Sports

Photo of Miss Irish Rose A with driver Larry Stalbaum, courtesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The wind and rain blew into Genesee County prior to post time on Wednesday (Oct. 4) but the sun did come out for the first race. That combination may have helped Miss Irish Rose A bloom for a second straight week as she easily won the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Batavia Downs in impressive style.

Larry Stalbaum fired Miss Irish Rose A hard off the gate and crossed over to the pylons before anyone knew what happened. They may as well have put the finish line there because at that point, the race was over. Leading the rest of the way with a gapped advantage, Miss Irish Rose A cut the corners in :28, :57.1 and 1:25.4 where she opened up a six-length advantage. Stalbaum shut her down at the top of the lane but Miss Irish Rose A still paced home in :28.2 to win by over a length in 1:54.1.

It was the second consecutive win for Miss Irish Rose A ($3.20), her second win in North America and her second successive lifetime mark. Larry Stalbaum owns the 5-year-old McCardle progeny who is trained by Kim Asher.

In the $8,000 F&M Open II co-feature the Asher/Stalbaum playbook was still opened to the same page as Exotic Beach took a quick lead and toured the facility in front from there, winning by a length in 1:56 over an even muddier track. Exotic Beach ($5.70) scored her fifth win of the year for the Man from Matamoris, who owns this one as well.

Larry Stalbaum (Photo provided by Batavia Downs.)

It was quite a big night for the Larry Stalbaum/Kim Asher combination as they teamed up for seven wins on the card.  Besides Miss Irish Rose A and Exotic Beach, they also scored with Kaitlyn Rae (1:56.4, $6.70), Rockin Kasbah (1:57, $6.70), Quicksilvercandy A (1:56.4, $7.20), Cartoonist (1:56, $5.80) and Saint William A (1:57.4, $2.50).

The eighth win by Stalbaum was with Hitontheflipside (2:01, $19.00) who is trained by Jim Graham.

Stalbaum had 10 drives on the card with eight wins and one third and that gave him an unbelievable .833 UDR for the evening. 

The wielding of wins on Wednesday by Stalbaum vaulted him into second place among drivers for dash wins for the meet. Currently Drew Monti is on top with 68 wins, Stalbaum is now is second with 60 and Ray Fisher Jr. has dropped into third.

As far as Asher is concerned, she is now firmly in the lead for wins by a trainer this session with 40. That is seven more than JD Perrin who currently sits in second place as a result of the stellar night by the Asher entourage.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Oct. 6) with post time at 6 o'clock.

Press release:

The  No. 3 Genesee Community College men's soccer team took a 4-0 lead into the intermission before recording a 6-1 win over visiting Jamestown Community College Oct.4. The win was the Cougars' eighth in-a-row and left the team with a 9-2 record overall.

Philip Melo needed just a dozen minutes into the contest to notch the game's first two goals - the second of which was the official game winner.

Charlie Livesey then recorded three of his team-high six points on the team's next two goals for a 4-0 lead at the break. Livesey tallied once in each half, while earning assists on Ben Wattis' first-half goal and on Melo's game-winner to account for his impressive performance.

Rounding out the scoring was a second-half goal by Adam Price and an assist by Billy Murphy on the game's opening goal.

The Cougars out-shot the Jayhawks 29-6 overall, and 17-3 with shots on net. Leading the way in shots was Sam Hall with seven, while Melo added a half-dozen for the night.

Gaurav Cheema recorded two saves in the win, while the Cougars also held the edge in corner kicks, 9-2.

Genesee will travel to No. 4 Herkimer Oct. 7 with a 3 p.m. start. The Cougars leap-frogged over the Generals in the most recent National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association D-III Poll after Herkimer dropped a 3-2 game to Cayuga, a team the Cougars beat Sept. 20.

Photo: Curtis Kreutter/GCC

Press release:

The No. 1 Genesee Community College women's soccer remained undefeated in National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association D-III play with a 2-0 victory over visiting Jamestown Community College Oct. 4, while improving to 9-1-1 overall.

The shutout victory was the team's seventh overall and fifth in its last seven games. Although the score was close, the statistics for the contest were not.

The Cougars out-shot the Jayhawks 37-4 overall, with 25 Cougar shots finding their way on net. Five Cougars accounted for 17 of those shots on net with Katline Cartwright leading the way with five. Sara Zakes, Miko Yamashita, Allison Duhow and Jayna Wright all registered three shots on net with the latter three finding the scoresheet.

Wright scored the game-winner about 30 minutes into the contest, while Duhow added an insurance marker five minutes into the second. Yamashita got an official assist on the second goal and set up the play on the first goal that came off a rebound.

The Cougars were just as dominant in the corner kick category holding an 11-0 edge, while Jaclyn Guzdek recorded one save for the shutout.

Genesee's next game may be their toughest the rest of the regular season as they travel to No. 3 Herkimer, Oct. 7 with a 1 p.m. start. The best margin of comparison between the two teams involves games with No. 9 Corning. Although both of those games ended 3-2, the Cougars rallied from 2-0 to win, while the Generals never held a lead in a loss to the Red Barons.

Photo by Curtis Kreutter/GCC

Currently, four of the nation's top-10 teams in NJCAA D-III hail from Region III with Genesee at No. 1, Erie No. 2, Herkimer No. 3, and Corning No. 9.

Osprey Vision with reinsman Drew Monti, second from outside and pulling ahead.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The old wagering adage suggesting you bet the longest shot in the shortest field was right on point in the $10,000 Open Handicap Trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 29) as Osprey Vision scored big after being overlooked at 10-1 in the five-horse field.

With the late scratch of Lutetium, Noble Legend (Jim Morrill Jr.) decided to be the leader to follow this week and took that position shortly after the start. With a sloppy track and no early opposition, Morrill took the field down to the half in :58.1 and looked comfortable in doing so.

As the group was into the second circuit, Egosnattitudes (Larry Stalbaum) was motoring up on the outside with Osprey Vision (Drew Monti) second over. But halfway up the backstretch Egosnattitudes copped one and made a break, leaving Osprey Vision advancing alone towards the leader around the final turn. By the time the race hit the head of the lane Osprey Vision looked Noble Legend in the eye before trotting right by. Osprey Vision then maintained the lead while holding off the late charging Barn Winner (Ray Fisher Jr.) and BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) to win in 1:59.2.

Osprey Vision ($23.80) now has eight wins and $55,814 earned this year for owner Marissa Russo and trainer David Russo.

In the $8,000 Open II trot Empire Earl N (Larry Stalbaum) broke a six-week drought, coming from way off the pace at the half following dull outside cover before tipping three-deep off the last turn to close down the lane and win by a neck in 1:59.4.

Empire Earl N ($12) registered his sixth win of the year and bumped his bank to $55,590 for his owner who drives him, Larry Stalbaum. The New Zealand bred son of Earl is trained by Kim Asher.

Ray Fisher Jr. had a driving triple on Friday. Drivers scoring two wins included Drew Monti and Larry Stalbaum. Trainers getting two wins included Kim Asher, David Russo and Angelo Nappo.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Sept. 30) at 6 p.m.

Photo of Miss Irish Rose A with reinsman Larry Stalbaum.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Aussie invader Miss Irish Rose A, who was privately purchased from down-under on Aug. 23 by Larry Stalbaum, made her North American debut a winning one by taking the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 27) as heavy downpours moved through the area.

From the start, Machin Marley (Kevin Cummings) and Squeeze This (Jim Morrill Jr.) argued vehemently for the lead over the rain-soaked track and pushed the quarter to :28 flat. Machin Marley settled on the front around the second bend and proceeded to take the race to the half in :58. At that station the race became a two-tiered event with Who Says That (Ray Fisher Jr.), Classy Lane Rose (Drew Monti) and Miss Irish Rose A (Larry Stalbaum) advancing in the outer flow.

With three-in and three-out, there was a lot of action up the backside as Who Says That took the lead from Machin Marley for an eighth of a mile before Classy Lane Rose wrestled it from her at the three-quarter pole in 1:25.4. But Miss Irish Rose A was still on the attack and drew alongside the latest leader around the final turn, and then getting a slight advantage at the head of the stretch. It was Rose v. Rose as they headed for the finish; Classy Lane inside and Miss Irish outside. But despite a good fight, Miss Irish Rose A pulled away from her formidable foe about ten yards from the wire and won by a length in 1:54.2.

The 10th lifetime win for Miss Irish Rose A ($3) was not only her first in the northern hemisphere; it was also a lifetime mark for the 5-year-old daughter of McArdle. Kim Asher trains the winner.

In the $8,000 Mares Open II pace, Voltina (Kevin Cummings) abandoned her normal front-running posture in lieu of a two-hole trip to victory behind Mean Pauline (Shawn McDonough) courtesy of the passing lane in 1:56.1.

Voltina ($7.10) is owned by CHS Racing LLC and is trained by Tony Cummings.

Kevin Cummings had the driving hat-trick on Wednesday while Drew Monti, Larry Stalbaum and Ray Fisher Jr. each each had two wins apiece. Trainer Kim Asher also sent two from her stable to the winner’s enclosure.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Friday, Sept. 29) with post time at 6 o'clock.

Batavian Mary Ann Stone is among six division winners of the 37^th NYS Women’s Senior Singles Championships who have earned the opportunity to compete in the USBC Senior Championships next August in Reno, Nev.

Stone placed first in the 60-64 age classification at the state tournament last month at East Greenbush Bowling Center near Albany, posting 1,405 with handicap for six games.

The right-hander rolled 1,063 scratch – much better than her 153 average – to outdistance second-place Keesa Bess of Binghamton by 53 pins.  Stone won $160.

Her effort gives her the right to represent New York State at the national tournament, which is scheduled for Aug. 7-9, 2018, at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno.

Stone is part of a bowling family that includes husband, Roger; brother, local Hall of Famer Fred Gravanda, and cousin, Paul Spiotta, also a Hall of Famer.

The New York State USBC pays the entry fee and provides some expense money for those who bowl at the national level.

Around 550 women participated in the state tournament in six age groups – 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75 and over.

For more about the Women's Senior Singles Tournament and the NYS Open Senior Championships in Liverpool next month, go to www.bowlny.com.

PBA DEVELOPS NEW OIL PATTERNS TO MARK 60^TH YEAR

As it commemorates its 60^th anniversary, the GoBowling! Professional Bowlers Association is set to unveil 16 different oil patterns – including the new (and difficult) 45-foot Dragon and the new (and easy) Chris Paul “house shot.”

It’s a good idea, especially in light of the ever-changing technology that is dominating the sport.

According to a PBA news release, some of the revised patterns will be used during the season-opening GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling IX in Reno from Nov. 7-19.

Each of the patterns vary in length, oil volume and shape, and will be used exclusively during the GoBowling! PBA Tour, PBA50 Tour and PBA Regional program’s 2018 seasons. Each will include a number in its name to indicate the length of the pattern.

Some of the PBA tournaments and their patterns are as follows:

-- Cheetah 33, Chameleon 39, Scorpion 42, Shark 45 and Earl Anthony 42 patterns, World Series of Bowling IX, Nov. 7-19.
-- Don Johnson 40 pattern at the PBA Tournament of Champions in Akron, Feb. 5-11.
-- Dick Weber 45 at the Go Bowling! PBA 60th Anniversary Classic in Indianapolis, Feb. 13-18.
-- Carmen Salvino 44 at the Barbasol PBA Players Championship in Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 19-25.
-- Mark Roth 42 will be used for the Roth/Holman PBA Doubles Championship in Columbus, Ohio, Feb, 19-25, and for the PBA League competition in Portland, Maine, April 16-22.

The oil pattern library also will include the Dragon 45, Wolf 33, Viper 36, Bear 39 and Johnny Petraglia 36.

YOUTH ELIMINATOR, MORASCO EVENT SCHEDULED

Perry Bowling Center is hosting the 6^th annual Genesee Region USBC Youth Eliminator Tournament, featuring scholarships for the top eight bowlers (based on at least 24 entries), on Saturday, Oct. 28.

The tourney is open to Genesee Region USBC youth members only (boys and girls). The entry fee is $25 with each participant guaranteed at least four games.

The handicap event lists one squad – 12:30 p.m.

To enter, contact GRUSBC President Tom Fluker at 585-284-2637 or by email at tfstrikeforce@msn.com.

Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia is hosting the 2^nd annual Brian Morasco Memorial 3-Person Handicap No-Tap Tournament on Nov. 4, with squads at noon, 2 and 4 p.m.

First place, based on 48 entries, is $750.  Proceeds from the tournament and a basket raffle will go to Genesee Cancer Assistance and the Arthritis Foundation.

To enter, contact Mark Brown at 716-474-7960 or call Mancuso’s at 585-343-1319.

SPARE SHOTS: SCOPANO’S YOUTH SIGN-UPS THIS WEEKEND

-- Carrie Monachino is returning for a second year as coordinator of the Paradise Youth Junior League at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield and she reports the program will begin on Oct. 14 and run for 20 weeks through Feb. 24, 2018.

Sign-ups for the league are this weekend – from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at the 12-lane center on South Pearl Street.  The registration fee is $20.

Entrants (it’s open to boys and girls) must be at least 4 years old as of Aug. 1, 2017 or enrolled in either a UPK or Kindergarten for the 2017-18 school year. All squads will be comprised of mixed age groups to allow families to bowl at the same time.

The league also will be conducting a pulled pork BBQ fundraiser at Caryville Inn in Oakfield from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 5.

For more information, contact Carrie at 585-356-8307.

-- Medina Lanes produced a couple of honor scores on Sept. 21 as Curtis Foss rolled 299 and Joe Brower 290 in the Thursday Firefighters League. Rob Dennis picked the 4-6-7-10 (also known as the Double Pinochle or Big 4) on that night.

The league still has openings for teams and individuals.

Jim Foss, employee at Medina Lanes, said he is hoping to floor a Sunday morning coed handicap doubles league, with a target starting date of Oct. 15.  If you’re interested, call Medina Lanes at 585-318-4474.

-- At Perry Bowling Center, Chris Huntz strung 11 strikes before leaving the 2-4-5 in the Monday Night League on Sept. 18.

-- Fluker indicated that the Genesee Region Youth Travel League is expected to have at least 15 teams this season, including five from Mancuso Bowling Center.

Fluker said the league’s opening session is set for 12:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Mancuso’s. Other teams will be from Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion (three), Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen (two) and Perry, Mount Morris, Medina, Scopano’s and Legion Lanes in Le Roy.

-- The County Line Stone League at Scopano’s has bowled two weeks thus far, but can use a few more bowlers to fill teams. If you’re interested in bowling on a four-person team, contact Bruce Kraus, league secretary, at 716-695-5041.

Bill Hayes, president of Turnbull Heating & Air, poses with three members of the Turnbull Junior League at Mancuso Bowling Center that he will be sponsoring this season, from left, Ashlynn Shisler, Bailey Quilliam and Jack Pickard. Hayes has sponsored the league for about 20 years.