Photo of Center Attraction courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
After winning on the front-end just last week, Center Attraction completely changed strategies but still got the same results in the $13,500 Open pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Aug. 6) evening.
Jim McNeight Jr. got away last with Center Attraction while Imprincessgemma A (Shawn McDonough) was on the point, jousting with Forgot Thewallet A (Kyle Swift) through quarters of :27.2 and :55.3 over a rain affected track listed as good. When the race came out of turn three, the field started to bunch and Center Attraction had made her way to fifth, second-over on the outside.
Forgot Thewallet A stalled at three-quarters so Center Attraction tipped three-deep around her in the last turn. At the top of the lane, Center Attraction drew even with Imprincessgemma A and then confidently pulled away to the line where she won by a length in 1:56.1.
It was the third win of the year for Center Attraction ($10.80) who is owned by her trainer Robert Anderson, in partnership with Pamela Schieber.
Leading all drivers for wins on Tuesday were Joe Chindano Jr., who had a natural hat trick in races one, two and three and Dave McNeight III, who matched Chindano's output with a natural hat trick of his own in races eight, nine and 10.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 7) at 6 p.m.
Free full card 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.
Last Saturday’s, August 3, Rochester Chargers at Genesee County Spartans’ game has been canceled, meaning that the Northeastern Football Alliance squad will have a long layoff before its semifinal playoff game on Aug. 10.
Head Coach Harry Rascoe announced that the Rochester team has decided not to travel to Genesee County after being eliminated from playoff contention last weekend.
The Spartans will receive a forfeit victory, raising its final regular season record to 6-2 and overall mark to 7-2.
Lockport went undefeated in the semipro league’s Western Conference and will host the semifinal playoff match against the Spartans at 7 p.m. on Aug. 10. That game will be played at Outwater Memorial Park, 125 Outwater Drive, Lockport.
The semifinal winner will advance to the championship match, likely against the Eastern Conference-leading Southern Tier Stallions, on Aug. 17.
The New York Sire Stakes return to Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 7) and will feature 2-year-old male pacers that will go in two divisions for a total purse of $105,000. The 12 pacers will feature two undefeated leaders in the NYSS as well as both holding national ranking.
Travis Alexander’s Thirsty Thursday (Huntsville-Tequila Monday) and Jared Bakos’ Fast Choice (Courtly Choice-Fashion Guru) are mirror images of each other. They are both undefeated with two wins in two lifetime starts that both came in NYSS action with identical best winning times of 1:54.3. And this has them both tied in first for points (100) and earnings ($77,300) in their NYSS category so far this year. Their earnings currently also have them tied as the fifth richest 2-year-old male pacers in North America. And finally, neither one of them raced last week in the NYSS contest at Monticello Raceway.
Since both are undefeated, they have obviously never gone head to head in a race yet and that will be the case once again on Wednesday.
Thirsty Thursday will be in the first $52,500 division and has drawn post two for regular driver Matt Kakaley and the competition will be looking to hand him his first loss.
Courts On Fire (Courtly Choice-Ashlee’s Spitfire) has not missed the board in three career starts, having finished one-two-three in NYSS action to this point. He took his lifetime mark of 1:55.3 just last week at Monticello in a convincing 2-1/4 length romp as the heavy favorite. He is currently third for points (87) and earnings ($54,183) and will look to improve that position here.
Blake Macintosh has Greg Merton aboard from post three.
Meltdown Monte (Huntsville-Sage N) is winless this year but has finished third in two NYSS starts. He has shown to be quite versatile in those two outings and drawing post one will definitely help his chances.
Tyler Buter will steer for trainer Scott Di Domenico.
Fast Choice will start from post one in the second $52,500 split with Doug McNair at the lines. He is coming off a scratch last week at Monticello but will look to regain his momentum against some tough competition.
Silent Weapon (Huntsville-D D Delightful) has hit the board in all three of his lifetime starts and is coming off a 6-1/2 length, 1:54.4 runaway victory at Monticello in NYSS action. He certainly looks like he has just hit his stride and will be more than formidable in this race.
Matt Kakaley will steer for this other Alexander-trained entry and will start from post four.
Groovin Will (Roll With Joe-Who Moved The Rock) won his last start in Excelsior action at Monticello and it was an impressive 1:54.1 lifetime best. He makes the leap to the NYSS here, but does it off the best race of his life and he should be considered a threat.
Trainer Blake Macintosh has Greg Merton between the wheels, who piloted him to victory last week.
The NYSS are carded as race six and eight. There are also three $20,000 Excelsior events programmed as race two, four and 10. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.
Photo of Stranger Things courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
A pair of $13,500 Open Handicaps – one on the pace and one on the trot – highlighted the Saturday (Aug. 3) night card at Batavia Downs and both events provided exciting finishes.
In the pacing feature, Stranger Things (Jim Morrill Jr.) tripped out to victory with a fast finish.
Vel Mr. Nice Guy (Joe Chindano Jr.) and Stranger Things lined up one-two off the gate and skated through very soft fractions of :28.2 and :58.2 before Scribblers (Kyle Swift) led the charge on the outside heading into turn three. Chindano picked up the pace with Vel Mr. Nice Guy with a :27.4 third quarter and that erased Scribblers advance. But as that one faded around the final bend, it gave Stranger Things a clear path from the pocket to the middle of the track. At the top of the stretch, Morrill simply loose-lined Stranger Things who then just paced right buy Vel Mr. Nice Guy on his own to win by one-half length in 1:54.2.
It was the second win in the last three starts for Stranger Things ($12.80) who is owned by Kathy Schoeffel and James Reuther and trained by Angelo Nappo.
Morrill ended the night with a grand slam in the bike as he also won with Tiger Baron (1:54.3, $2.50), Sleeping Single (1:55.4, $4.80) and Stay Safe (1:59.3, $2.30).
Then in the top trot, Power And Grace (Drew Monti) hung tough late to beat the boys and claim her 65th career victory.
E Street (Kevin Cummings) grabbed the front first and yielded to Power And Grace at the :27.2 quarter. But as soon as she seated, Crazy Ritz (Jim McNeight Jr.) took the lead from her as they trotted past three-eights. But immediately, Monti pulled Power And Grace back out at the half and went back to the top, and this time for good. E Street pulled back out from third in the clubhouse turn and trotted alongside Crazy Ritz in second to three-quarters in 1:26.4. But that bid failed leaving Crazy Ritz clear to take his best shot. He pulled heading into the stretch and incrementally drew alongside Power And Grace. Both horses dug in for the line but Power And Grace was too good and hung on to win in 1:56.4.
It was the ninth win of the year and 65th Lifetime victory for Power And Grace ($6.00) who is owned by Hartel Maintenance, Lormer McClure, Brett Macdonald and Reg Higgs. Ronald Macdonald trains the 9-year-old daughter of Holiday Road-Mark Of Honour who has hit the board in 71% of her 202 career starts and sports a lifetime win percentage of 32%.
Monti scored the hat trick at the lines after also winning with I’m Already Gone (1:55.3, $13.40) and Maskedman (1:55.4, $4.40).
Sam Smith led all trainers on Saturday with two wins.
Photo of Gaston Guindon courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Batavia Downs driving legend Gaston Guindon visited the track on Saturday and he was greeted by throngs of fans who vividly recalled his decades of driving dominance over the Genesee County oval. Guindon topped the local driver colony throughout the 1980’s and 90’s while winning many driving titles there during that time. The native of Buckingham, Quebec that made western New York his home for many years, left an indelible mark on the local harness racing scene while setting a standard of driving excellence that is still revered today. Guindon’s 3,080 wins and $7 million in purses highlighted a career that wrapped up in 2004 when “The Gasser” officially retired.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Aug. 6) at 6 p.m. and there will be a $1,004 carryover in the Super Hi-5 in race 12.
Free full card 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.
Photo of Power And Grace courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Photo of Howlenthehills courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Press Release:
Two $57,000 divisions of New York Sire Stake 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings lined up at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 31) evening and a pair of heavily favored Travis Alexander trainees, Howlenthehills (American Ideal-Arielle Lynn) and Huntingforchrome (Huntsville-All On Top Hanover), who were directed by driver Matt Kakaley, put on impressive performances to secure victories in both contests.
In the first event, Howlenthehills maintained his control from post one and led the field that lined up in post position order through quarters of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:26.1 without any provocations from behind. Halfway through the final turn, Boston Rocks (Jason Bartlett) vacated the garden spot and took his best shot at the leader. But after Boston Rocks got within a length at the top of the stretch, Howlenthehills simply pulled away under a line drive by Kakaley to win in 1:53.3.
It was the third straight win and eighth win in the last nine starts for Howlenthehills ($3.40) who has now earned $268,850 this year for owner Symmetry Stable.
Then in the second split, Huntingforchrome got away last by almost 10 lengths as Vandiemen Bluechip (Braxton Boyd) called the shots on top. While Taranaki (Kevin Cummings) was breathing down his back, Vandiemen Bluechip backed down the half to a tepid :58.3 while stacking up the field before they all entered the third turn.
When the group moved past five-eighths, Brett Beckwith pulled the right line on Ameritric from fourth and Huntingforchrome followed as the pace quickened to three-quarters in :28 flat. Then as they moved through the final bend, Ameritric could not gain ground on Vandiemen Bluechip so Kakaley tipped Huntingforchrome three-high as they entered the stretch. From there, Huntingforchrome closed out a sparkling :26.4 final quarter by bolting for home under no urging whatsoever to win by 1-½ lengths in 1:53.4.
It was the second win in the last four starts for Huntingforchrome ($2.10) who is owned by NY Seb Inc.
Howlenthehills and Huntingforchrome were both bred by Crawford Farms.
There were also three $20,000 Excelsior races on the card and one of them went faster than both NYSS events.
Escape To America (American Ideal-Flirtiscape) won easily in 1:53.1 for driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Deborah Daguet for owners/breeders John Darrah and Lawrence Keethe.
Bruce’s Vo N Coke (Huntsville-Better Chill Out) won in 1:54.1 with Bartlett also in the bike for trainer John Berger and owner/breeder Joe Meany.
Printville (Huntsville-Thumbprint) scored in 1:53.3 for driver Brett Beckwith and trainer George Ducharme for owner Purple Haze Stables. John Newman bred the winner.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 3) at 6 p.m.
Free full card 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.
Photo of Huntingforchrome courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Reed Marcum on the mound for Batavia in the sixth inning. Photo by Howard Owens.
The Elmira Pioneers entered the fourth inning of Wednesday's rain-suspended West Division championship game ready to hit.
Matt Misiti, who tossed three innings on Tuesday before the downpour started, returned to the mound and recorded only one out while surrendering three runs, giving Elmira a 3-2 lead.
On the regular season, Misti was 4-0 with a 1.36 ERA 34 strikeouts.
The Pioneers scored again in the fifth and added on two more in the ninth to take the division title 6-3.
Trevor Dutra, who homed on Tuesday as part of a Muckdogs two-run third inning and gave Batavia the lead before the rain started, was 2-3 in the game.
The Muckogs had a regular season record of 34-8 while Elmira was 24-18.
Elmira next faces the Amsterdam Mohawks (35-7 in the regular season) for the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League championship.
Since entering the league in 2021, the Muckdogs have finished 22-19 (third place), 30-15, 27-16, and this year, 34-8. This season represents the third straight year that Batavia has finished with the best record in the West Division.
Photos by Howard Owens
Photo by Howard Owens.
Skipper Joey Martinez heading to the mound in the seventh inning for a pitching change. Photo by Howard Owens.
Photo of Center Attraction courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
After a lengthy rain delay due to a mid-summer deluge that moved through Genesee County halfway through the card, a full field of of top class mares convened in the $13,500 Distaff Handicap pacing feature that was won by Center Attraction.
A stiff tussle for front-end dominance took place off the gate between Summer Lovin (Kevin Cummings), Imprincessgemma A (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Center Attraction (Jim McNeight Jr.) with Center Attraction forging her way to the lead in a swift :27.1. From there she took control of the race with Summer Lovin securely tucked in the pocket. Center Attraction then made her way to the half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:25.4 without any pressure from behind. But after the girls made their way into the last turn, Summer Lovin popped the deuce and advanced towards the leader. The two mares paced side by side to the top of the stretch where Center Attraction separated herself by a neck and won in 1:55.2.
It was the 25th career win for Center Attraction ($4.60) who is owned by her trainer Robert Anderson, in partnership with Pamela Schreiber.
Jim McNeight Jr. was the top driver at the Downs on Tuesday after he scored a grand slam in the bike. Besides Center Attraction, McNeight also won with Escape The House (1:56.3, $4.80), Lunar Credit (2:00.1, $3.50) and Walk It Talk It (1:56.2, $6.10).
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 31) at 6 p.m.
Free full card 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.
The two hottest pacers currently competing in the 3-year-old colts and geldings division of the New York Sire Stakes will be at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 31) for a head to head tilt in the first of two $57,000 divisions that highlight the stellar mid-week card.
Howlenthehills (American Ideal-Arielle Lynn) has been on a tear this year, winning seven out of his eight starts with one second as well. That lone defeat came by only one-half length in the $225,000 MGM Messenger Stake final at Yonkers Raceway last month to his stablemate, Sweet Beach Life. Other than that, he’s been a wrecking ball since April over every track surface he’s been on. He is undefeated in NYSS action this year, took a 1:50.1 lifetime mark at Vernon Downs in June and his overall efforts currently place him as the fourth richest 3-year-old male pacer in North America to date.
Boston Rocks (Boston Red Rocks-Scirocco Sarah) has started four times in NYSS action this year, winning twice and finishing second twice, with those two losses coming to Howlenthehills. His lifetime mark came in an overnight at Mohegan Sun Pocono when he paced around their red surface in 1:51.4 while pulling away by 7-1/2 lengths. He rolled that win into another devastating performance in his last start at Monticello Raceway, where he won his split of the NYSS in 1:52.3 by nine lengths in a laugher.
These two pacers have a lot in common.
Howlenthehills is the top point-getter (150) and highest earner ($101,600) in his NYSS classification while Boston Rocks is tied with him for points (150) while sitting second right behind him for earnings ($94,650)
But they also have a couple outstanding differences.
Howlenthehills was winless as a 2-year-old, including seven starts in the NYSS, and only earned $36,381. While in his first year of racing, Boston Rocks won four races, including three NYSS legs and the $225,000 final before making an appearance in the Breeders Crown final. All of which earned him $352,922.
The other major difference is Howlenthehills is a gelding while Boston Rocks is a colt. So there are two track records in jeopardy on Wednesday as a result of this match-up.
The Batavia Downs standard for a 3-year-old pacing gelding is 1:51.2 while for a 3-year-old pacing colt is 1:52.2, so this is something that bears watching.
Howlenthehills has drawn post one for trainer Travis Alexander and will tour the facility with Matt Kakaley once again in tow while Boston Rocks has post two, with his regular reinsman Jason Bartlett in the bike for trainer Mike Deters.
In the second division, Alexander will also be starting Huntingforchrome (Huntsville-All On Top Hanover) who is another horse who could stake a claim at a new track record as he comes into this start with a lot of asterisks, but also a lot of speed.
Huntingforchrome started out the year with two NYSS starts that yielded one second place finish for then trainer Jenn Bongiorno. Two weeks after that, the gelding found himself in Travis Alexander’s barn and has been a speed show on the Grand Circuit ever since.
His first start for Alexander was in the Meadowlands Pace elimination where he was race timed in 1:49.3, but he was rigged incorrectly according to Alexander in an interview after the race. With the proper changes made, Huntingforchrome then won a 3-year-old Open pace at the Meadowlands in a sparkling lifetime best 1:48.1, finished second in 1:49.1 by 1-3/4 lengths in the Adios elimination at the Meadows and then finished fourth in the Adios final by only 2-1/2 lengths while being race timed in 1:49.4. That start was only four days removed from this NYSS outing at Batavia, which is his first NYSS tilt since mid-June.
Alexander has Matt Kakaley in the bike behind Huntingforchrome and they will start from post five in this event.
His main competition appears to be Ameritric (American Ideal-Electric Fool) who is the only starter in this field with a NYSS victory this year, coming in a lifetime best 1:52.3 outing at Buffalo. Other than that, Ameritric has won three overnights and has posted the highest earnings of this group this year ($68,750).
Brett Beckwith will take the reins for trainer George Ducharme from post three.
Taranaki (Huntsville-Free Fi Girl) is as consistent as a horse can be, finishing seven out of nine starts in the money with four straight checks in the NYSS. He has gate speed and having drawn post one, will be in the mix from start to finish.
Trainer Paul Jessop has called upon local leading driver Kevin Cummings to steer this week.
The New York Sire Stake divisions will go as race seven and nine while the three $20,000 Excelsior races are carded as three, five and 11. Post time for race one is at 6 p.m.
Trevor Dutra delivered a bomb over the right field wall in the bottom of the third inning of Tuesday's division championship game to give the Muckdogs a 1-0 lead over Elmira.
The game was suspended at the start of the fourth inning because of a heavy downpour drenching Batavia.
The Muckdogs have a 2-0 lead in the suspended game after Caleb Walker scored on a wild pitch later in the bottom of the third.
The game resumes on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Tickets from Tuesday's game are still valid.
The Batavia Muckdogs opened the postseason with a 4-2 win over Jamestown at Dwyer Stadium on Monday.
Batavia finished the regular season with a 34-8 record for a .802 win percentage, 10 games ahead of second-place Elmira and the second-best record in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League. The Amsterdam Mohawks finished 35-7 for a .833 win percentage.
Jamestown, 19-25 in the regular season, opened the scoring with two runs in the second on an RBI single by Leo Doyle. Two batters later, Aidan Wallace scored on a wild pitch.
The Muckdogs answered in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI single by T.J. Morris and tied the game in the bottom of the third when Travis Hammond scored on a fielder's choice.
Hammond again scored in the sixth on a fielder's choice in the sixth to give the Muckdogs the lead.
Batavia picked up an insurance run in the eighth after Shaun Pope walked to open the inning (replaced on the basepaths by James Mason), a single by Travis Hammond, a walk to Jake Butler, and finally a walk, forcing a run in (Mason) to Cooper Romich.
The win was credited to Garrett Beaver, who took the mound in the sixth, relieving Gage Wheaton (Penfield/Niagara University), who went five innings, giving up four hits, two runs, and striking out five Tarp Skunks.
Hammond was 2-2 with a walk at the plate, scoring two runs.
To keep their season going, the Muckdogs need another win on Tuesday night against Elmira at Dwyer Stadium. Game time is 6:35 p.m.
Batavia Downs opened its 2024 summer/fall meet on Saturday night. The 3-year-old pacing filly division of the New York Sire Stakes was in town, featuring two six-horse fields that vied for $58,100 each.
The first division was won by A Few Choice Words (Courtly Choice-Top Choice Hanover), who made every station a winning one.
Jim Marohn Jr. put A Few Choice Words on the point off the gate and skated through fractions of :28.2, :57.2 and 1:25.3 before Stepabovetherest (Braxton Boyd) pulled from third and tried to advance. But the closest she would get to the leader would be second, next to the pocket-sitting Leanne’s Choice (Marcus Miller) because A Few Choice Words turned for home and paced with authority to the line where she won in 1:54.
It was the third win in a row and sixth out of the last seven for A Few Choice Words, who is owned by Clancy Farms and trained by Blake Macintosh.
Then there was an upset in the second division when She’s Epic (American Ideal-Booya Beach) shook loose and flew home late at 15-1.
Camerican (Jim Morrill Jr.) grabbed the lead from Peace Talks (Jim Marohn Jr.) just before the quarter and then tempered the pace to the half in :57.4. Camerican continued her easy lead around the third turn and up the backstretch until She’s Epic (Tyler Buter) pulled from fourth and made her way to second by three-quarters in 1:26.4. She’s Epic pulled alongside Camerican and the pace got decidedly more intense as the fillies matched strides around the final bend and into the stretch. Despite their best efforts, neither girl could get ahead until three pylons from the wire where She’s Epic lived up to her name and rode a :26.4 final panel to a one-half length victory in 1:54.
It was the third win of the year for She’s Epic ($33.40) who is owned by John Cummins and trained by Travis Alexander.
Buter got the hat trick on Saturday after winning two $20,000 Excelsior legs with Hurricaneaphrodite (1:54, $3.90) for trainer John McDermott and Tempville (1:56.1, $4.90) for trainer George Ducharme. Ducharme also trained the winner of the third Excelsior leg, Villannah (1:55.2, $13.80) driven by Jim Morrill Jr. who also had a hat trick on Saturday night.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (July 30) at 6 p.m.
All connections of horses who will be racing at Batavia Downs this year should note that a new text line has been established to relay vital information regarding draws and racing action for the upcoming meet that will start on Saturday, July 27.
Horsemen and women can sign up for this service by texting bataviadowns at 407-536-9945.
Please note that this number has changed since the start of this service two weeks ago. If you originally subscribed at 732-363-7700, you need to re-subscribe to the new number listed.
By subscribing to this service, you will be notified immediately when there is a need to fill races or if there is any change in schedule. So all are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.
The New York Sire Stakes will make its first stop of 2024 at Batavia Downs on Saturday (July 27) night when a select group of 3-year-old pacing fillies will line up in two six-horse divisions valued at $58,100 each. This will be the fifth leg of the state series this year for these girls and they should be in prime form for some big efforts.
In the first division, Stepabovetherest (Huntsville-Step Beyond) has only made four starts this year, but one of them was a 1:52.3 win in an Excelsior leg at Tioga Downs while another was her career best, 1:49.4 victory at Vernon Downs in the NYSS, where she won by 1-1/2 lengths. She then missed three weeks before her next start, which was a fourth place finish in the NYSS at Saratoga Raceway. She may have been short with the extra time off and could get back to her regular form here.
Stepabovetherest has drawn post three for trainer Nicholas Devita who has regular driver Braxton Boyd aboard for this race.
A Few Choice Words (Courtly Choice-Top Choice Hanover) was a perfect four-for-four in Excelsior action earlier this year, including her lifetime mark of 1:51.4 at Vernon Downs, before moving up to the NYSS in her last start at Saratoga where she won again in 1:54.1. This week she drew a favorable inside post and looks to get win number six of the year.
Moving inside for the first time in three weeks, Jim Marohn Jr. will be in the bike again and begins from post two for trainer Blake Macintosh.
Leanne’s Choice (Courtly Choice-Village Madonna) was winless in three NYSS starts before dropping down to Excelsior action where she got her first win of 2024. She bumped back up to the NYSS level in her last start and put in a brilliant effort, finishing third in a 1:53.2 mile at Saratoga. With the pylon position here, She is definitely a player.
Erv Miller has Marcus Miller between the wheels once again from post one.
In the second split, Peace Talks (American Ideal-Triple V Hanover) is the top money earner for this age and gender in the NYSS so far this year with two wins and four second place finishes in six 2024 starts. One of those wins was a 1:50.4 lifetime best win at Tioga Downs in June. Peace Talks, who was the NYSS 2-year-old filly pacing champion, has come back very strong this year and is looking to defend her title. Early indications are she has a very good shot at doing that.
Starting from mid-pack post four, Jim Marohn Jr. will be up behind the filly for the first time this year for trainer Chris Ryder.
Camerican (American Ideal-Camille) comes into this event on a two race win streak that includes a victory in the $90,000 Park MGM filly pace final and a seasonal mark of 1:53.2 at Saratoga. Last year, Camerican was a multiple NYSS winner who finished third in that final along with a third place finish in the Breeders Crown behind winner My Girl EJ. She also took her lifetime mark of 1:50.2 during her first year of racing when she won the International Stallion Stake at the Red Mile. Camerican has already been race timed faster this year in a 1:50.1 mile at Vernon Downs three starts ago where she finished third.
Trainer Ron Burke has assigned Jim Morrill Jr. duty at the lines for this outing and they will start from post six.
The NYSS races will go as races eight and 10. There are also three $20,000 Excelsior races on the card and they are programmed as races five, six and 11.
Post time for the first race on the season opening card at Batavia Downs is 6 p.m.
Live harness racing returns to Batavia Downs on Saturday (July 27) as the 2024 summer/fall season gets underway with a full 15-race card that starts at 6 p.m. The season runs through Saturday (Dec. 7) and features a 56-day meet.
The opening night card includes the first visit of the year from the New York Sire Stakes as the 3-year-old pacing fillies will be on hand to compete in two $58,100 divisions. There will also be three Excelsior races going for $20,000 each, bringing the total stake purses available that night to $176,200.
The live schedule changes several times throughout the year. It starts out with a Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday schedule through August 17. Then it switches to Wednesday, Friday, Saturday through November 23 with the exception of Friday (Sept. 6) which will be dark due to the special Monday (Sept. 2) Labor Day matinee card starting at 1:15 p.m. The final two weeks of the meet cut back to Wednesday, Saturday. Post time for all race days -- with the exception of the Labor Day matinee -- will be at 6 p.m.
Once again, there is a hearty slate of New York Sire Stake action. The state-bred series will be in action on Saturday (July 27-$103,000 3-year-old filly pace), Wednesday (July 31-$103,000 3-year-old colt pace), Wednesday (Aug. 7-$93,000 2-year-old colt pace), Wednesday (Aug. 14-$93,000 2-year-old filly pace), Wednesday (Aug. 21-$93,000 2-year-old colt trot), Saturday (Aug. 24$103,000 3-year-old colt trot and $103,000 3-year-old filly trot) and Wednesday (Aug. 28-$93,000 2-year-old filly trot).
Also on that NYSS double-header 3-year-old colt and filly trotting card on Saturday (Aug. 24) will be the Down’s signature event, the Robert J. Kane Memorial Invitational pace that will go for $100,000 this year. Free Kane Pace T-shirts will be given away on that night.
Don Hoover, Director of Live Racing at Batavia Downs, looks to build on the record wagering that the track realized earlier this year.
“I am looking forward to the upcoming meet, anticipating that the momentum from the highly successful winter meet will continue for the remainder of this year. We set several betting records during our early year meet and hopefully we can keep that going during this session,” said Hoover.
Looking to drive that momentum is Tom Agosti, who recently joined the staff at Batavia Downs as the new race secretary. He will be responsible for putting together the competitive fields that will be featured throughout the year.
Agosti has established a new text line to relay vital information regarding draws and racing information for the upcoming meet. Horsemen and women can sign up for this service by texting bataviadowns to 732.363.7700. Subscribing to this service will be advantageous to all when it comes to filling races or having immediate knowledge of any changes in schedule. All are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.
Bettors will have plenty of opportunities with a wagering menu that includes three Doubles, 10 Exactas, 10 Trifectas, nine Superfectas, two Pick-3’s, two Pick-4’s, one Pick-5 and one Jackpot Super High Five available on every 10-race card.
All the top drivers will be back including last year’s top five leaders Jim Morrill Jr., Kevin Cummings, Dave McNeight III, Kyle Cummings and James McNeight Jr.
Leading trainers Sam Smith, Shawn McDonough, Dave Russo, Tammy Cummings, James Rothfuss and Ryan Swift will also be back along with a host of others.
The clubhouse will be open for all race dates and offer a varied menu. Every Friday and Saturday will feature a buffet while the other race nights have a menu provided by the Center Street Smokehouse. The Railbar will always be open for live racing.
Patrons will also have plenty of promotions to look forward to throughout the year.
On opening night there will be free programs in the grandstand and the Lotta Cash Giveaway, where customers can deposit non-winning tickets wagered on Batavia Downs races for a chance to win two $250 betting vouchers and a Batavia Downs Gaming Play and Stay package that includes one night’s stay at the Batavia Downs Gaming Hotel, $25 in gaming Free Play and a $50 dinner certificate to Fortune’s.
The Play and Stay promotion will also be held every Wednesday during the meet where customers can deposit non-winning tickets wagered on Batavia Downs races for a chance to win a Batavia Downs Gaming Play and Stay package that was previously described.
Also on Wednesday is the Finale Frenzy promotion where you get $25 gaming Free Play when you wager $25 on the last race at Batavia Downs.
And there is also the Early Bird Daily Double, where you receive $10 in gaming Free Play when you wager at least $10 at the same time on the Early Daily Double.
Plus every live racing program includes a $5 gaming Free Play coupon.
All promotions require participants be Players Club members and gaming Free Play is subject to required base points being earned before redemption. Full rules are available in the program and online.
You can watch all the live racing action for free on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel and free, full past performance programs for every live race night will be available on the Batavia Downs website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the live racing tab.
Genesee County Spartans’ wide receiver Deyonci Farley is on his way to a touchdown after taking a pass from quarterback Corey Turpin during Saturday’s 12-6 win over the visiting Ithaca Warriors. Photo by Lauren Donovan.
Press Release:
In a game that came down to the final play, the Genesee County Spartans defeated the Ithaca Warriors, 12-6, on Saturday night in Northeastern Football Alliance semipro action at Pembroke Town Park.
Linebacker Marley English and defensive backs Jzon Henderson and Max Rapone stopped Ithaca quarterback Joshua Mims just three yards from the end zone as time ran out to secure the victory for the Spartans, now 4-2, and still alive for a playoff berth in the league’s Western Conference.
The top two teams in each conference will advance to the playoffs. The Lockport Wildcats lead at 7-0, followed by the Spartans at 4-2 and Rochester Chargers at 3-3.
The Spartans are off until Aug. 3 when they will host Rochester for a 5 p.m. contest. Rochester has a home game next Saturday against the unbeaten Wildcats.
“We escaped with a win tonight, but we’ll have to be much better against Rochester and, hopefully, for the playoff game against Lockport,” said Spartans Head Coach Harry Rascoe. “We need to avoid turnovers and capitalize on our opportunities. Tonight’s game should not have been that close.”
Against Ithaca, the Spartans’ points came as a result of a field goal, safety, touchdown and point-after-touchdown kick.
Julia Petry opened the scoring midway through the first quarter by kicking a 22-yard field goal, capping a short drive set up by Marley’s interception at the Ithaca 25.
Neither team scored again until the 3:55 mark of the third quarter when Spartans’ defensive tackle Gunner Rapone and English tackled David Crow, Ithaca’s other QB, in the end zone for a safety, making the score 5-0.
The safety came one play after Genesee County was thwarted on four straight running attempts from the 1-yard line.
The Spartans increased their lead to 11-0 with four minutes left in the fourth quarter when QB Corey Turpin connected with wide receiver Deyonci Farley for a 34-yard TD. Farley caught the ball in the right flat, avoided a defender and sprinted to the end zone. Petry’s extra point kick made it 12-0.
Ithaca struck back quickly, however, when Mims hit Patrick Twum for a 45-yard touchdown. A pass for the two-point conversion fell incomplete, leaving the score at 12-6.
Genesee County ran six plays, taking two minutes off the clock, but turned the ball over on downs with 1:31 to play. Taking over at the Spartans’ 40, Mims completed a couple passes to get the ball to the 8-yard line, stopping the clock with five seconds left.
From there, Mims scrambled before taking off down the middle of the field and running into the trio of Spartans’ defenders who combined for the potential game-saving tackle.
Statistically, Spartans’ running back Jed Reese had a busy night, carrying 22 times for 106 yards. Turpin completed nine of 13 passes for 114 yards, a TD and two interceptions.
Defensively, Henderson and lineman Steve Kowalczyk had interceptions, linebacker Kaden Marucci recovered a fumble and Gunner Rapone recorded a sack.
Rascoe, noting his team’s statistical advantage, credited both lines for “controlling the line of scrimmage” but said he’s looking for his team’s skill position players to dominate going forward.
Local youth football players and cheerleaders were recognized at halftime on “Youth Football Night” at Pembroke Town Park. Photo by Mike Pettinella.
Muckdogs starter Matt Misiti went six scoreless innings, giving up only two hits and striking out six, to help Batavia to its 24th win of the season.
The home team beat Geneva 7-0.
Misiti lifted his record on the season to 3-0 and lowered his ERA to 0.87.
The Muckdogs are 7 1/2 games ahead of second-place Auburn in the West Division
Travis Hammond, Justin Espinal and Jacob Veczko each gathered two hits for Batavia. Shaun Pope picked up two RBIs.
Earlier on Saturday, the Batavia Muckdogs hosted the Challenger baseball clinic for clients of Arc GLOW and before the evening game, one of the participants was part of the first-pitch ceremony. Photo by Nick Serrata
Former Olympic Swimmer for Estonia Jana Kolukanova, who attended Auburn University and is now a Batavia resident, throws a first pitch. Photo by Nick Serrata
All connections of horses pointed towards racing at Batavia Downs this year should note that a new text line has been established to relay vital information regarding draws and racing action for the upcoming meet that will start on Saturday, July 27.
Horsemen and women can sign up for this service by texting bataviadowns to 732-363-7700. Subscribing to this service will be advantageous to all when it comes to filling races or having immediate knowledge of any changes in schedule, so all are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.
Don Hoover, Director of Live Racing at Batavia Downs, has announced that Tom Agosti has been named as the new race secretary for Batavia Downs starting with the 2024 summer/fall live meet.
“Since coming to Batavia, I have been serving double-duty as both director of live racing and race secretary and in order to have both positions be better managed, I have decided to hire Tom to handle the daily draws so I can concentrate more on running the business,” said Hoover.
“With Tom’s knowledge of the local horse colony and their connection’s needs for proper classification, having him write the condition sheet here to be reflective of the meet they are coming from will be advantageous to all racing participants.”
Agosti has been a fixture on the western New York harness racing circuit since 1977 when he launched a 31-year driving career that ended in 2011 due to back issues. During that time, Agosti won 1,435 races, $4.4 million in purses and multiple driving titles.
Shortly after parking his race bike for the final time, Agosti was hired as the assistant race secretary at Buffalo Raceway in 2011, moved to the top spot there in 2014 and has held that position ever since.
Agosti has also served as the race secretary at The Red Mile early meet since 2016 along with his duties as charter and program director. He has given up his positions there to transition to the Batavia job.
Although Agosti loved being in Kentucky, he said the opportunity to take the Batavia position was something he could not pass up.
"Working at the Red Mile was great. I loved the people down there and it was just an overall great environment to be in. But it was only three months out of the year. The position at Batavia amounts to seven months overall, including the winter meet, and the best thing is I get to go home every night," said Agosti.
"Like Don, I also feel having a uniform condition sheet bridging the two meets will be beneficial for all the local horsemen and will also help the smaller stables be more successful year round. Our main objective here is to have the racing be fair and equitable for everyone involved."
Live racing kicks off at Batavia Downs on Saturday, July 27 at 6 p.m.
Batavia erased a two-run deficit in the sixth inning of Wednesday's home game against Geneva in front of a capacity crowd on an Independence celebration fireworks night and beat Geneva 7-5.
The Muckdogs improved to a 18-4-1 on the season.
Garrett Brunstetter, who pitched an inning of hitless and scoreless ball, picked up the win.
Starter Ty Woods went five innings, surrendering four hits and three runs (one earned).
James Bolton, a SUNY Cortland student from Webster, was the offensive star of the game, going 2-4 with two RBIs and a walk.
Trevor Dutra also picked up a pair of RBIs, going 1-4.
The Muckdogs are in first place in the PGCBL West Division, four games ahead of the Auburn Double Days.
Their July 4 game is away against the Niagara Falls Americans.
