when there will be a guaranteed $3,000 Pick-5 pool in race one. As part of the USTA Strategic Wagering program there will be free program pages for races one through five available early next week at the Batavia Downs and USTA websites.

Photo: HP Sissy with driver Denny Bucceri.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The top class for both pacing mares and trotters were featured on the Wednesday (Oct. 14) card of racing at Batavia Downs and the public’s choice came through in both events. 

In the $8,500 Open I Handicap distaff pace, HP Sissy (Denny Bucceri) got away fifth while Protect Blue Chip (Billy Davis Jr.) paced on the lead through five-eighths of the mile. That is where HP Sissy came calling first-up on the rim, drawing close to the leader at the three-quarters. Protect Blue Chip and HP Sissy then strode neck-and-neck around the far turn and into the stretch where HP Sissy started to inch away, clear and then hold off a late closing Lady Dudette (Kyle Cummings) to win in 1:55.

HP Sissy ($5.40) scored her sixth win of the year for owner Finocchario’s Dream Stable and trainer Mike Ohol.

Above, CR Blazin Beauty with driver Ray Fisher Jr.

Then in the $8,500 Open I Handicap trot, CR Blazin Beauty (Ray Fisher Jr.) took a similar path to victory, getting away third behind Majestic Kat (Billy Davis Jr.) before tipping at the half and trotting unhurriedly outside the leader for the next three-eighths of a mile. At the head of the lane, CR Blazing Beauty just switched gears and sped away to a two-length advantage by mid-stretch and then just jogged home a winner in 1:57.2, which was a new seasonal mark. 

CR Blazin Beauty ($6.30) is owned by Marissa Russo and is trained by David Russo. 

Drivers Dave McNeight III and Drew Monti both scored Hat Tricks on Wednesday while trainer Rose Russo did so as well on the conditioning side. Triple Sticks and Drivin’ Drew are the two hottest drivers at the Downs over the last five days, winning 14 and 13 races respectively. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 17) at 5 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs has announced there will be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager today (Oct. 14).

The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages are 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 the Saturday (Oct. 17) program.

Post time for the first race today is 5 p.m.

Black Is Back with driver Dave McNeight III.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Taking full advantage of the pylon position start, Black Is Back (Dave McNeight III) grabbed the lead by the quarter and took the field to the half in :57.3. By that time Stratosphere (Drew Monti) was rolling up the rim and moving towards the front. Black Is Back and Stratosphere battled up the backside, around the far turn and into the lane where Black Is Back put away the challenge and then held off a late charge by Mr. Euroman (BIlly Davis Jr.) to win by ¼ length in 1:54.3.

It was the fourth win of the Batavia meet and sixth win overall this year for Black Is Back ($3.30) who is owned by Curtis Edhholm and Mihajlo Zdjelar Sr. Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr. trains the winner. 

In the $7,500 Open II pace, Manciever (Drew Monti) pulled first-over at the 3/8th’s and took the lead from Santana Beach (Billy Davis Jr.) by the half and then kicked away to a 4-¾ length win in 1:54.1. Owned by Jeffrey Savidge and trained by Jennifer Giuliani, Manciever ($5) took a new seasonal mark in his third win of the year. 

Drew Monti had the hot hand in the sulky on Saturday winning five races on the card. He won with the aforementioned Manciever, Machlicious (1:54, $3.60), The Lunch Pail (1:55.2, $2.10), Thedoginthefight (1:57.4, $3.70) and Gallant Major (1:57.3, $7.20).  

Trainer Don Rothfuss led all conditioners with two wins on the night.  

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 14) and it was announced that there will be a guaranteed $3,000 pool in the Pick-5 wager that day.

It will be part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program and as such, there will be free program pages for the first five races on Wednesday available on the Batavia Downs website and the USTA website starting on Monday.

Post time for the first race will be 5 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

With no winner in the Pick-5 wager on Wednesday (Oct. 7) at Batavia Downs, there is a $1,462 carry-over pool today (Oct.10) and there will be a guaranteed pool of $4,000 for the Pick-5 wager.

The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages are available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs website, the USTA’s website 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 the Wednesday (Oct. 14) program.

Post time for today's first race is 5 p.m.

NOTE: Laurie Call helped lead Notre Dame to a 2013 state championship.

Press release:

Eastern Nazarene College head women's basketball coach Sacha Santimano has announced the hiring of Laurie Call as assistant coach.

A 2018 graduate of Houghton College, Call played three seasons with the Highlanders' women's basketball program. She served as a team captain during her senior season and helped the team reach the Empire 8 championship game in the program's first-ever Empire 8 postseason appearance. She was an NCCAA All-American Scholar-Athlete and was named to the President's List and Dean's Honor List at Houghton.

Call joins the collegiate coaching ranks following a stint as an assistant coach with the WNY Rebels, working with the AAU basketball team's 8th-10th grade squad.

A native of Batavia, New York, Call has worked as a staffing manager at TalentBridge in Rochester, New York since 2018. At TalentBridge, she was named the company's 2019 Rookie of the Year and was responsible for recruiting candidates for various companies' hiring needs. Call also interned in the Houghton College Alumni Office and at the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia during her undergraduate academic career.

"Laurie is a great addition to this program and family. She's incredibly smart and hard-working. She brings a lot of energy and new ideas! We cannot wait to get her here," commented Santimano.