Due to warm temperatures causing a quick thaw of the track, the judges made the decision to cancel the live card of racing scheduled for Monday, Feb. 24 out of an abundance of caution for the safety of all the participants.
Monday was the final day of racing for the 2025 winter meet and the Jackpot Hi-5 carryover pool of $4,251 that was scheduled to be paid out will now be moved to opening day of the summer meet on Saturday, July 26, and will also be a mandatory payout.
The Jackpot Super Hi-5 at Batavia Downs has not been hit in several days and as a result, the carryover has now grown to $4,251.
With the meet coming to an end on Monday (Feb. 24), this must be paid out and track management has guaranteed that pool at $10,000 in conjunction with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program.
As part of that program, Trackmaster is offering free full past performance program pages that are currently available on the USTA website under the Handicapping link at the top of the page.
The Jackpot Super Hi-5 at Batavia Downs is a 20-cent minimum wager in the 14th race on Monday with an estimated post time of 7:20 p.m. Post time for the first race is at 3 p.m.
And as always, 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.
As a result of the ongoing extreme winter weather that has impacted all of western New York over the past week, Batavia Downs management has canceled the live card of harness racing scheduled for Thursday (Feb. 20) in an abundance of caution for the safety and welfare of all the participants.
Live racing will resume on Monday (Feb. 24) at 3 p.m., which will be the last card of the winter meet.
As a result of an extreme winter storm that has produced high winds, heavy snow, sub-zero wind chills and treacherous driving conditions to all of western New York, the management of Batavia Downs has canceled the live card of racing scheduled for Monday (Feb. 17) in an abundance of caution for the safety and welfare of all the participants.
Live racing will resume on Thursday (Feb. 20) at 3 p.m., which will be the second last card of the winter meet that ends on Monday, February 24.
Due to deteriorating weather and the resulting track conditions, Batavia Downs has cancelled live racing for Thursday (Feb. 13) afternoon due to an abundance of caution for the safety of all the horses and horse people.
Racing will resume at the Downs on Monday (Feb. 17) at 3:00 p.m. with a $4,251 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 11th race. There are only three more live racing dates in the 2025 winter meet, which concludes on Monday, February 24.
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 Celia Bayama courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Although she moved up in class, out in post and completely reversed racing strategies, Celia Bayama claimed her second straight win in the $9,500 fillies and mares pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 10) afternoon.
Kyle Swift took Celia Bayama off the gate and tucked in fifth while Legal Jeopardy (Dave McNiehgt III) and Scenic Adventure (Kevin Cummings) battled to the quarter in :28 flat. Scenic Adventure finally took command, crossed over to the pegs and backed the half down to a more tempered :58.4. Swift had Celia Bayama out and rolling passing five-eighths and advanced on the backside in first-over fashion to draw even with Scenic Adventure at three-quarters in 1:29.
From there, Swift high-lined and bounced behind Celia Bayama all through the last turn, trying to coerce her to pass Scenic Adventure, which she did at the top of the stretch. As they headed for home, Celia Bayama paced hard to the line while turning back a late lunge by Legal Jeopardy in the passing lane to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.4.
It was the 20th career victory for Celia Bayama ($12.60) who is owned by Barry Charles and trained by Chris Petrelli.
Joe Chindano Jr., the Downs leading driver this meet, enhanced his lead on Monday after winning four more races during the card. Chindano won with Keystone Phoenix (1:59.2, $2.60), Kenobi (2:00.2, $4.50), Blue Madam (1:59.4, $14.20) and Heir of Southwest (2:00.4, $4.50). Chindano now has 33 wins for the winter meet and sits six victories ahead of Brett Beckwith who currently has 27.
Trainers Chris Petrelli and Candace Brandstatter-Hall each had two wins during the card to lead the conditioner colony on Monday.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 13) at 3:00 p.m. with a $4,251 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race. There are only four more live racing dates in the 2025 winter meet, which concludes on Monday, February 24.
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 Itsallaboutfaith N courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Despite high winds and a sloppy track, Itsallaboutfaith N blazed a trail from start to finish to claim his second straight $13,000 Open Handicap pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 6) afternoon.
Brett Beckwith put Itsallaboutfaith N on the point and fought 40 MPH headwinds while setting fractions of :28.3, :59.2 and 1:28.4 with the favored Primo Uomo (Joe Chindano Jr.) drafting in second and the rest of the field struggled to keep up. The top two peeled away from the group as they made their way around the last turn. When the pair entered the homestretch, Primo Uomo tipped and tried to catch the leader. But Itsallaboutfaith N just kept on going and won by 1-¼ lengths in 1:57.3, which was the fastest clocking of the night.
Itsallaboutfaith N ($6.00) is owned by PT Stable and trained by Gareth Dowse.
Beckwith ended the day with a total of three driving wins.
In the co-featured $13,000 Open Handicap trot, My One Percent made his second foray into the top class a winning one after tripping-out to a one length victory.
Kyle Cummings put My One Percent in the pocket behind Missile (Brett Beckwith) and took his cover through quarters of :29.3, 1:00.1 and 1:30 while Double Class (Dave McNeight III) was parked on the outside. After making his way through the last turn, Cummings sent My One Percent into the passing lane and went right by Missile and continued to trot smartly to the line where he won in 1:59.4.
It was the third win in only four 2025 starts for My One Percent ($6.10) who is owned by Steve and Nancy Pratt and trained by Kirk Desmond.
There was also a $17,500 Trackmaster series final for the TM 78 group that was won by Mauries Bonus A, who Joe Chindano Jr. pulled from fifth at the half, tipped three-wide at three-quarters and all around the last turn before scooting home a game winner by 1-½ lengths in 2:02.2.
Mauries Bonus A ($16.60) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags and trained by Maria Rice.
Kevin Cummings also had three driving wins on Thursday, two of which were trained by Sam Smith.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 10) at 3:00 p.m. with a $3,529 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
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 Oaxacan Dream N courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Sent off at 50-cents to the dollar in the featured $9,500 pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 3), Oaxacan Dream N lived up to the hype on a rainy night over a sloppy track with an impressive gate-to-wire win, which was her first of 2025.
Dave McNeight III made it quick and simple as he sent Oaxacan Dream N to the front off the gate and laid down measured fractions of :29.5, :59 and 1:29.2 to three quarters, where she held a 1-¼ length lead over the pocket-sitting Scenic Adventure (Kevin Cummings). With no other legitimate threats coming from behind, Oaxacan Dream N rounded the last turn and entered the stretch before pacing away to a 1-½ length win in 1:59.1.
Oaxacan Dream N ($3.00) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags and trained by Maria Rice.
That was one of the few highlights of the night for chalk bettors on Monday as conditions seem to dictate that price plays were where the speculator's smart money should have gone.
The run of overlooked victors started in the first race with Matticulous GB (2:00.4, $14.40) and continued with Fireworks Flash (2:02, $11.60), Sake Bomb (1:59.1, $28.40), Bugatti (2:01.3, $27.60), Celia Bayama (2:00.2, $54.50) and closed out the card with Justine (2:03.3, $56.60), who was eighth and last at the half, tipped three-deep at three-quarters, came off the far turn five-deep and still seventh before bolting to the line a winner by a nose in a photo. Celia Bayama and Justine teamed up to provide a late daily double that returned $1,430 for a $2 wager.
Several horsemen had multiple wins on Monday. Drivers Kevin Cummings and Joe Chindano Jr. each scored a hat trick while trainers Chris Petrelli, David Russo and Sam Smith all had two wins apiece.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 6) at 3:00 p.m. and there will be a pair of carryovers for the betting faithful. First there will be a $1,374 carryover in the Pick-5 in race one and later, a $2,885 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
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 El Toro Loco courtesy of McKenna Dziemian.
Brett Beckwith took care of business Thursday (Jan. 30) afternoon at Batavia Downs when he won five races on the card and vaulted himself into first place for driving wins this meet. Beckwith’s run included a natural hat trick in races nine, 10 and 11 and a victory in one of the co-features on the program.
In the $13,000 Open Handicap pace, Beckwith sat behind Itsallaboutfaith N, who then sat behind Primo Uomo (Joe Chindano Jr.) as he marched off quarters of :27.3 and :57.1 while being pushed by the parked-out Belmont Major N (Keith Kash). Belmont Major N’s bid then fell apart approaching three-quarters as the top two horses pulled away from the field around the last turn. When the race entered the stretch, Beckwith tipped Itsallaboutfaith N off the pegs and simply cruised by Primo Uomo in deep stretch to win by a length in 1:54.
Itsallaboutfaith N ($8.40) is owned by PT Stable and trained by Gareth Dowse.
Beckwith’s other four winners were Century Grizzly (1:57.3, $23.40), Angelo J Fra (1:58.3, $4.80) who chalked up her 64th lifetime win, Venier Hanover (1:56.2, $3.60) and Maczaffair N (1:9.2, $6.00).
Beckwith now sits in first place with 24 driving wins, two ahead of Joe Chindano Jr. who was relegated to second with his now 22 wins after Thursday's action.
The other co-feature at The Downs was the $13,000 Open Handicap trot that was won by El Toro Loco with an impressive gate to wire performance in his first start at Batavia this year after a five-week stint in Ohio.
Kevin Cummings sent El Toro Loco off the gate to the front and stepped lively quarters of :29, :59.2 and 1:28.1 while Missile (Brett Beckwith) and My One Percent (Kyle Cummings) gave chase. After rounding the last bend, El Toro Loco turned for home with a 1-¾ length lead and held sway to the line where he won in 1:57.4.
El Toro Loco ($6.70) is owned by El Dorado Stable and Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.
Cummings, Smith and Torcello went on to team up for a hat trick as they also won with Yo A J (1:58.2, $7.90) and Heavensdor Hanover (1:57.2, $3.30) during the proceedings.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 3) at 3:00 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $1,807 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 12th race.
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 Itsallaboutfaith N courtesy of McKenna Dziemian.
Wind gusts of up to 60 mph that blew down the homestretch made it very challenging for everyone lining up to race at Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 27) afternoon. However many big performances were still turned in, including the one by the 4-year-old pacing mare Maggie Bell, who won her third straight race in the $11,000 upper-lever condition race for distaff sidewheelers to stay perfect in 2024.
Brett Beckwith got away fourth with Maggie Bell, while Oaxacan Dream N (Dave McNeight III) marched on the lead in pedestrian fractions of :29.1 and 1:00.2. As the race rolled by five-eighths, Maggie Bell pulled first-over with the wind to her back and drew alongside Oaxacan Dream N in the last turn. As the girls thundered down the lane, Maggie Bell wore down Oaxacan Dream N while also holding off a fast closing Mcvera (Shawn McDonough) to win by a head in 1:59.1.
It was the fifth win in the last seven starts for Maggie Ball ($9.80) who is owned by Delpozo Scwartz Paoleti and trained by Jaymes Mcassey.
Maggie Bell was one of four winners for Beckwith on Monday. He also won the $15,000 final of the Batavia Downs Trackmaster 74 Series with Samosa Hanover after tipping three-wide at three-quarters and edging out Shoreview (Drew Monti) by a head at the line in 1:58.3. Samosa Hanover ($7.00) is owned by Lucky Label Stable and trained by Taylor Fritz.
Beckwith’s other two winners were Kathy’s Moment (2:01.2, $7.00) and Blue Glamber (1:56.4, $4.60).
In the $12,500 Trackmaster 72.5 Series trot final, Caviar’s Yankee (Mike Baumeister) grabbed the lead before the half and turned away the pocket-sitting Poets N Pirates (Drew Monti) in the lane to win by 1-½ lengths in 2:00.4. Caviar’s Yankee ($6.00) is owned by Jennifer Signor and trained by Jake Baumeister.
Finally, the $12,000 Trackmaster 70 Series final was won by Koup Kruiser (Jim McNeight Jr.) who led from gate to wire and stopped the clock in 2:00.1. Koup Kruiser ($2.80) is owned by Two Gals Stable and trained by Jim McNeight.
Other horsemen turning in stellar performances on Monday include driver Joe Chindano Jr. and trainer David Russo, who both posted hat tricks during the program.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 30) at 3:00 p.m. with a carryover of $1,318 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.
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 Up Helly Aa courtesy of McKenna Dziemian.
It was another cold and windy evening in Genesee County with snow bands that increased in intensity as the card rolled on. But the real storm on Thursday (Jan. 23) afternoon at Batavia Downs came from drivers Brett Beckwith and Kevin Cummings, who each won four races during the program.
Beckwith’s big win came in the co-featured $13,000 Open Handicap trot that went to Up Helly Aa, who led at every station before pulling away to a gapped-length victory.
After several horses left, Johnny Boy (Kevin Cummings) took the lead before Beckwith and Up Helly Aa roared forward in the breeze to claim the top at the :28.2 quarter. After crossing over, Up Helly Aa settled in and marched off back-to-back :29.4 quarters before heading into the final bend on top by 2-¾ lengths. When he entered the stretch, Up Helly Aa had no imminent threats from behind and just kept on going to eventually win by 3-¼ lengths in 1:58.4.
Up Helly Aa ($11.40) is owned by Ian Fromowitz and trained by Jaymes Mcassey.
Beckwith also won with Venier Hanover (1:58.4, $2.90), Admiral Hanover (1:58.1, $4.50) and Six Degrees (1:57.3, $3.40).
Kevin Cummings' four wins came with Silvershoe Halie (2:00.4, $15.20) along with Hp Running Mass (2:01.4, $34.20), Famous Dan (2:00, $4.60) and Yo AJ (1:59.3, $8.40), all of whom were trained by Sam Smith, who topped all conditioners for wins during the proceedings.
Both Beckwith and Cummings drove a total of 13 races each and posted identical numbers of four wins, three seconds and two thirds, giving each one of them a lofty UDR of .487 when the day was done.
The other feature race was the $13,000 Open Handicap pace, where Primo Uomo had absolutely no competition whatsoever as he won his second straight top-class pace at the Downs with a very convincing gate-to-wire romp.
Joe Chindano Jr. rocketed off the gate and to the front with Primo Uomo, who opened up a 2-¾ length gap as he cruised past the quarter in hasty :27.3. Chindano then downshifted quarter two, but got right back to business on the second circuit. Primo Uomo stretched out to a three length lead at three-quarters in 1:26.1, rounded the last turn and then bolted away to a nine-length victory in 1:54.4, setting a new seasonal mark.
Primo Uomo ($2.70) is owned by Chris and Dale Lawton and trained by David Dewhurst.
Chindano added wins with Thinking Of Slim (2:01, $11.20) and Mauries Bonus A (1:58.3, $4.50) to grab a hat trick of his own.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 27) at 3:00 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $1,012 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.
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.
First race of the 2025 winter meet at Batavia Downs. File photo. Photo by Howard Owens
After The Batavian's Jan. 7 article about the opening of the winter racing season at Batavia Downs, one reader raised questions -- well-informed questions -- about just how well the winter meets are doing for the race track and casino.
On Thursday, Don Hoover, director of live racing for Western Regional Off-Track Betting, sat down with The Batavian to address the issues raised by the reader.
First, the history of the winter meet at Batavia Downs The meet is in its third season. Before 2023, the race track in Buffalo hosted a three-month winter meet but the storms of 2022 distributed the season, causing several race-day cancelations. Buffalo decided to compress its racing schedule into a season that starts in March.
The horsemen are accustomed to year-round racing, and for many of them, their income stream depends on it, Hoover said.
"Now we're faced with the possibility of no racing in Western New York for three months," Hoover said. "That leads to the question of whether some would have to get out of the business. Would they ship to another racetrack and maybe stay there?"
The horseman's association approached management at Batavia Downs and proposed a January and February racing schedule, promising to cover any losses incurred by the track.
The horsemen promising the track wouldn't lose money on the races is a key point, Hoover stressed.
"We have a shared agreement that benefits both Batavia Downs and the local horsemen so that they can maintain their racing without much interruption and we can provide a venue for them without incurring any significant cost," Hoover said.
The agreement covers direct costs related to each race, not other ongoing operational costs, such as the salaries of permanent staff who might work during the events.
Is keeping winter racing a good business decision? "I have personally wrestled with that question because it's not really in monetary terms, and the angst that it just brings about naturally due to the constant question of -- are you racing? Are you not racing? Are you racing? Are you not? Is it too cold? Is it a safe track? Those items are hard to wrestle with on a daily basis," Hoover said. "If we look at it as a pure business decision -- I guess, what we would have to do now since this is our third winter -- I guess what we would have to do now is sit down and get the food and beverage revenue and see if we can see a pattern. We know that we do more business on Mondays and Thursdays when we race because otherwise, the clubhouse wouldn't be open.
"The clubhouse is open. We have food specials. People come and attend the races there and eat and drink. So we would have to try to analyze exactly what we could put in dollars and cents as to what ancillary income we get derived specifically by racing in the winter."
What Hoover calls "ancillary income" doesn't count against direct racing expenses.
Even so, it can be hard to separate additional revenue on race days when Batavia Downs has other promotions going on throughout the winter, such as hotel specials, concerts, and group events, "all the things we do here as a corporation to drive people to the property."
He does believe, he said, that racing does get extra people to the track, though attendance is much, much smaller than the regular meet.
"It's logical that we would get extra people to the property by holding racing," Hoover said. "They are people who are harness racing fans, and they wouldn't be here except for that fact."
Is there enough attendance to justify opening the clubhouse?
"It's a work in progress where we look to see how to do that without losing money," Hoover said. "We have one bartender. People order drinks. We've paired down what foods are available. It used to be that they could order food and it would be brought up to them. Now we just have specials for right there. So we've tried to look at all the numbers on it and come up with a specific plan where we won't lose money by having the clubhouse open."
Our reader thinks attendance would be better on another weekday than Monday, such as going to two days, perhaps Tuesday and Thursday or Wednesday and Friday. "Well, Mondays happen to be our biggest handle day," Hoover said.
During the regular meet, the first post time is 6 p.m., giving people who work, especially in Rochester and Buffalo, time to get off work and make it to the track.
In winter, with lower attendance, it puts more of a strain on staff expense to have a later post time. The 3 p.m. post time in the winter also eliminates going head-to-head against racing at Monticello.
"The staff doesn't have to go home and come back," Hoover said. "The staff doesn't have to accrue extraordinary overtime. It's not dark yet. We have the track crew still here. We don't have to send them home and bring them back in, so we thought the combination of all those things regarding staffing, overtime, and the time of day was beneficial for us to make that schedule for the three o'clock on Mondays and Thursdays."
Why is Monday your biggest handle day? There is less competition on Mondays, Hoover said. That is primarily important for off-track betting.
For the live handle, there isn't much difference between Monday and Thursday.
Is it correct that the off-track handle generates about 2% in revenue for OTB and the live-track revenue is about 20%?
Yes and no, Hoover said. When you factor in BataviaBets.com, phone bets, and OTB's own branches, the off-track handle increases to about 2.6%.
What is the typical revenue for a winter race? Hoover said it is currently about $7,500 to $8,000. That doesn't include anything from food and beverage or what might be spent by race attendees on the casino floor.
Later on Thursday, The Batavian spoke with CEO Byron Brown, who said winter racing is important to the operation of OTB.
"Winter racing really helps to strengthen the relationship between Batavia Downs and the horsemen," Brown said. "Also, as we work to make this a premier entertainment destination in New York State, it's just another reason for people to come to Batavia Downs."
Wind, snow and single-digit wind chills set the stage for racing at Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 20) afternoon. But despite those conditions, Magical Mistress delivered the goods in the $9,500 featured pace for fillies and mares.
Magical Mistress (Kyle Cummings) got away second behind the 49-1 Hurrikane Msrodine (Denny Bucceri) who left from post eight and led the field to the half in 1:01. Legal Jeopardy (Dave McNeight III) moved first-over and joined the fray at that point and momentarily took the lead at three-quarters, but never crossed over. At that same station, Magical Mistress vacated the pegs and followed Legal Jeopardy around the last turn, before tipping clear at the top of the lane. There, Magical Mistress dug hard and passed three peers in deep stretch to win by three-quarters of a length in 2:01.3.
Magical Mistress ($4.40) is owned by Michael Milazzo and trained by Candace Brandstatter-Hall, who also won with Flames Of Fire (2:02.2, $4.20) later in the card.
Drivers Brett Beckwith and Drew Monti and trainer Rachelle Mungillo all registered three wins apiece on the card during the proceedings.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 23) at 3:00 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $696 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 15th race.
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.
Although he was a seven-time victor last year, Primo Uomo hasn’t visited the winner's enclosure since October 26 at Vernon Downs. But that all changed on Thursday (Jan. 16) at Batavia Downs as he lived up to his name as was truly the best man among his male pacing peers in the featured $13,000 Open Handicap feature on a night that was hampered by cold temperatures and heavy snow.
Those intense winter weather conditions would continue throughout the night and necessitate the cancellation of racing after the sixth race, out of extreme caution for the safety of the horses and participating horsemen and women.
Primo Uomo (Joe Chindano Jr.) got away seventh while Runrunjimmydunn N (Kevin Cummings) led the race and reached the half unchallenged in 1:00.4. Lip Reader A (Drew Monti) then came first-over from fifth and drew alongside Runrunjimmydunn N at three-quarters after a brisk :28.3 sprint up the backstretch, while Primo Uomo was tracking from fifth, third-over in the breeze.
With the leaders battling for control, Primo Uomo continued to gain ground in the final turn and was third and closing fast at the top of the stretch. As the race straightened for home, Runrunjimmydunn N and lip Reader A were still nose to nose, but Primo Uomo found room in the middle of the lane and powered by them both to win by 1-¾ lengths in 1:58.
It was the 25th career win for Primo Uomo ($14.20), who is owned by Chris and Dale Lawton and trained by David Dewhurst.
In the fourth race, the 13-year-old pacing gelding Silverhill Blaze (Dave McNeight III, $21,80) notched the 55th win of his career after crossing the line in 2:00 flat. That win was one of three wins on the abbreviated card for driver Dave McNeight III, who registered a natural hat trick in races two, three and four.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 20) at 3 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 Gary Levine and Brett Beckwith courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Saratoga Raceway-based horsemen have been making their presence felt at Batavia Downs since the 2025 winter meet began and Monday (Jan. 13) was no exception after driver Brett Beckwith and trainers Jaymes Mcassey and Gary Levine all posted noteworthy performances.
Beckwith won five races on the card including a victory in the night’s feature race. He scored with Justine (2:01, $10.60), Takemetochurch Deo (2:03.1, $5.80) and Samosa Hanover (2:00.4, $5.30) along with Maggie Bell and Mary Kat, who will be covered in more depth.
Despite moving up in class after a convincing victory at The Downs last week, Maggie Bell bounced right back with another impressive win in the $11,000 featured pace for fillies and mares at Batavia on Monday afternoon, where heavy snow squalls were a factor for a majority of the program.
Beckwith pushed Maggie Bell to the front and took the lead from Mcvera (Shawn McDonough) as the race passed the quarter. Once on the point, Maggie Bell backed the half down to a comfortable :59.1 before encountering a challenge from Penthousepalace (Joe Chindano Jr.), who was pacing first-over in the breeze as the group traversed the backstretch for the second time.
Penthousepalace got the lead at three-quarters but was unable to cross-over, as Maggie Bell stiffened up and came back along the pegs to reclaim control at the top of the stretch. Scenic Adventure (Kevin Cummings), Oaxaca Dream N (Drew Monti) and the pocket-sitting Mcvera all came into play as the girls made their way towards home and the trio was in hot pursuit of Maggie Bell. But Maggie Bell refused to lose and was never headed, crossing the line first by three-quarters of a length in 1:58.2.
It was the second straight win and fourth victory in the last six outings for Maggie Bell ($6.40) who is owned by Delpozo Scwartz Paoleti and trained by Jaymes Mcassey. The win also pushed Maggie Bell’s lifetime bank over the $300,000 mark, as she now sits at $300,398.
Then later in the fifth race, Beckwith drove the pacing mare Mary Kat to a one-length, 1:59.3 victory to give Gary Levine his 1,100th career training win. Levine, who owns the winner, also has 1,078 seconds and 1,001 thirds from his 7,663 career starts and they have earned his connections $7,632,934 in purses.
Beckwith was just named the 2024 Dan Patch Rising Star by the United States Harness Writers Association and will be honored at the Dan Patch Banquet on Sunday, February 23 at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida.
There was a major upset in the second race after 77-1 shot Blazin Chally (Kyle Cummings) raced the entire mile parked-out, before closing late to win by a nose in 2:02.3. Owned by Doug and Tyra Ackley and trained by Tammy Cummings, Blazin Chally returned $157.00, $56.50 and $33.60 across the board.
Shawn McDonough and Jim Clouser Jr. both had two training wins during the card to lead all their peers on Monday.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 16) at 3:00 p.m. and there will be a $1,056 carryover in the Pick Five wager in race one and a carryover of $274 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 15th race.
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 Joe Chindano Jr. courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Even though the weather was ice cold, driver Joe Chindano Jr. was red hot at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 9) afternoon as he won a total of six races on the card, including a natural hat trick in races 13, 14 and 15 to close out the day’s action.
Chindano scored with Lyons Johnnyjnr (1:58.1, $4.50), Communion Money (1:58.3, $5.00), Littelbitaswagger (1:57.3, $7.00), Da Ghetto wizard (1:56, $4.80), Flames Of Fire (2:00.2, $3.70) and Legal Bettor (1:56.3, $9.60). Chindano also had a second and a third from his 11 drives, giving him a stellar .626 UDR for the program.
Chindano’s first, fourth and fifth winners were trained by Candace Brandstatter-Hall, who led all trainers for the day with her triple.
Two races Chindano did not win were the pair of feature races that had solid miles turned in by both winners, despite the winter conditions.
The pacers lined up first in their $13,000 Open Handicap and Melanion N (Drew Monti) picked up where he left off at Batavia last December, which was in the winner’s enclosure, after returning from a short, unsuccessful excursion to Ohio before Christmas.
Melanion N got away last off the gate while Mach Le More A (Dave McNeight III) dashed to the half in :58.3 on the point. Heading onto the second circuit, Primo Oumo (Jim McNeight Jr.) moved first-over from fourth and Monti followed with Melanion N, one out and one back in fourth. Approaching three-quarters, Melanion N was sent three-deep to the front and took that position into the stretch. As the race was heading for home, Melanion N bolted away by 2-¼ lengths to win easily in 1:55.3.
Melanion N ($2.70) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Dr. Michael Miller and trained by Maria Rice.
Monti and Rice also scored with Lip Reader A ($4.10) for Vogel and Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing in the $11,000 upper-level conditioned pace in 1:55.2. Monti finished the night with a total of three wins.
Later in the card, the trotters lined up for their $13,000 Open Handicap tilt and the Saratoga Raceway invader, Malibu Kid (Larry Stalbaum), took a lot of air before firmly planting his flag at the finish line.
Johnny Boy (Kevin Cummings) was the commander of fractions from the start, going :28.4 and :59.3 to the half with Discus Hanover (Drew Monti) drafting in the garden spot. Stalbaum had Malibu Kid out and rolling from fifth before that point and was now third on the outside heading into turn three. Malibu Kid continued to grind in the breeze and made his way to second at three-quarters as Johnny Boy clung to the front heading around the last bend. When they straightened for home, Johnny Boy, Malibu Kid and Discus Hanover were all within a length of each other and it was a cavalry charge to the line. As they entered deep stretch, Malibu Kid got up in time and claimed a measured 1-¼ length victory in 1:58.1.
Malibu Kid ($4.80) is owned by Shark Racing and trained by his driver, Stalbaum.
The Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta was hit in race 15. The single unique combination of 2-1-3-6-9 returned $1,866.80 for a 20-cent wager.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 13) at 3:00 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.
Fresh off a solid 1:52.3 win at Harrah’s Philadelphia the week before Christmas, Ambushed shipped-in to Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 6) for her 2025 debut and scored a second consecutive win in the featured $13,000 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares, the race that headlined the opening card of the winter meet at the Genesee County oval.
Driver Joe Chindano Jr. got away last with Ambushed while Waitforever N (Brett Beckwith) took the lead from Oaxacan Dream N (Dave McNeight III) passing the :28.1 quarter, and then marched to the half in a middling :59 flat. Chindano then pulled Ambushed past that station and methodically made their way to the lead at the five-eighths pole. Moving up the backside, she crossed over to the pegs at three-quarters and then separated from the field in the final turn. Ambushed entered the stretch with a 1-½ length lead and rebuffed a late bid from Waitforever N to win by one in 1:57 flat.
Ambushed ($6.70) is owned by D Racing Stable and Donald Mac Rae and trained by Hunter Oakes.
Ambushed capped off a natural hat trick for Chindano in the sixth, seventh and eighth races, and was one of four victories he registered during the night. Those other three victors were Headline Maker (2:03, $50.00), Lydias Liberty (2:00.1, $12.20) and Shoreview (1:59.3, $10.40).
A similarly impressive mile on Monday, given the biting cold temperatures and snowglobe atmosphere the races were held in, was turned in by Maggie Bell (Brett Beckwith) in the mid-level $9,500 pace for distaff participants.
Maggie Bell sat second behind Hurrikane Msrodine (Kevin Cummings) until the quarter, where she pulled and took command at the top of the second turn. From there, Maggie Bell paced unfettered fractions of :58.3 and 1:27.4, and entered the stretch with a 1-½ length lead. From that point she scooted home on top by two in 1:57, matching the time of the feature race.
Owned by Del Pozzo Schwartz Paoleti and trained by Jaymes Mcassey, Maggie Bell returned $14.00 for the win.
Maggie Bell was one of three wins for Beckwith during the proceedings.
Other horsemen who had notable nights included driver Kevn Cummings and trainer Sam Smith, who teamed up to cross the line first with three of their starters and Shawn McDonough, who was responsible for two driving wins and with three training victories.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 9) at 3:00 p.m. and there will be a $430 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 15th race.
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.
Sub-freezing temps, a slight breeze, and a dusting of snow seemed to somehow add to the live racing ambience at Batavia Downs as the track opened on Monday for its third consecutive winter racing season.
Winter racing has its disadvantages and advantages, Don Hoover, director of live racing at Batavia Downs, told The Batavian prior to Monday's first post time at 3 p.m.
The obvious disadvantage is adverse weather.
"It has its own challenges because from time to time, you're on edge, whether you're going to have to cancel the races or not, depending on weather, and that's something that you need to do in a timely manner to avert having many of the people ship in and be caught in bad weather," Hoover said.
On the plus side, racing fans around the country have few other options if they want to play the ponies remotely.
"We have lost much less competition in the simulcast area," Hoover said. "Today, for example, only three or four tracks are racing nationwide, and that will afford us, hopefully, a very, very substantial handle. Last year, we went over half a million dollars three times, which was unheard of in the era since OTB has owned the racetrack."
While the winter racing crowd is small at the track — and cozy in the warm clubhouse with food and beverages available — winter racing, Hoover said, has helped lift the profile of Batavia Downs for race fans across the country.
Hoover said there is also an advantage to winter racing for the horsemen.
"Because it's a Western New York circuit where typically they race in Buffalo and Batavia, but with Buffalo being much closer to the lake than we are, Buffalo opted not to race in January and February a couple of years back," Hoover said. "In an agreement with the horsemen, we were able to pick up those dates. It keeps them where there's one month off out of 12. It keeps them from shipping to continue to ply their trade."
This year marks the 85th year since harness racing started at Batavia Downs, but since some seasons were missed over the decades, Hoover estimates its actually the 79th year of live racing at the track.
"As everyone's well aware, there have been many, many changes in the landscape of racing over the last 50 years," Hoover said. "We don't get as many on-track customers as we used to because of the availability of wagering from the comfort of your home, your phone, and even your car. There's also been a proliferation of casino gambling in the state, so the picture is different. But the good thing about it is that we still have racing purses that are such that people can make a good living."
There is still clearly an interest in live racing, which the total handle live racing generates proves, Hoover said.
"The one thing that we would like to see happen, and we hope it can happen, is to raise the on-track handle and the on-track attendance here at Batavia Downs," Hoover said. "They (the Western Regional OTB board) put money into racing. They renovated the clubhouse recently. Many tracks in the state don't even have an open clubhouse. So we try to draw people here, and that's one of our goals."
UPDATE: Don Hoover reports that the opening day of the 15-day winter meet was a success. He states, "As compared to last year’s opening day we showed an increase in both live and total handle. The live handle was $7,330 yesterday as compared to $6,803 last year ( a 7.7% increase), and the total handle was $465,558 as compared to $390,922 ( a 19% increase) and was the 4th highest handle since WROTB acquired Batavia Downs."
The 2024 racing season wrapped up at Batavia Downs last Saturday (Dec. 7) night and that also closed the track’s books for the year. After all the paperwork was finalized, the bottom line showed that the business of harness racing at Batavia Downs is operating at a record pace.
The overall handle at Batavia Downs for both the winter and summer/fall meets came in at $16,826,483, which is a 9.2% increase over 2023 that saw a total handle of $15,414,846. Plus this year’s handle was the highest recorded at the track since Western Regional Off Track Betting began running the racing operation in 2002.
That 9.2% increase is quite notable on its merits alone, but it also stands out in the crowd in a year where the overall handle at harness tracks across North America is down a collective 6.66%.
Don Hoover is the Director of Live Racing at Batavia Downs and he was very satisfied with the results, and was quick to mention everyone whose hard work made it happen.
“2024 was another record handle year for Batavia Downs and ended up surpassing our previous record set just last year. Once again, it was a total team effort from the entire staff at Batavia Downs with special thanks going to the live racing staff, track maintenance, simulcast, group sales, marketing, track management and of course, the horsemen and horse women who put on the show every night. They provided very competitive racing and proof of that was favorites winning only 44.5% of the time, which rates among the lowest in the industry at any half mile track in North America. Back to back record years is noteworthy, but so was the all time record $75,000 guaranteed pool we had on Nov. 13 that also produced a record payoff. Plus the track distributed over $7 million in overnight purses to our owners, trainers and drivers this year,” said Hoover.
There will be only a short amount of time for the track to sit on this year’s laurels as the break in the action at the Genesee County oval will be brief. Live racing returns to Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 6) for the start of the 15-day 2025 winter meet, the third consecutive overcoat session the track has hosted. Racing will be held every Monday and Thursday through Monday (Feb. 24) with all cards having a 3 p.m. post.
Photo of Dougadougadew courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Even though it was getaway day at Batavia Downs as the curtain came down on the 2024 summer/fall meeting on Saturday (Dec. 7) night, the competition was fast and furious during a card that saw drivers Kevin Cummings and Dave McNeight III win five races each while trainer Sam Smith sent four from his stable to the winner’s enclosure on a night he was awarded as top conditioner of the meet.
Cummings winners included Runrunjimmydunn N (1:55.2, $6.30), Out On Bail (1:55.2, $3.50), Johnny Boy (1:58.1, $14.00) and Famous Dan (1:58.3, $3.20), all of which were trained by Smith, and Crystal Beach (1:57.4, $48.20).
McNeight’s successful contingent was made up of Our Night Fury (1:59.2, $6.70), Skyline Blue Chip (1:58.3, $3.20), Mach Le More A (1:56.2, $36.20) who will be covered more later, Shipsaway (1:57, $2.50) and Mason Street (1:59.2, $12.60).
There were co-featured $14,000 races on the closing card and the trot was won by another award winner.
After going 0 for 8 last year in a less than memorable season, Dougadougadew did a complete 180 and capped-off 2024 with his 12th win of the year while matching his career best time in the Open Handicap trot on the night when he was named the Trotter of the Meet at Batavia Downs.
In a very typical start for the chestnut trotter, Dougadougadew (Kyle Cummings) got away last by 10 lengths as El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) parked out the visiting Big Box Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) in fast fractions of :28.1 and :57 through the cold, blustery night. As the race headed onto the second circuit, Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) made a first-over move and Dougadougadew was happy to take the cover, one out and one back.
As the race headed towards three-quarters, Big Box Hanover succumbed to the overland grind, forcing Biscoe and Dougadougadew three-wide into the final bend. Biscoe crossed over and Dougadougadew drew alongside and the final furlong became a match race. Biscoe was maintaining his lead, but Dougadougadew kept digging and getting closer with every stride and four pylons from the line, Dougadougadew edged ahead and won by a neck in 1:57.1, tying his lifetime mark.
Dougadougadew ($7.80) made it an even dozen victories and pushed his seasonal bankroll to $85,877 for owners Doug and Tyra Ackley and trainer Tammy Cummings.
Then in the Open Handicap pace, Mach Le More A upset the field in a blanket finish at 17-1.
Mach Le More A (Dave McNeight III) got away sixth as Virgil N (Mike Baumeister) got the field to the half in a tepid :58.4. Bet On Blake (Kevin Cummings) moved into second from a first-over move in turn three while Mach Le More A drafted, fourth on the outside. Positions remained unchanged to three-quarters and Virgil N even started to pull away from the group in the last turn. But Mach Le More A, who was still fourth and three lengths from the leader, had different ideas as he tipped to the middle of the track and mowed down the competition at the wire where he won by a head in 1:56.2 in a photo that saw a mere length separate the top six finishers.
It was the second straight win and ninth of the season for Mach Le More A ($36.20) who pushed his earnings to $91,580 this year for owner Marissa Russo and Fac Racing. Dave Russo does the training.
The $10,000 guaranteed Jackpot Hi-5 pool with an end of season must-pay in the 15th race produced an outstanding payoff to those who caught the number. The 9-1-3-5-2 combination returned $2,120,20 for a 20-cent wager.
As alluded to earlier in this report, meet ending awards were presented by the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association and Batavia Downs during their Night of Distinction ceremony. Longtime Batavia blacksmith Ray Cable received a Lifetime Achievement Award, Drew Monti and Sam Smith were named driver and trainer of the meet, Dougadougadew was trotter of the meet and Won Surreal Deal was pacer of the meet. All awards were presented trackside to the respective recipients and their connections.
Although the 2024 meet has ended, the track won’t be dark for long as live racing returns to Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 6) for the start of the 15-day 2025 winter meet. Racing will be held every Monday and Thursday through Monday (Feb. 24) with all cards having a 3 p.m. post.
Photo of Mach Le More A courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
