Sports

Five more wins for Jim McNeight Jr. at Batavia Downs

By Tim Bojarski
Dec 2, 2023, 11:43am

Photo of Summer Slash courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

For the second time this meet, Jim McNeight Jr. visited the winner’s enclosure five times during the Wednesday night (Nov. 29) card at Batavia Downs to further enhance what has been a career year for the 27-year-old reinsman. His first foray with five came on Oct. 6.

McNeight won with Mach Of Shame (1:59, $6.90), Fear Her Touch (1:57.2, $13.80), Chipper Daisey (1:57.1, $6.50), Ariyana Star (1:58, $118.00) and Red Hot Sun (1:59.1, $11.00). McNeight is currently the fourth leading driver of the Batavia meet with 57 wins, but his numbers for the year are what really stand out. He has 124 wins, $1.06 million in earnings, and a UDR of .241, all of which are career highs by a great margin.

The one race McNeight didn’t win on Wednesday was the $15,000 featured pace for fillies and mares where Ray Fisher Jr. steered Summer Slash to her first victory after a two-month layoff.

Summer Slash was third and eight lengths off the pace of Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings) who skated through quarters of :27.2 and :57. Summer Slash made up the deficit by the five-eighths and Fisher pulled the mare heading up the backstretch. As the race moved past three-quarters, Summer Slash moved into second place and under a line drive by Fisher, ran down Won Surreal Deal in the stretch to win by 1-¼ lengths in 1:55.

It was the ninth win of the year for Summer Slash ($8.30) who is owned by Ilovemyharnesshorsesummer and trained by Ryan Swift.

In the $11,500 conditioned pace for fillies and mares, A Black Diamond (Dave McNeight III) won her 13th race of the year, eight of which came at Batavia Downs. After leaving from post one, A Black Diamond led every step of the mile and won by three-quarters of a length over the tripped-out Imprincessgemma A (Brett Beckwith) in 1:55.4. A Black Diamond ($2.40) is owned by Lav Racing Stable and trained by Russell Bratt.

Jim Rothfuss had two training wins to lead all conditioners on Wednesday.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 2) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $519 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

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

Karl Marth Cup challenge match on tap for today

By Mike Pettinella
Dec 2, 2023, 9:49am

The annual Karl Marth Cup challenge match takes place this afternoon at Medina Lanes with the BBA South team hoping to avenge a narrow defeat last year and close the gap in the all-time series against the BBA North squad.

Dedicated to Karl Marth, a Batavia Bowling Association Hall of Famer who died in 2003, the event also keeps alive the memory of the former BBA, which listed bowling centers in Genesee and Orleans counties.

Competition takes place in Doubles, Singles, Baker Doubles and Baker Team. In Baker-style bowling, bowlers alternate frames.

In 2022, the North edged the South, 62-61, and now leads the series, 16-12.

Today’s match is scheduled for 1 p.m. and is open to the public.

Members of the North team are Hayden Allis (captain), Alex Allis, Scott Allis, Roger Allis, Scott Gibson, Garrett Gibson, Jim Foss, Brian Cline, Jason Mahnke, Jake Rosenbeck, Dean Cadieux Jr. and Ray Neuman.

Members of the South team are Ed Doody (captain), Fred Gravanda, Matt Balduf, Dave Montemarano Jr., Scott Shields, James Townsend, Geoff Harloff, Steve O’Dell, Mike Johnson, Paul Bacon, Rick Underhill and Scott Culp.

Younger hockey players get their own tournament for a change with inaugural Merry Mitemas event

By Howard B. Owens
Dec 2, 2023, 7:45am

The Merry Mitemas Tournament is underway at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena in Batavia.

The inaugural tournament features 18 teams. Four are from Batavia, with teams from as far away as Webster and Geneva, said Sharon Valyear-Gray, one of the tournament's organizers, along with her husband, Bob Gray, their daughter, Allyson Valyear, who is chair, and Tim Sprague, Mite program team coordinator.

"We wanted to give the little guys an experience that our older ones always get when they go to tournaments," Valyear-Gray said. "Several of the teams went to the Pittsburgh tournament on Veterans weekend. Most of them go to one or two (tournaments) in Rochester. We have three teams that are going to Lake Placid in March, which is really a neat experience for the kids. But the little ones just kind of get left behind."

Each team is guaranteed at least three games over the weekend.

The weekend will include a skate with Santa at noon on Sunday, followed by the championship game.

Photos by Howard Owens

Elba beats Lyndonville in season opener

By Howard B. Owens
Dec 1, 2023, 10:21am

Genesee Region Girls Basketball opened the 2023-24 season on Thursday with a matchup between Elba and Lydonville.

The Lancers beat the Tigers 55-36.

Sydney Reilly scored 17 points. Lydia Ross added 15 and Mariah Ognibene 10.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Former BHS hoops star picks up first win as high school head coach in Alexander

By Howard B. Owens
Nov 30, 2023, 10:37am

The Alexander Trojans beat Geneseo 51-46 on Tuesday to open its 2023-24 campaign in Boys Basketball.

The win was the first as head coach for former Batavia High School basketball standout Jalen Smith.

Jayden Snyder notched a double-double for the Trojans, with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Kingston Woods also scored 12 points. He had seven rebounds. Trenton Woods added 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Dylan Pohl scored eight points.

Photos by Doug McFarland

Gustke captures Genesee Region USBC Senior Masters at Mancuso's; Manners 2nd, Weber 3rd

By Mike Pettinella
Nov 28, 2023, 9:28am

Rob Gustke of Rochester gave himself an early birthday present on Saturday by winning the Genesee Region USBC Senior Masters Tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

The high-revving right-hander, who turned 53 on Monday, was making his first appearance in the event for GRUSBC bowlers 50 years of age and older. He is a member of the Pizzaland Doubles League at Le Roy Legion Lanes.

Photo: From left, Brian Weber, Rob Gustke, Rob Manners.

Gustke defeated Rob Manners, also of Rochester, 194-181, in the title match, to claim the $300 first prize. He also earned a free entry into the GRUSBC Scratch Memorial Tournament in January and a championship plaque.

Manners won $200 for placing second while Brian Weber of Perry pocketed $150 for finishing in third place. Manners turned back Weber, 267-224, in the opening match of the three-bowler stepladder finals to move on to face the top-seeded Gustke.

Gustke was the second-high qualifier with a three-game total of 712 and then rolled 494 for two games to reach the top six. His 213 in the third round enabled him to secure the No. 1 seed for the finals.

The victory adds to his impressive list of titles, mostly compiled in the Rochester NY USBC.

“I think I'm up to seven or eight city titles now … and I won the Mount Morris Open in 2019,” said Gustke, a machinist by trade. “They were all scratch tournaments, and I bowl more for the titles than the money.”

Gustke said he used three bowling balls over his seven games – the Storm DNA, Storm IQ Nano Pearl and the 900 Global Ordnance C4.

The tournament drew 43 entries over two qualifying squads.

In qualifying, Jim Foss of Medina led the way with a 749 series, followed by Gustke (712), Scott Shields of Batavia 705, Weber 704, Mickey Hyde of Le Roy 698, Dean Cadieux Jr. of Oakfield 694, Manners 684, defending champion Roger Allis of Medina 670, Bill Neubert of Batavia 667, Scott Gibson of Oakfield 666, Mark Brown of Attica 661 and John Lowe of Le Roy 650.

Gustke (494 for two games), Manners (463), Brown (462), Allis (449), Weber (446) and Neubert (437) advanced through the second round, with Weber (225 for one game), Manners (224) and Gustke (213) reaching the stepladder finals.

Allis, Neubert and Brown each won $100 while the six other cashers earned $75 apiece. The GRUSBC added $200 to the prize fund and another $200 was added from a special Masters fund administered by tournament director Paul Spiotta.

Alexander wins Red Jacket Toys for Tots tournament

By Howard B. Owens
Nov 27, 2023, 5:05pm

The Alexandar Trojans played in the Red Jacket Toys for Tots Tournament at Red Jacket on Saturday, winning the championship 77-27.

Scoring:

Alyssa Kramer, 26
Madison Boyce, 16
Emily Pietrzykawski, 16
Hayden Bezon, 9

Alyssa Kramer was the tournament MVP

Photos by Brennan Bezon

Oakfield's Garrett Gibson posts 300; Cline rolls 280--761

By Mike Pettinella
Nov 27, 2023, 9:12am

Once an outstanding youth bowler in the Oakfield junior program run by his father, Garrett Gibson is making his mark on the adult league and tournament bowling scene.

Gibson, now 30, posted his third United States Bowling Congress-certified 300 game yesterday morning while competing in the Sunday Rolloffs League at Medina Lanes -- a weekly singles competition that also includes his dad, Scott.

The right-hander fired games of 243-300-246 for a 789 series to lead all bowlers.

In April of this year, he recorded a perfect game at the New York State Open Championships at Bowl-A-Roll Lanes in Rochester. His first 300 game came in 2015 at Scopano's Lanes (now StrikeForce Lanes) in his hometown of Oakfield.

Garrett is employed as an electrical engineering technician at MGA Research Corp. in Akron.

In other league action around the Genesee Region USBC, Middleport left-hander Brian Cline continued his stellar bowling with a 280 game and 761 series in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League at Mancuso Bowling Center. Cline is averaging over 230 in the league.

For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Johnny Boy upsets top trot, Morrill wins five at Batavia

By Tim Bojarski
Nov 27, 2023, 8:40am

Photo of Johnny Boy courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

After bouncing back from an untimely break last week and despite a jump in class for this start, Johnny Boy got back in the win column by taking the $15,000 Open I Handicap trotting feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 25).

Kevin Cummings sent Johnny Boy to the front, grabbed the lead past the quarter and then controlled the race every step from there. After reaching the half in :58.4, Makadushin N Cheez (Jim McNeight Jr.) rolled up first-over on the rim and remained a player until three-quarters. His bid fell apart at that point, forcing Gracious Triumph (Jim Morrill Jr.) three-wide into the last turn. Meanwhile Johnny Boy had opened up a two length advantage before turning for home and was driven confidently to the wire on top by 1-¼ lengths in 1:57.2.

It was the ninth win of the year for Johnny Boy ($17.80) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.

In the co-featured $15,000 Open I Handicap pace, Lanjo Lee (Kyle Cummings) was by far the best horse in the race and finished his mile with an exclamation mark. After leading the field by a gapped margin through quarters of :27.4, :57.4 and 1:25.1, Lanjo Lee extended his lead around the last turn and bolted home under wraps and on top by 3-¾ lengths in 1:53.3.

Lanjo Lee ($3.50) scored his seventh win of the year for owner Gordon Swift and trainer Jeff Sorenson.

After setting the track record for wins on a single card (9) last Saturday at Batavia, driver Jim Morrill Jr. was back at it again this week and posted five more wins during the program. He won with Mugshots Bro (1:58.1, $3.50), Stop Action (1:56, $4.50), Virgil N (1:54.2, $3.30), BJ’s Smitty (1:57.4, $8.90) and Mighty Santana N (1:54.2, $2.70). Morrill also finished second four times out of his 12 drives giving him a .602 UDR for the evening. Morrill is currently the leading percentage driver among all other drivers in North America with a .438 UDR for the entire year.

There was a big payout in the final race of the night when the Jackpot Hi-5 was hit. The single unique combination of 1-4-9-5-7 returned $4,671.30 for a 20-cent wager.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 29) at 6 p.m.

Photo of Lanjo Lee courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

With 13th win, and no losses, Pembroke Dragons win second consecutive state title in 8-man football

By Staff Writer
Nov 25, 2023, 6:51pm

The Pembroke Dragons Varsity Football team finished 13-0 on the season with a 36-0 victory over the Section 4 Moravia Blue Devils in the NYSPHSAA 8 man championship. 1st quarter 14-0 2nd quarter 28-0 3rd quarter 36-0 4th quarter 36-0 Behind the blocking of Ben Steinberg, Jayden Mast, Jayden Bridge, Madden Perry, JJ Gabbey, Octavius Martin and Hayden Williams, The Dragons racked up over 500 yards on offense with no punts for the game. Tyson Totten ran for 401 yards and 5 touchdowns to finish the year wit

In the eight-man state football championship on Saturday, the Pembroke Dragons jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead and didn't look back on its way to its 13th win of the season by a score of 36-0 to capture the title.

It's the second consecutive state title for Pembroke in eight-man football. It's the first time a Pembroke football team finished the season with a perfect 13-0 record.

The Dragons once again topped the half-century mark in total yardage with Tyson Totton gaining 401 himself on the ground and scoring five touchdowns. He finishes the year with more than 4,000 yards and 70 TDs.

Fullback Caleb Felski had 102 yards rushing as well as converting on three two-point conversions.

Defensively the Dragons were led by Felski with 16 tackles and an interception, while Totten, Sean Pustulka, Jayden Mast, Jayden Bridge, Octavius Martin, Hayden Williams, and Vijay Dhanda all had five or more tackles. Jayden Bridge also added a sack and a blocked punt.

Submitted info and photos.

Byron-Bergen's Hagen signs for Roberts Wesleyan University

By Press Release
Nov 24, 2023, 11:16am

Photo of Mackenzie Hagen with her family and Coach Hill courtesy of Mary Hughes.

Press Release:

Byron-Bergen Central School District proudly announces that on Friday, Nov. 3, senior Mackenzie Hagen signed a letter of intent to attend Roberts Wesleyan University as a member of their women’s soccer team. At Roberts Wesleyan, she plans to enter the Pre-Veterinary Medicine program, majoring in Biology.
Her commitment to Roberts Wesleyan was witnessed by her parents, her sister Crystal, and Byron-Bergen Varsity Girls Soccer Coach Wayne Hill.
“Mackenzie is ready for the next level of soccer competition,” said Byron-Bergen Athletic Director Rich Hannan. “Her outstanding work ethic and speed make her an incredible athlete, but she is also a gifted leader on and off the field. I wish her the very best at Roberts Wesleyan.”
Hagen is a 6-year Varsity Soccer player and a member of three consecutive Section V championship teams. She participates in Varsity Track and Field where she is a member of the record-holding 800m Sprint Medley Relay team. She is also a Scholar Athlete and Genesee Region All-Star. In addition to sports, Hagen is a member of the National Honor Society. She would like to thank her parents, sister, and coaches.

Photos: Caryville Inn Turkey Trot in Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens
Nov 24, 2023, 10:45am

logan clark winning caryville inn turkey trot 2023 — *Logan Clark won the 2023 Caryville Inn Turkey Trot on Thursday with an unofficial time of 17:05.*
*Photo by Howard Owens.*

The Caryville Inn in Oakfield sponsored its annual Turkey Trot on Thursday morning.

It was a new, and for the first-time certified, course for this year's event.

heather mills, caryville inn turkey trot 2023 — *Heather Mills was top woman finisher in the 2023 Caryville Inn Turkey Trot. (Time not available).the*
*Photo by Howard Owens*

caryville inn turkey trot oakfield 2023 — *Photo by Howard Owens.*

Louie The Lilac doubles up in Batavia feature

By Tim Bojarski
Nov 24, 2023, 8:00am

Photo of Louie The Lilac courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

After a convincing victory off class relief last week, Louie The Lilac moved back to the feature race and won again in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Nov. 22).

Kevin Cummings fired Louie The Lilac to the front and led every step of the way. After setting the pace at :28.1, :58.2 and 1:26.3 with Xenia’s Chip (Jim Morrill Jr.) trying to match steps in the pocket, Louie The Lilac turned for home and bolted to the line on top by three lengths in 1:55.3.

It was the ninth win of the year for Louie The Lilac ($3.90) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.

Cummings ended the night with three wins to lead all drivers.

In the $11,500 mid-level conditioned event for distaff pacers, The Stunning Nun N (Jim Morrill Jr.) made her first start back since September a winning one after she led from gate to wire in 1:57.2 by an easy 2-½ lengths over A Black Diamond (Dave McNeight III).

The Stunning Nun N ($7.70) is owned by her trainer Mike Deters, in partnership with Joel Warner, John Manning, and Barbara Jensen.

Deters along with Sam Smith and Mike Ohol all had two training wins on Wednesday.

The $10,000 guaranteed Pick-5 was hit on Wednesday. The combination of 5/3/1,8/1/3 returned $408 for a 50-cent wager. The carryover was $3,035 and the guarantee generated $13,907 in new money.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 25) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $3,080 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Notre Dame grads, McCulley cousins match up for first time as collegiate athletes

By Howard B. Owens
Nov 23, 2023, 4:33pm

Hoops runs in the McCulley Family DNA, and that trait was fully on display on Tuesday in Rochester when cousins Callie and Amelia took the court against each other for the first time in their respective college careers.

Callie is in her final year, as a fifth-year senior and the University of Rochester. Amelia is just starting at William and Smith College. Both young women helped their respective Notre Dame squads win Section V titles and both scored more than 1,000 points in their high school basketball careers.

Callie graduated in 2019 and Amelia last year.

U of R got the win on Tuesday, 83-72. Calle scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Amelia scored five points and had three rebounds.

Photos by Pete Welker.

Genesee County well represented in annual Eddie Meath All-Star Game

By Howard B. Owens
Nov 22, 2023, 10:09am

More than two dozen football players from Genesee County made the West's roster for the Eddie Meath All-Star Game, which was played Monday at U of R's Fauver Stadium.

The East beat the West 21-6.

Genesee County players on the West roster:

Trent Woods, Alexander
Clayton Bezon, Alexander
Case Hill, Alexander
Landyn Thomas
Cole Grazioplene, Batavia
Mekhi Fortes, Batavia
Brian Calderon, Batavia
Damon Linzy, Byron-Bergen
Anthony Leach, Byron-Bergen
Max Wilson, Byron-Bergen
Tony Piazza, Le Roy
Jackson Fix, Le Roy
Drew Strollo, LeRoy
Cal Koukides, Le Roy
AustinPangrazio, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba
Ashton Bezon, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba
Bodie Hyde, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba
Angelo Penna, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba
Tyson Totten, Pembroke
Jeremy Gabbey, Jr., Pembroke
Sean Pustulka, Pembroke
Jaden Mast, Pembroke
Brennan Royce, Pembroke
Joe Bauer, Pavilion
Tyler Brady, Pavilion
Austin Cummings, Pavilion

Ella Mattice of Le Roy participated as a cheerleader.

Photos by Debra Reilly

Batavia offers $10,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool Wednesday

By Tim Bojarski
Nov 21, 2023, 3:36pm

With no winner of the Pick-5 last Saturday (Nov. 18), there is a carryover of $3,035 for that wager on Wednesday (Nov. 22) and Batavia Downs will be offering a $10,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool. This is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and free program pages courtesy of Trackmaster will be available on the USTA’s website under the Handicapping/Strategic Wagering links.

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, the pool will be carried over to the Pick-5 wager on the next day of racing.

Free full card program pages for Wednesday and every live racing night at Batavia Downs can also be downloaded at bataviadownsgaming.com under the live racing tab and you can watch all the action free and live on the track’s YouTube Channel.

Post time for the first race on Wednesday is 6 p.m.

Tyson's 626 yards, 10 TDs help propel Pembroke to state championship game as part of 107-64 win

By Howard B. Owens
Nov 20, 2023, 8:43pm

Scoring more than 100 points in a game is one way to ensure you punch your ticket to a state championship game, and that's how the Pembroke Dragons did it on Saturday, beating Section III's Frankfort-Schuyler Maroon Knights 107-64.

"I started my coaching career as a modified assistant for Batavia Football in 2007 I can honestly say I have never seen anything like this game in my entire career at any level of football," said Pembroke's head coach, Brandon Ricci.

The Dragons did it all on the ground -- not even arching a punt across the field.

Tyson Totten ran for 626 yards and 10 touchdowns. Ricci called his performance, "one of the most spectacular displays of athleticism in Dragon history."

Fullback Caleb Felski gained 146 yards and scored three touchdowns. He converted five two-point conversions.

QB Vijay Dhanda also ran for a TD.

The score by quarter:

1st quarter 28-16
2nd quarter 51-42
3rd quarter 91-56
4th quarter 107-64

Defensively the Dragons were led by Felski with 14 tackles, while Totten and Sean Pustulka each had 11. Jayden Mast, Jayden Bridge, Octavius Martin, Caleb Kimmel, Vijay Dhanda, and Jacob Johnson all had five or more tackles. Tyson also added an interception, while Pustulka had two picks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble on the day.

The Dragons take a 12-0 record in 8-man football when they play for the state championship in Cicero on Friday. They will meet another undefeated team, the Moravia Blue Devils, from Section IV.

Submitted info and photos.

Salamanca beats Le Roy as clock winds down in Far West Regional Championship game

By Howard B. Owens
Nov 20, 2023, 8:01pm

le roy football — *Le Roy QB Tommy Condidorio sweeps around the left end.*
*Photo by Ed Henry*

A touchdown 16-yard pass from Payton Bradley to Isaac Maddox with six seconds left in the Far West Regional broke a 13-13 tie, giving Salamanca the win 21-13 and delivering Le Roy its first and final defeat of 2023.

Scoring up to that point had been tit-for-tat on Saturday. Le Roy scored in the first quarter on a one-yard run by Drew Strollo, and Jack Currin converted the point-after. In the second, Arlen Newark scored on a 45-yard pass for Salamanca. Newark also kicked the extra point.

Le Roy answered two minutes later on a 3-yard run by Strollo, but the PAT kick was blocked.

Midway through the third quarter, Salamanca knotted things up on a 33-yard Isaac Maddox run but also had its kick blocked.

For Le Roy, Strollo gained 68 yards, scored two touchdowns, gained 17 yards on three receptions, and on defense had five tackles.

Tonny Piazza gained 77 yards on 19 carries. Tommy Condidoria was 4-7 passing for 12 yards. Holden Sullivan and D.J. O'Geen had six tackles each on defense.

The Oatkan Knights finish 2023 with an 11-1 record. That 11th win was the program's record-setting 16th Section V title.

Drew Strollo (far right) puts Knights on the scoreboard with this one-yard rush at end of the first quarter. — *Drew Strollo (far right) puts the Knights on the scoreboard with a one-yard rush at the end of the first quarter.*
*Photo by Ed Henry*

LeRoy defense swarms to the Salamanca back. — *The Le Roy defense swarms to the Salamanca's back.*
*Photo by Ed Henry*

Battles in the trenches was the order of the day. — *Battles in the trenches were the order of the day.*
*Photo by Ed Henry.*

LeRoy’s Xavien Walker breaks up a potential score at the goal line. — *Le Roy’s Xavien Walker breaks up a potential score at the goal line.*
*Photo by Ed Henry*

Morrill breaks Batavia track record with nine wins Saturday

By Kara Richenberg
Nov 20, 2023, 8:37am

Photo of E Street courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

Jim Morrill Jr. put on a driving clinic at Batavia Downs Saturday night (Nov. 18) winning nine of the 13 races on the card. Morrill’s run included a natural hat trick in races two through four, a natural grand slam in races seven through 10 and victories in both feature races. Morrill also had one third and posted an unbelievable .778 UDR for the night.

Morrill broke his own single night win record of eight that he set back in 2005 at Batavia and was tied a year later by John Cummings Jr.

Morrill won the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot with E Street, who ran his own personal win streak to four. E Street sat in the pocket behind Crazy Ritz (Jim McNeight Jr.) through quarters of :28.4, :59.3 and 1:29, and then continued to follow until the top of the stretch. It was there Morrill dipped into the passing lane and let E Street sprint to the line with no urging to win in 1:58.2.

E Street ($3.70) is owned by Elite harness Racing and trained by Rachelle Mungillo.

Morrill’s other feature win was with Venier Hanover in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace. Morrill put Venier Hanover on the point and dominated the field from there. After getting to the half in :56.3 with Parmesan N (Austin Sorrie) and Stranger Things (Jim McNeight Jr.) trying to keep pace, Morrill gave Venier Hanover his head and scorched a :27.3 third panel that put four lengths between him and the rest of the group. Venier Hanover then rounded the last turn and scooted home, wrapped up in 1:54.3.

It was the 52nd career win for Venier Hanover ($4.50) who is owned by Monique Cohen and trained by Shawn McDonough.

Morrill completed his nonagon with BJ’s Smitty (1:58.3, $14.00), Virgil N (1:54.1, $4.70), Play The Field (1:56.2, $5.50), Prairie Panther (1:55.4, $2.70), Credit List (1:58.2, $3.60) Rebellious (1:56.2, $2.20) -- who registered his 70th lifetime win -- and Vulcan Star N (1:54.4, $9.80).

Morrill started the night as the leading driver at the current Batavia meet with 147 wins, but just four ahead of Kevin Cummings (143). Now Morrill has a double-digit lead after the dust settled Saturday as he now has 156 wins to Cummings 145 (Cummings won two races as well).

Morrill also started the night with the second-highest UDR among all drivers in North America with a .436, just .001 behind J. Brandon Campbell (.437). Morrill may move into first place after Campbell registered a win and two seconds (.704 UDR for the night) in three starts at the Century Mile today in Edmonton, Alberta.

Mike Deters was the top trainer at Batavia on Saturday with three winners, all driven by Morrill.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 22) at 6 p.m. and there will be a $2,113 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Robbie Hanks fires 290--802; four Genesee Region bowlers cash at 60-and-Over event

By Press Release
Nov 20, 2023, 6:54am

Press Release:

Robbie Hanks added to his impressive record at his home bowling center this week when he registered an 802 series in the Thursday Men's Triples League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

Hanks, who is employed at the center owned by his father, Randy, rolled games of 290-268-244 for his seventh 800 series at Oak Orchard. He came through with two strikes and nine pins in the final frame to secure the honor score.

It is the first 800 series in league play in the Genesee Region USBC this season.

Elsewhere around the GRUSBC:

-- Jeff Parton stayed hot at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, spinning a 280 game and 741 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League. Steve O'Dell was close behind with 736.

-- Lefties Tom Baker and Rich Wagner led the way in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League at Mancuso Bowling Center with 278--751 and 265--742, respectively.

-- Michele Larson started with 244 en route to a 669 series in the Meyer's RV Monday NFL League at Mancuso's.

In tournament action:

-- The team of Ron Ricker, Josh Bowman and Greg Daniels captured first place at the 9th annual PAWS Triples No-Tap Tournament at Oak Orchard Bowl on Nov. 12, taking home the top prize of $750. Eighty-five teams competed in the event that raised about $4,000 for the PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion.

-- On Sunday, four GRUSBC bowlers cashed in the Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour stop at Oak Orchard Bowl. Fred Gravanda (623 qualifying score) and Kevin Gray Sr. (658) each made it to the second round, earning $110 each, and Mike Pettinella (687) and Bob Hodgson (596) made it to the first round of the finals, winning $80.

Dan Eberl and Mike Domicolo tied for first place, posting 236 in the title match, to split the first place ($400) and second place ($300) money.

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