harness racing

Press release:

As a result of the heady drive by Shawn McDonough, Mugshots Bro made quick work of his competition and won the $11,200 Open Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 1). 

Mugshots Bro started widest in the scratch-shortened field of five and darted off the car and got the lead with no opposition at all. After scooting to the quarter in :28.3, McDonough grabbed leather and stifled the second panel to :30.3 as no one was mounting an attack. The four followers continued to do so around turn three and up the backstretch to the three-quarters where Mike Caprio finally pulled right line on All About Thechase from third and tried to advance, but Mugshots Bro had a 2-1/4 length lead at that point and maintained it around the last turn. As they headed down the lane All About Thechase and CR Blazin Beauty (Kevin Cummings) trotted sharply and did cut into the margin, but Mugshots Bro had the jump and wouldn’t be caught, crossing on top by 3/4’s of a length in 1:57.1. 

It was the first Open class victory of the year at Batavia Downs for Mugshots Bro ($3.80) and fifth Open of the year overall. With this win the 9-year-old gelded son of Jailhouse Jesse-Photo Emmy broke the quarter-million dollar mark and now boasts $252,046 in earnings for owners Herman Niedhammer Jr. and Herman Niedhammer. Shawn McDonough also trains the winner. 

McDonough ended the day with a training/driving double after winning with Best Ears (1:58, $3.00) in the 10th race. 

In the $10,000 Open II trot, Lunar Credit pulled off the upset after being a loose leader in a wire to wire win timed in 1:58.4. Trained by Jim McNeight, Lunar Credit is owned and driven by Jim McNeight Jr. and paid $14.40 to win. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and there are several events of note for that session. 

The New York Sire Stakes will be in town with the 2-year-old trotting colts division going for a total purse of $101,700. 

And there is a $1,516 carryover in the Pick-5 wager that starts in the first race. Batavia Downs will be offering a guaranteed $5,000 pool for that wager in conjunction with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. That means free program pages for the first five races will be available starting Monday at ustrotting.com under the handicapping tab and at bataviadownsgaming.com under the live racing tab. 

And don’t forget that free full card past performance programs are always available for download for every live racing night at Batavia Downs at bataviadownsgaming.com under the live racing tab.

Press release:

Thor De Vie left a string of second-place finishes behind and got back to his winning ways after out-muscling a solid field of six in the $11,200 Open I Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (July 31).

It was Katy-bar-the-door horse racing in the night’s feature race as four horses left and no one would give way. It was Thor De Vie (Dave McNeight III) on the point on the pegs, Windsong Jack (Ray Fisher Jr.) one out and even, Endeavors Pride (Kevin Cummings) behind Thor De Vie and Surfer Beach (Jim Morrill Jr.) behind Windsong Jack. These four paced as a pack through fractions of: 27.4 and: 56.4 and continued the same past the five-eighths marker.

As the group headed up the backstretch, the outer flow began to lose touch and Endeavors Pride finally had room to roam. Cummings pulled Endeavors Pride approaching the three-quarters and hooked up with the leader. Endeavors Pride got as close as Thor De Vie’s wheel but getting closer was hard to do. Thor De Vie swelled up at the head of the stretch and held off the challenge as well as one from a late-closing Stranger Things (Kyle Cummings) to win by a neck in 1:54.3.

It was the fourth win of the year for Thor De Vie ($10.20) who is owned by Jim Graham, Lee Winters, Paul Tandlmayer, and Giuseppie Micchia. Jim Graham also trains the winner. 

The $10,000 Open II pace went to Lord Willoughby A who was catch-driven by Ray Fisher Jr. for owner/trainer Larry Stalbaum. Fisher sat chilly in the garden spot for seven-eighths of a mile while Catch A Lefty A (Mike Baumeister) dictated the pace, walking to the half in 59 before tapping the gas in a:27.4 third panel. But Lord Willoughby A kept uptight as the pace increased and when Fisher tipped him coming off the last turn, Lord Willoughby A paced hard down the lane and he caught Catch A Lefty A at the line to win by only a nose in 1:55.2. 

After scoring his fourth win of the year, Lord Willoughby A returned $5.40. 

Jim Morrill Jr. led all drivers on Saturday with three wins and trainers Jenn Giuliani, Gerry Sarama, and Lee Dahn all had two wins apiece. 

Press release:

The New York Sire Stakes visited Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 28) with both genders of 3-year-old pacers competing in four divisions for a total of $225,000. With excellent efforts put in by the entire group, Town Gossip stole the show as he tied the track record for 3-year-old pacing geldings with an impressive 1:52.2 effort. 

Joe Bongiorno and Town Gossip (American Ideal-Fibbertigibbet) battled with Major Bean (Matt Kakaley) to the quarter but got the lead by that pole in :27.3 and from there, he just kept going. With no one pulling right lines until the five-eighths, Southwind Petyr (Jason Bartlett) made the first move and could only advance to second on the rim at the three-quarters where the clock showed 1:24.1. Town Gossip started to pull away in the final bend and when they hit the stretch, he swelled up and paced away to a 2-1/4 length win in 1:52.2, which equaled the track record for 3-year-old pacing geldings. 

“The best two horses were on the outside so I wasn’t sure how it was going to shape up. Jason (Bartlett, driving Southwind Petyr) dropped in the three-hole and I went to the front. My horse is usually lazy but today on the front he kept to his task on his own pretty well. I knew the horse from behind would give me a run but we didn’t have to go a crazy third quarter and he was pretty wrapped up at the wire,” said Bongiorno.  

It was the third straight win for Town Gossip ($3.50) and it pushed his earnings for this year to $91,588 for owner Robert Weinstein. Jenn Bongiorno trains the winner. 

The other group of colts and geldings saw the 2-year-old NYSS male pacing champion, King James Express (Art Major-More Diamonds), make a statement for more year-end laurels this year. 

I’ll Drink To That (Jim Morrill Jr.) was a strong leaver and dictated the pace for most of the mile. After a speedy: 27.1 quarter, Morrill backed down the next two panels substantially and that’s when King James Express (Jason Bartlett) pulled from third and started to advance. As they went around the last turn, King James Express was wearing down I’ll Drink To That and when they hit the stretch, King James Express had the better foot and paced to the wire with a ½ length victory in 1:53.4.

“In a well-timed move with him he’s pretty fast and he’s great with a target. So I always have to make sure he has a target. When I moved him I thought I was a winner. He’s been getting better and better every start since he qualified this spring and with his progress, he should be very good for the final,” said Bartlett. 

King James Express ($6.50) won his second straight and now has banked $81,605 this year for owners Mark Harder, Deena Frost, Wayne Carleton and Dean Lockhart. Harder also trains the winner. 

The definite star of the entire filly division was Heart Of Mine (Roll With Joe-Aquavella) who claimed her eighth win of the year in the easiest of fashion.

Scotty Zeron left and floated his way to the lead in :28.2 and cleared just past that station. With no opposition from there, he backed down the half to :58.1 and the race was basically over at that point. Heart Of Mine continued on the second circuit and maintained a 1-¾ length lead up the backstretch, around the last turn and heading into the stretch where she extended it to almost three. Down the lane Zeron had Heart Of Mine wrapped up and pacing with authority to win in 1:53.4 at the beam. 

“She’s pretty nice. She’s extremely professional out there so she can position herself, good gaited so she gets around the turns well and she’s so easy to drive. She’s doing it pretty easy right now and she’s not breaking a sweat so we’ll see how she is going forward,” said Zeron. 

Hall of Famer Linda Toscano trains Heart Of Mine ($2.40) for owners The Bay’s Stable, Radio Racing Stable, Fred Wallace and the Camelot Stable. The filly now has $176,916 made this year and went to $308,331 lifetime in only 20 starts. 

The first filly division went to Summer Rae (Roll With Joe-Solar Eclipse) who put in another solid effort. 

Bartlett went right for the lead with Summer Rae and looked very strong on the point. The field followed single-file through fractions of :27.3, :56.3 and 1:24.4, with Party Queen (Matt Kakaley) tracking from second. Kakaley pulled off the far turn and charged the leader in the stretch. But Summer Rae hung tough and won by 1/4 of a length in 1:54. 

“She got a little hot on me on the second turn and third turn, so I was a little bit concerned with that. So we were going more than we were forced to go and at the wire, she got a little tired, But in the lane she hung pretty tough once the horses got to her so I was pretty pleased with that,” said Bartlett. 

It was the third win in the last five starts for Summer Rae ($3.60) and owners Kathleen Whitaker, Charles Rowe, Paul Land and Tom Fanning, who also trains the filly. 

Besides winning two of the four NYSS events, Bartlett also won two Excel A divisions to register the Grand Slam on the night.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

It was the first Saturday night (July 24) card of the meet at Batavia Downs and driver Jim Morrill Jr. and trainer Maria Rice put on a clinic on the track for the fans in the stands.  

Morrill had a natural Grand Slam in races six, seven, eight and nine and Rice had a natural Hat Trick in races seven, eight and nine and between the pair, they swept the top three feature races of the night. 

In the $11,200 Open I Handicap pace, Morrill sent Art Scene to the front and never looked back. Cutting fractions of :27.4, :56 and 1:24.1 with as much as a three length lead, Art Scene turned for home looking solid. But Endeavors Pride (Kevin Cummings) had been tracking the leader from the pocket and left that spot for the stretch drive. Endeavors Pride cut into the 1-½ length deficit as Cummings drove him down the lane, but Art Scene had enough in the tank and hit the beam in front by a neck in 1:53.4.

Art Scene ($2.80) got his first win for his new owners Team Rice Racing, who claimed the gelding at Yonkers in June for $25,000. 

In the $10,000 Open II pace, Morrill sent Surfer Beach down the road from post one and led a field that stayed single-file for most of the mile. With Stratosphere (Drew Monti) on his back, Surfer Beach got to three-quarters in 1:26.3 and his lead never looked in doubt. Stratosphere took a shot at him down the lane but couldn’t get closer than his bike in the :28 last quarter and Surfer Beach won by 1-¼ lengths in 1:54.3. 

Surfer Beach ($3.90) is another new acquisition for the Rice stable, as he was privately purchased on July 16 by his new owners Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock.

The sweep was finalized with the $9,000 Open III victory by JM’s Delight. Morrill was parked out over a quarter mile to get the lead before opting to yield it back to Reggiano (Ray FIsher Jr.) who hung him originally. Reggiano backed down the half but hastened the pace to three-quarters, getting there in 1:26.3. The whole time JM’s Delight was raging with pace in the two-hole just begging to get out. Morrill gave him that chance off the last turn and JM’s Delight went right on by to win by ½ length in 1:55.1. 

It was the second win in a row for JM’s Delight ($4.30) who is owned by Greg Merton. 

Morrill rounded out his four win night with Lucky King (1:57.1, $6.50).

There was another dynamic trio making hay at the Downs on Saturday. Driver Kevin Cummings, trainer Gerry Sarama and owner Mike Torcello teamed up to send three horses to the Purple Haze winner’s circle, Their Hat Trick consisted of Percy’s Z Tam (1:54.1, $5.60), Dondoubtthelakers (1:57.2, $10.40) and B’sYankee (1:54.4, $8.70). 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday (July 25) with a matinee card that starts at 1:15 p.m.

Photo of Gertrude by Melissa Simser-Lovino.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

When Batavia Downs opens their 2021 harness racing season on Wednesday (July 21), the card will be highlighted by a visit from the New York Sire Stakes and the 2-year-old trotting filly division. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.

Thirteen first-year trotters will go postward in two divisions for a total purse of $101,700. It’s the second of five stops on their schedule this year leading up to the Night of Champions at Yonkers Raceway on Friday (Sept. 10).

The first $51,300 division is in race seven and seven starters are programmed to go. The morning line favorite is the undefeated Bomb Hugger (Chapter Seven-Stylemaker) who will start from post five at 2-1. 

After breaking her maiden at the Meadows last month in her first lifetime start with a 1:58.4, 7-3/4 length romp, Bomb Hugger made her NYSS debut at Saratoga on July 6 a winning one with a wire to wire effort in a lifetime best 1:58.2. Despite a very brief body of work, she appears to have the best resume in this field at this time. 

Anthony Macdonald will drive for trainer Ryan Swift and owner Thestable Bomb Hugger Group. 

She’s A Scorcher (Chapter Seven-Chilitodayhotamale) made her first ever start in the NYSS division at Saratoga and was faced with post seven and chasing a runaway winner in Joviality S, who went a torrid mile in 1:56.4. She’s A Scorcher was out at the half and gave chase, but understandably tired late in the race. With that experience behind her, She’s A Scorcher can improve here from post two and is listed at 7-2.

Hall of Fame trainer Linda Toscano has Scott Zeron in the bike for owner Ryan Smith. 

Iluvmymiumiu’s (Chapter Seven-Iluvmyjimmychoos) made her first lifetime start in an Excel A event at Saratoga and didn’t disappoint at all. She came from off the pace with a strong stretch drive and won by 3/4 of a length in a timely 1:58.3. Although moving up the the top NYSS division, Iluvmymiumiu’s will definitely be formidable competition from post one at 4-1. 

Brad Grant owns the Tony Alagna trained filly that will be driven by Andrew McCarthy.

In the second $50,400 division, Gertrude (Devious Man-Ophelia) has been labeled the 8-5 favorite on the strength of an impressive debut. 

Gertrude won a strong 1:55.4 qualifier at the Meadowlands in mid-June and crossed the wire five lengths in front of her competition. Then she won her first lifetime and stake start at Saratoga in an equally impressive wire-to-wire, 1-1/4 length win in 1:57.4, with a :28.3 final panel. She does move out to post five here after two consecutive starts at the pylons, but that doesn’t appear to be a hindrance to her chances in this race. 

It’s all Team Orange Crush connections here with Andy Miller driving and Julie Miller training for owner the Andy Miller Stable. 

Former local favorite John Stark Jr. returns to Batavia with the 5-2 second choice Seven On The Rocks (Chapter Seven-Spicedbourbongirl) who sat the pocket the entire mile behind Gertrude in her win, and just wasn’t able to catch her in the stretch. But that was then and this is now. It looks like a similar trip is in the future and Seven On The Rocks fortunes could certainly change from post one. 

Stark both trains and drives for owners Mortgage Boys Stable, James De Armond, Peter Barbado and Sam Bova. 

Cranberry Lake (Devious Man-Ann’s Promise) won a maiden race at Saratoga her first lifetime start in 2:01 with a solid :28.4 last quarter. In her NYSS start the following week over the same track she went a fast mile, trotting in 1:59.2, but a slower final split of :29.4 to finish third. She looks to bring her best in here and is listed at 4-1 from post three. 

Trainer George Ducharme has Scott Zeron up to drive for owner David Firmstone. 

There are also three divisions of the Excel A series going for $15,000 each and two Excel B splits competing for $6,600 apiece. 

Free full-card past performance forms are available for download every race day at Batavia Downs by visiting www.bataviadownsgaming.com > Live Racing > Free Full Card Past Performances.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Horsemen wishing to race at Batavia Downs for the upcoming 2021 summer/fall meet should note that stall applications are now available on the track’s website (www.bataviadownsgaming.com). 

Simply click Live Racing>Horsemen>Stall Application, Agreement & Reservations link to download. Stall applications are also available at the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association office located on-site at Buffalo Raceway. 

Batavia Downs will conduct a 59-day meet in 2021, up from 42 days during the pandemic last year and the complete racing schedule can be found at the track's website under Live Racing>Live Racing Schedule. Purse levels were raised at the end of the 2020 season and this year, they are expected to exceed those values. 

“We are looking forward to getting back to normal and welcoming our fans back to the track,” said Todd Haight, director/general manager of Live Racing. “As the vaccination rate in New York has hit the 70-percent mark, we anticipate that most COVID restrictions will be lifted by our opening day and everyone here is excited to see a full in-house crowd enjoying live harness racing at our track once again.”

Racing Secretary Joe Zambito has stated that stall applications must be received by the track no later than Tuesday (July 6). For more information please contact the race office at (585) 344-6161 starting Thursday (July 8). 

The backstretch will open for tack on Thursday (July 15) at 8 a.m. and for horses on Saturday (July 17) at 8 a.m.

The first condition sheet of the year will be out the week of July 12. The opening night card will feature the New York Sire Stakes 2-year-old trotting fillies who will vie for $90,000 (est.) in purses. 

Batavia Downs offers a text messaging service for notices about draws, entries and changes to the racing schedule. Horsemen are strongly encouraged to text the word “HORSEMAN” to 51660. You will then need to reply “YES” and you will be opted in for race office text message updates. 

The 74th season of live harness racing at America’s oldest lighted harness kicks off on Wednesday (July 21) and runs through Saturday (Dec. 11).

Photo: Stratosphere with driver Drew Monti.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The curtain came down on the 2020 racing meet at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 12) but not before Stratosphere captured the final $9,600 Open pace featured race on a mild December night. 

Driver Drew Monti sent Stratosphere off the wings and took a lead he would not relinquish. With the field in single file fashion, Stratosphere went to the quarter in :28.1 and then backed the half down to :58.2. That prompted Santana Beach (Ron Beback Jr.) to pull first over to try and mount a challenge. 

When the race rounded the third turn Stratosphere raised the stakes, pacing the third quarter in :28.1 and opening up a two length lead at three-quarters. From there Stratosphere made his way around the final bend and paced away to a wrapped-up three-length romp in 1:55.1.

It was the seventh win of the year for Stratosphere ($7.60) who has now earned $54,241 for owner Drew Monti. Darrin Monti trains the winner. 

In the $7,800 undercard pace, Allstar Energy (Ron Beback Jr.) pulled from fifth at the half and made a brush-and-crush move at the five-eighths to take the lead from Beachy Dream (Jim Morrill Jr.) while pacing a very fast :27.2 third quarter. Once in front, Allstar Energy maintained his advantage to the wire where he won by a length in 1:56.

It was the eighth win of the year for Allstar Energy ($11.60) who is owned by Sandra Beback and James Kustra. Ron Beback also trains the winner. 

Drew Monti scored a driving Grand Slam to lead all drivers on Saturday. Besides winning with Stratosphere, Monti also scored with Big Pocket Teen (1:56.2, $15.80), Mateo (1:56.4, $4.30) and Love The Dragon (1:57.4, $3.30).

Darrin Monti and Gerry Sarama were the top trainers with two wins each on the card. 

The Pick-5 on Saturday had a guaranteed pool of $3,000 and that stoked a new money input of $5,499 into the wager. The combination of 4-4-1,4-5-2 returned a healthy $687 for a $1 bet. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 21) when the 2021 season begins. The management and staff of Batavia Downs would like to wish all their horsemen and customers a very Happy Holiday season and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs is featuring a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager today (Dec. 12) with a mandatory payout as this is the final card of the meet.

The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages are available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs and USTA websites or by clicking here. 

The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager and if all five winners aren’t selected, the closest combination(s) will be paid out today. 

Post time for the first race is 5 p.m.

As the 2020 Batavia Downs meet draws to a close on Saturday (Dec. 12), the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association has announced the top human and equine performers for this past season. 

These awards would normally be presented in the winner’s circle on the final night of racing during the annual UNY-USHWA Night of Distinction.

However due to state restrictions with regard to the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, that will not be the case this year.

The award winners will be given gift certificates in the paddock in lieu of the usual trackside ceremony because no one is allowed on the apron. 

This will be the first time the Night of Distinction has not been held since its inception in 2008. 

The following were the best on the track from the 2020 Batavia Downs season. 

Driver of the Meet - Jim Morrill Jr.

A two-time dash title winner at Batavia Downs already, Jim Morrill Jr. (top inset photo) notched his third after winning 101 races, finishing 11 wins ahead of the second place Billy Davis Jr. who won this award last year. In 401 starts at Batavia Morrill also had 70 seconds and 51 thirds for a .391 UDR and winnings of $500,000 for the meet. Morrill, who scored his 7,500^th career victory at the Downs this past November, currently sits 13^th in North America for UDR among all drivers with 500 or more starts and his overall mark of .383 for the year is the highest he’s had since the 2016 season. 

For all of 2020 Morrill has 742 starts, 180 wins, 133 seconds and 92 thirds and $1,267,773 in earnings.

Trainer of the Meet -- Gerry Sarama

Not only did Gerry Sarama (inset photo left) register career training win 1,000 at Batavia this year, he also won 62 races, finishing 31 ahead of his nearest competitor to claim his first training title at the Downs. Sarama also had 34 seconds and 26 thirds during the meet with total earnings of $275,112.

Sarama has had one of his best overall years training in 2020 with 87 wins, 60 seconds and 55 thirds out of 426 starts while posting a UTR of .326 and earnings of $475,635. That UTR is the highest Sarama has had in 22 years as a conditioner. Sarama also trained two of the meet’s three equine award winners.

(Above, Black Is Back.)

Pacer of the Meet -- Black Is Back (Western Terror -- Magic Moments) 1:52.1, $288,875

Black Is Back made 16 starts at the Downs and won six Open I Handicap paces while finishing second and third twice each, banking purses of $33,645 in the process. He registered his season’s best time on August 29 when he toured the facility at Batavia in a sharp 1:53.4.  

This is the second consecutive year Black Is Back has been named Horse of the Meet at Batavia Downs. 

Black Is Back is owned by Curtis Edholm and Mihajlo Zdjelar Sr. and is trained by Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr.

(Above, II Mago.)

Trotter of the Meet -- Il Mago (Kadabra-Northern Style) 1:52.3, $899,763

Il Mago came to western New York through a private purchase back in July and won his first two races upon arrival. Since the Batavia meet began, he has been in the Open I Handicap trot every week and has dominated that class all meet. In 14 starts Il Mago has won seven, was second twice and third once more and earned $35,390 during that time. His best win time at the Downs was 1:56.4, a mark he hit twice during the meet. 

The classy 11-year-old has 55 lifetime wins and is currently just $237 short of $900,000 lifetime and has a legitimate chance to cross the $1 million dollar threshold before he retires. 

Il Mago is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama.

(Above, Sir Richie N.)

Claimer of the Meet -- Sir Richie N 

Sir Richie N started the year racing at the Meadowlands and found his way to Western New York through a private sale in January. Although he had moderate success earlier in the year, it was nothing like he would see when he got to Batavia. Sir Richie N raced in claimers ranging from $4,000 to $10,000 during his 18 starts and he won 10 of those along with three seconds. 

His fastest win came on Oct. 3 when he paced the Genesee County oval in 1:55. His efforts earned him $30,630 in purses and a very strong following at the windows. 

Sir Richie N is owned by Mike Torcello and is trained by Gerry Sarama. 

Also, Batavia Downs has announced that the track will offer a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager on Saturday (Dec. 12) with a mandatory payout as this is the final card of the meet.

The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages are available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs and USTA websites or by clicking here.

The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager and if all five winners aren’t selected, the closest combination(s) will be paid out on Saturday. Post time for the first race is 5 p.m.

Photo: CR Blazin Beauty with driver Ray Fisher Jr. in the lead.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Despite wintry conditions and a sloppy track, driver Ray Fisher Jr. was on top of his game and delivered five horses to the winner’s circle at Batavia Downs on tonight (Dec. 9) including three straight winners in races two through four for the natural hat trick. 

Fisher’s top score was in the $10,200 Open I Handicap trot with CR Blazin Beauty, who bolted right to the front and called all the shots. With the two post time favorites making breaks before the quarter, CR Blazin Beauty went unchallenged through fractions of :28.2, :59 and 1:27.4 and then turned for home with a four-length lead. From there she trotted to the wire under wraps to win in 1:59.1. 

The victory pushed CR Blazin Beauty ($8.70) to $41,275 in earnings for the year for owner Marissa Russo. David Russo trains. 

Fisher also won with Lady Justice (2:02.4, $19.20) and Mr. Quaker (2:01.2, $6.90), both of whom are trained by his wife Ryan Swift, and Wonderful World (1:58.2, $5.00) and Awake My Soul (2:00.1, $2.50) who were both trained by Sabrina Shaw. 

(Above, Blue Bell Bonnie with driver Jim Morrill Jr. in the lead.)

Fisher wasn’t the only hot driver on the cold night as Jim Morrill Jr. also had a grand slam on Wednesday.

Morrill took the co-featured $10,200 Open I Handicap pace for fillies and mares with Blue Bell Bonnie who also went coast to coast. Blue Bell Bonnie tucked third off the gate but Morrill made an early power play pulling past the eighth to take the lead from Lady London (Ray Fisher Jr.) at the quarter. Once there, the pair led to the half in :58.1 and three-quarters in 1:27.1. Coming off the last turn Lady London pulled to take a shot at the leader but Blue Bell Bonnie would have none of that. She switched gears and paced away to an easy length win in 1:57.3. 

It was the sixth win of the year for Blue Bell Bonnie ($4.30) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama. 

Morrill filled out his card winning with Le Millienaire (2:02.3, $5.40), Southern Palms (2:00.3, $4.10) and Simonthediamond (2:03.2, $5.40). 

Live racing at Batavia Downs will resume one more time in 2020 as the meet comes to a close on Saturday (Dec. 9) and the Downs has announced there will be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager that night.

The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages will be available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs and USTA websites on Thursday (Dec. 10). 

Post time for the first race Saturday is 5 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs has announced there will be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager on Wednesday (Dec. 9).

The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages are available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs and USTA websites or by clicking here. 

The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager and if all five winners aren’t selected, any carryover pool will be moved to the Pick-5 wager on the Saturday (Dec. 12) program.

Post time for the first race Wednesday is 5 p.m.

Photo: McSpidey with driver Jim Morrill Jr. in the forefront.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Driver Jim Morrill Jr., trainer Jim Clouser Jr. and owner William Emmons teamed up to win both feature paces at Batavia Downs on a snowy and sloppy Saturday night (Dec. 5). 

In the $8,500 Open I Handicap pace, McSpidey coasted behind Tullow N (Dave McNeight III) through quarters of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:27.2 before leaving the pocket off the last turn and outpacing him to the wire in a quick :28.4 last quarter to win by 3/4 of a length in 1:56.2. 

It was the third straight win for McSpidey ($3.20) and his first Open I victory at Batavia Downs this year.

Then in the $7,500 Open II Handicap pace, Long Train Runnin left, took command and never looked back. After getting to the half in a tepid :58.2, Morrill hit the gas and opened up a three-length lead at three-quarters and extended it to five at the top of the stretch. From there he was wrapped up heading for home the easiest of winners in an identical time of 1:56.2. 

It was the second win in the last three starts and sixth win of the year for Long Train Runnin ($2.50) who has only missed one check in his last 10 starts. 

Morrill also won two more races on the card giving him a Grand Slam for the evening. Morrill is the meet’s leading dash win driver, currently with 97 wins. 

Another Grand Slam winner was trainer Gerry Sarama who scored four with Big Pocket Teen 1:59.1, $89.50), (Beachy Dream (1:58, $3.90), Sir Richie N (1:58.1, $3.00) and Love The Dragon (1:58.1, $5.60). Sarama has 60 wins this meet to lead all other trainers by a minimum of 30 wins. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Dec. 9) and will kick off the final week of the meet. Wednesday will feature a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager.

The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages will be available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs and USTA websites on Monday. 

The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager and if all five winners aren’t selected, any carryover pool will be moved to the Pick-5 wager on the Saturday (Dec. 12) program.

Post time for the first race Wednesday is 5 p.m.

Photo: Il Mago with driver Billy Davis Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

A field of Open trotters and Open filly and mare pacers went postward, each for $8,500 on Wednesday evening (Dec. 2) at Batavia Downs and two local favorites notched additional wins to their already impressive resumes. 

On the trot, Il Mago (Billy Davis Jr.) continued to dominate the diagonal-gaited gang after grabbing a quick lead and opening up a 2-1/2 length lead going to the quarter in :28.3. He then extended that lead to four lengths at the half and five at three-quarters. Turning for home, Il Mago was already wrapped-up and trotted unabated with 6-1/4 in hand stopping the clock in 1:56.4, which was only one-fifth of a second off his seasonal mark.

It was the 55^th career win, ninth win of the season and fourth win in a row for Il Mago ($4.60) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama.

(Above, Il Mago with driver Billy Davis Jr.)

The top distaff pacers saw the return of Il Mago (Billy Davis Jr.) after a seven week sabbatical and “Sissy” came to play on Wednesday. After taking command right off the gate, she tripped the timer in :28.1, :58.4 and 1:27.1 before a credible threat presented itself in the name of Lady Dudette (Kyle Cummings), who got close to the leader heading into the last turn. But close would be as far as it went as HP Sissy turned for home and held sway to the line where she won by 1/2 length in 1:56.3.

It was the seventh win of the year for HP Sissy ($6.50) and owner Finocchario’s Dream Stable. Jim McNeight trains the winner.

Bill Davis Jr. and Ray Fisher Jr. both had driving hat tricks on Wednesday while trainers Ryan Swift and Sabrina Shaw each registered two wins. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 5) with post time at 5 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs has announced there will be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager today (Dec. 2).

The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages for races one through five are available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs and USTA websites or by clicking here.

The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager and if all five winners aren’t selected, any carryover pool will be moved to the Pick-5 wager on the Saturday (Dec. 5) program.

Post time for the first race today is 5 p.m. 

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs has announced that it will be increasing all purses by 20 percent for the final week of racing of the 2020 meet. That would raise the top purse for all Opens from $8,500 to $10,200 all the way down to the bottom purse from $3,200 to $3,800. 

“It has been a very difficult season for everyone in this business and we are pleased to be raising the purses during the final days of racing to help the horsemen get a jump on their expenses heading into the downtime between meets.” said Todd Haight, director/general manager of Live Racing.

“Despite all the challenges this year, we have been able to complete our meet without interruption and that is do to everyone involved working safely and carrying out all our safety guidelines. Hopefully the increased purses will help make the holidays a little better for all.”    

The final week of racing consists of Wednesday (Dec. 9) and Saturday (Dec. 12) with post time for both days at 5 p.m.