Sports

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Batavia Downs hosted its second New York Sire Stakes events of the season and for the second time a new track record was set in the process. In town were the 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters, vying for $128,940 in purse money, split up in four divisions.

The new record came in the second division, race four, when Dejarmbro, with Jeff Gregory at the lines, trotted to a 3-1/2 length victory in 1:58.4, easily lowering Donttellmywife’s (also with Gregory) 1:59.3 mark set in 2008.

Starting from post two Gregory sent Dejarmbro out of the gate but quickly realized that Jim Morrill, Jr., leaving from the rail behind the front running New Identity, wanted to cut the mile so he took back to sit in the pocket.

New Identity got down to the half in a speedy :57.3 but was unable to shake Dejarmbro who was right there in second. It was obvious it was going to be a match race as the two talented freshmen opened up daylight on the rest of the field.

Midway on the final turn Gregory decided it was time to go and pulled Dejarmbro to the outside. Down the lane it was all Dejarmbro, under a very confident Gregory, as they trotted to command and wrote their names in the Downs' record books.

A modest Jeff Gregory made the record breaking mile sound easy: “I just let him do his own thing. He’s a very nice 2-year-old,” said Gregory.

Dejarmbro, a colt by Credit Winner-Armbro Déjà Vu, is trained by Jessica Okusko for the Purple Haze Stables.

The final stakes race of the evening went to Typical Newyorker with Jim Morrill, Jr. in the sulky, winning by 4-1/2 lengths in 2:02.3.

Typical Newyorker, a Conway Hall-Striking Sybil colt, moved to the front just before the quarter pole and showed the way throughout for his fifth win in a row. The only serious challenge came around the last turn when Proud Accolade and Jeff Gregory made a mild bid but Typical NewYorker, benefiting from soft early fractions, was up to it and went on to the much the best score. Proud Accolade held the second spot while Surface Tension, who sat in the pocket throughout but made a miscue in the stretch, had to settle for third. The modest fractions were :30.1, 1:02.1 and 1:33.2.

Typical Newyorker is trained by part owner John Hallett. He is also owned by Michelle Oglesby and Roger Doire.

“I really didn’t want to cut the mile but we were going so slow I had to come back out or I was afraid I was going to lose him,” Morrill commented. “As you can see we were going a very slow half and if I would have stayed in I think we would have been in trouble. He’s a nice little horse, Johnny’s done a nice job with him. He always gives 150 percent and is a pleasure to drive.”

Wednesday night’s other NYSS contests, worth $31,935 and $32,535, respectively, were won by:

2- Petruchio (Plesac-Portia); owner: Richard Balog; trainer: Linda Toscano; driver: Morrill Jr.; 2:00.2.

9- Whitewater Rapids (Credit Winner-Rapid Rail); owner/driver/trainer Ray Schnittker; Also owned by Hero Stables and Charles Iannazzo; 2:02.1. Batavia Downs Casino is currently racing Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Post time is 6:40 p.m.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Twenty-six New York bred square-gaiters will go at it in four New York Sire Stakes for purse money in excess of $31,000, each, when racing resumes on Wednesday night at Batavia Downs Casino.

The most anticipated of the four is the final division, carded as race 11 on the 12-race program. This event will feature a pair of colts that appear to have a very bright future.

Starting from the rail will be Typical New Yorker, a Conway Hall--Striking Sibyl colt who will put his four-race winning streak on the line after a measured, 1:58.3 victory on a “good” racetrack at Vernon Downs with Hall of Famer Wally Hennessey in the sulky. Jim Morrill, Jr. picked up the catch-drive for trainer John Hallett.

Surface Tension, a Cash Hall--Hopeful Gigi colt, will head to Batavia off a very impressive Vernon Downs score. The quickly improving juvenile trotted his back half in :57.2 en route to a 5-1/4 length tally. He will start from post seven for trainer-driver Dan Daley.

The New York Sire Stakes action will get underway in race two, a very contentious affair in which a case can be made for several, including the Credit Winner colts Petraeus and I’m The Answer, the Plesac colt Petruchio and the Conway Hall colt Daleydaydream.

Division two, race four, will be headlined by New Identity and Dejarmbro.

New Identity (Cash Hall--Ladys Mirror), a winner at Tioga Downs in 1:58.2 two starts back in New York Sire Stakes competition, should be tough from the rail with Jim Morrill, Jr. hopping into the bike for trainer George Ducharme.

Dejarmbro (Credit Winner--Armbro Déjà Vu) will ship to Western New York off a very unlucky trip in which he was interfered with. He was a daylight winner in 2:00 on August 1 at Tioga Downs. Jeff Gregory, recently named to the Batavia Downs Hall of Fame, will be in town to drive for Jessica Okusko.

The third New York Sire Stakes of the evening, carded as race nine, will be another interesting affair. Top billing may go to the Credit Winner colt Whitewater Rapids with former Downs regular Ray Schnittker in town to do the teaming.

Post time will be at 6:40 p.m. Racing programs are free of charge at www.bataviadownscasino.com. Simply click on “Live and Simulcast Racing” and then on “Race Info” to download a program. Batavia Downs is currently racing Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening. Racing fans wishing to make a clubhouse reservation can call 585-343-3750.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.