harness racing

Photo: HP Sissy with driver Denny Bucceri.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The top class for both pacing mares and trotters were featured on the Wednesday (Oct. 14) card of racing at Batavia Downs and the public’s choice came through in both events. 

In the $8,500 Open I Handicap distaff pace, HP Sissy (Denny Bucceri) got away fifth while Protect Blue Chip (Billy Davis Jr.) paced on the lead through five-eighths of the mile. That is where HP Sissy came calling first-up on the rim, drawing close to the leader at the three-quarters. Protect Blue Chip and HP Sissy then strode neck-and-neck around the far turn and into the stretch where HP Sissy started to inch away, clear and then hold off a late closing Lady Dudette (Kyle Cummings) to win in 1:55.

HP Sissy ($5.40) scored her sixth win of the year for owner Finocchario’s Dream Stable and trainer Mike Ohol.

Above, CR Blazin Beauty with driver Ray Fisher Jr.

Then in the $8,500 Open I Handicap trot, CR Blazin Beauty (Ray Fisher Jr.) took a similar path to victory, getting away third behind Majestic Kat (Billy Davis Jr.) before tipping at the half and trotting unhurriedly outside the leader for the next three-eighths of a mile. At the head of the lane, CR Blazing Beauty just switched gears and sped away to a two-length advantage by mid-stretch and then just jogged home a winner in 1:57.2, which was a new seasonal mark. 

CR Blazin Beauty ($6.30) is owned by Marissa Russo and is trained by David Russo. 

Drivers Dave McNeight III and Drew Monti both scored Hat Tricks on Wednesday while trainer Rose Russo did so as well on the conditioning side. Triple Sticks and Drivin’ Drew are the two hottest drivers at the Downs over the last five days, winning 14 and 13 races respectively. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 17) 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 (Oct. 14).

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 (Oct. 17) program.

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

Black Is Back with driver Dave McNeight III.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Taking full advantage of the pylon position start, Black Is Back (Dave McNeight III) grabbed the lead by the quarter and took the field to the half in :57.3. By that time Stratosphere (Drew Monti) was rolling up the rim and moving towards the front. Black Is Back and Stratosphere battled up the backside, around the far turn and into the lane where Black Is Back put away the challenge and then held off a late charge by Mr. Euroman (BIlly Davis Jr.) to win by ¼ length in 1:54.3.

It was the fourth win of the Batavia meet and sixth win overall this year for Black Is Back ($3.30) who is owned by Curtis Edhholm and Mihajlo Zdjelar Sr. Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr. trains the winner. 

In the $7,500 Open II pace, Manciever (Drew Monti) pulled first-over at the 3/8th’s and took the lead from Santana Beach (Billy Davis Jr.) by the half and then kicked away to a 4-¾ length win in 1:54.1. Owned by Jeffrey Savidge and trained by Jennifer Giuliani, Manciever ($5) took a new seasonal mark in his third win of the year. 

Drew Monti had the hot hand in the sulky on Saturday winning five races on the card. He won with the aforementioned Manciever, Machlicious (1:54, $3.60), The Lunch Pail (1:55.2, $2.10), Thedoginthefight (1:57.4, $3.70) and Gallant Major (1:57.3, $7.20).  

Trainer Don Rothfuss led all conditioners with two wins on the night.  

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 14) and it was announced that there will be a guaranteed $3,000 pool in the Pick-5 wager that day.

It will be part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program and as such, there will be free program pages for the first five races on Wednesday available on the Batavia Downs website and the USTA website starting on Monday.

Post time for the first race will be 5 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

With no winner in the Pick-5 wager on Wednesday (Oct. 7) at Batavia Downs, there is a $1,462 carry-over pool today (Oct.10) and there will be a guaranteed pool of $4,000 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 are available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs website, the USTA’s website 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 Wednesday (Oct. 14) program.

Post time for today's first race is 5 p.m.

Lady Dudette with driver Kyle Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

A pair of $8,500 Open events topped the card at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 7) and connoisseurs of the longshot were very happy with the outcome of both events. 

In the Open I Handicap pace for fillies and mares, Lady Dudette took the overland route to victory in a short but select field.  

HP Sissy (Denny Bucceri) grabbed the lead and paced uncontested to the half in :57.1. Past the five-eighths, Lady Dudette (Kyle Cummings) pulled first-over from fifth and motored up towards the leader. The two mares were closely engaged by the three-quarters and around the last turn with neither giving way. At the top of the stretch Cummings asked for more and Lady Dudette came through. She paced away from HP Sissy and held off a late charging Protect Blue Chip (Billy Davis Jr.) to win by 3/4’s of a length in 1:56.3.

It was the seventh win of the year for Lady Dudette ($12) and her owner, driver Kyle Cummings. Tammy Cummings trains the winner.

(Above, Il Mago with driver Jim Morrill Jr.)

Then in the Open I trot, the tough-as-nails Il Mago looked his old self in a gate to wire win producing his second fastest clocking of the year. 

Il Mago (Jim Morrill Jr.) took early control and put the field to bed. After clipping quarters of :28.3 and :57.3, Il Mago opened up a three length lead trotting up the backside and extended it to five by the time he hit the top of the lane. From there he got home by 3/4’s of a length over a fast closing Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) and won in 1:56.4. 

It was the 51^st lifetime win for Il Mago ($26.40) and it pushed his lifetime bankroll to a very impressive $880,638. The classy 11-year-old son of Kadabra-Northern Style is owned by Mike Torcello and is trained by Gerry Sarama. 

Jim Morrill Jr. pulled off a not often seen feat at Batavia Wednesday when he won four consecutive races. Starting in race seven, he won with Southern Palms (1:59, $7.10), Il Mago, Tellawoman (1.56, $5.60) and Sentimental Lady (1:57.1, $7). Races seven to 10 just happened to be the Pick-4 wager and the all-Morrill Pick-4 returned $930.00. 

Besides Morrill’s four wins, Dave McNeight III had three wins while Billy Davis Jr. and Shawn McDonough each had two. 

McDonough also led all trainers on Wednesday with three wins while Russell Bratt, Rich Mays and Gerry Sarama all won two each. Sarama’s pair brought his lifetime training win total up to 996, now just four shy of the 1,000 win plateau.

There were no winners in the Pick-5 on Wednesday so the $1,462 carry-over pool will move to Saturday (Oct. 10) and Batavia Downs will be offering a $4,000 guaranteed pool through the USTA’s Strategic Wagering program for that wager. Free program pages will be available for the first five races on Saturday at both the Batavia Downs and USTA websites starting on Thursday (Oct. 8).

Post time for live racing on Saturday is 5 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs has announced that there will be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager today (Oct. 7).

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 USTA’s website or by clicking here. (https://legacy.trackmaster.com/usta/btv1007x.pdf) 

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 (Oct. 10) program.

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

Mr. Euroman with driver Billy Davis Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The best male pacers in western New York were on display at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 3) and the top two races produced some impressive efforts by the respective winners.

In the featured $8,500 Open I Handicap pace, Mr. Euroman turned a first-over move into his fourth win of the year after a hard fought stretch drive. 

Black Is Back (Dave McNeight III) went to the front quickly and led the single-file field to the half in a meek :57.4. The order stayed that way until Mr. Euroman (Billy Davis Jr.) pulled first-over past the five-eighths and motored toward the leader up the backstretch. Mr. Euroman drew even with Black Is Back at the three-quarters and they paced side by side around the last turn and down the stretch. The two did not separate until four pylons from the light when Mr. Euroman started to pull away under heavy urging from Davis to win by a length in 1:54.3. 

Mr. Euroman ($11) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice is the trainer.

Above photo Cultural Paradise with driver Drew Monti.

Then in the $7,250 Open II-III Handicap pace, Cultural Paradise turned in the fastest mile of the night after not getting a breather the entire mile. 

Pick Six (Denny Bucceri) played hardball off the gate and parked Cultural Paradise (Drew Monti) to the quarter in a quick :27 flat. When he cleared, Santana Beach (Billy Davis Jr.) was still on the rim and now on the attack for the lead. Moving past the half Santana Beach got a length in front of Cultural Paradise but was not able to cross over, leaving him parked for a third consecutive turn. As they paced up the backstretch, Cultural Paradise began to pull away and opened up a three length lead by the top of the stretch. He turned for home and cruised under a line drive to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:53.4, which was a new seasonal mark. 

It was the fourth win in the last five starts and third win in a row for Cultural Paradise ($7.40) and owner Howard Ouriel. Don Rothfuss trains the winner. 

Only three drivers accounted for 11 of the 13 races won on Saturday. Drew Monti and Dave McNeight III each scored four wins while Billy Davis Jr. registered three. Trainers Don Rothfuss, Rose Russo and Maria Rice all had two wins apiece. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 7) with post time at 5 p.m. Once again there will be a guaranteed $3,000 pool in the Pick-5 wager in conjunction with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering program. Free program pages of races one through five will be available for download starting on Monday.

Lunar Credit with driver Jim McNeight Jr., winning the featured $8,500 Open I trot at Batavia Downs Wednesday.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Heavy rain, strong winds and sloppy goings were not the best conditions for racing on Wednesday night (Sept. 30), but they were no match for the storm Billy Davis Jr. kicked up on the track while winning six of the 13 races at Batavia Downs.

Davis came out of the gate strong, winning both ends of the double with Surfers Paradise (1:57.3, $3.10) and The Land Shark (2:01.2, $14.80) and followed that up with victories with Wonderful World (1:56.1, $5.90), Pembroke Bada Bing (2:02, $22.20), Rockn Legend (2:00.3, $7.40) and Electric Chapel N (2:00.2, $4.30).

Davis, who is the defending dash driving champion at the Downs, started Wednesday in second place and 10 wins behind the current leader Jim Morrill Jr. But with Morrill drawing a blank during the card, Davis is now only four wins away from moving into a first place tie. 

Davis is also currently the tenth leading percentage driver in North America with a .342 Universal Driver Rating. Morrill is fifth in that category with a .377. 

The one race Davis did not win was the featured $8,500 Open I trot. That race went to Lunar Credit and Jim McNeight Jr. who lurked second behind the front running Il Mago (Jim Morrill Jr.) all the way to the top of the stretch where the one-path opened up. Lunar Credit shot the gap to catch the leader and fend off the fast closing Daylon Phantom (Drew Monti) and Before I Die (Dave McNeight III) to win by 1/2 length in 1:58.4. 

Lunar Credit ($10.40) scored his fourth win for his owner/driver McNeight Jr. The winner is trained by Jim McNeight.  

Jim McNeight Jr. also had a big night in the bike winning two more races to score the hat trick. 

Trainers Jim McNeight, Andy Torre, Don Niles and Sabrina Shaw all registered two wins on Wednesday. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 3) with post time at 6 p.m. 

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs has announced that there will be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager on Wednesday (Sept. 30).

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 USTA’s website 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 (Oct. 3) program.

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

Percy’s Z Tam in the lead with driver Jim Morrill Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The last time Percy’s Z Tam drew post one was March 14th and he took full advantage of his starting position as he won the featured $8,500 Open I pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday evening (Sept. 26). 

Long Train Runnin (Denny Bucceri) bolted the wings and overtook the point by the quarter in :27.2. With Percy’s Z Tam (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Mr. Euroman (Billy Davis Jr.) following closely in line, Long Train Runnin paced unimpeded to the half in :56.4 and would not feel the heat until midway up the backstretch. That’s where Morrill pulled Percy’s Z Tam and took the lead at the three quarters, rounded the last turn and took a two-length advantage into the stretch. He then paced sharply to the wire, holding off a late rush from Mr. Euroman to win by ½ length in 1:53.3, which was a new seasonal mark. 

It was the sixth win of the year for Percy’s Z Tam ($5.30) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama. 

In the $7,500 Open II pace, Harry Hoo N (Shawn McDonough) followed Under Paid (Ray Fisher Jr.) all the way to the top of the stretch where he tipped, took the lead and held it to the wire where he won by ½ length in 1:54.2, which was his best effort this year. 

Harry Hoo N ($11.60) scored his second win in the last three starts and the fourth win of the year for owner Harry Wortzman. McDonough also trains the winner. 

Drew Monti was the leading reinsman on Saturday winning three races on the card. Billy Davis Jr., Dave Mcneight III, Jim Morrill Jr. and Shawn McDonough all visited the Purple Haze winner’s circle twice. McDonough also registered two wins on the training side as well.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Majestic Kat takes the lead with driver Billy Davis Jr. at the reins.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

A pair of $8,500 Open I Handicap races topped the card at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 23) -- one for trotters and one for pacing mares -- and both produced gate to wire winners. 

Majestic Kat moved up to the Open I trot after a 4-1/2 length, 1:57.2 seasonal best win in the Open III last week and despite the jump in class, went almost the exact same mile. Billy Davis Jr. left with Majestic Kat and cut quarters of :28.3, :58.4 and 1:27.1 before Before I Die (Dave McNeight III) trotted alongside him in the last turn and then matched strides all the way down the lane. With less than a half-length between them for the last 1/16^th of the mile, Majestic Kat managed to hold her ground and beat Before I Die at the light by a 1/2 length in 1:57.1, which was another new seasonal mark. 

Majestic Kat ($7.90) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock and is trained by Maria Rice.  

Billy Davis Jr. added two more wins during the proceedings, walking away with a driving hat trick.

Above, HP Sissy and driver Denny Bucceri.

One race later in the top distaff pace, HP Sissy rebounded from two consecutive eight hole draws and went right to the front where she does some of her best work. Denny Bucceri sped to the quarter in :27.1 before grabbing leather in a :30 flat second panel, where the race was really decided. Blacknsweet Adda A (Jim Morrill Jr.) pulled on the second circuit with Protect Blue Chip (Billy Davis Jr.) on her back, but HP Sissy was up to the task. She hit the three-quarters in 1:25.4, rounded the far turn and opened up a two-length advantage while pacing sharply to the wire in 1:54.4. 

It was the fifth win of the year for HP Sissy ($7.10) who is owned by Finnocchario’s Dream Stable and trained by Mike Ohol. 

Finnocchario, Ohol and Bucceri doubled their pleasure Wednesday as they also won with Mach’s Echo who blew up the tote board with a $39.60 payoff. 

Jim Morrill Jr. had a big night in the bike, winning four races on the card. He scored with Sentimental Lady (1:57.1, $5.30), Il Mago (1:57, $4.40), Odyssey Blue Chip (1:58.1, $2.50) and You Mach Me Crazy (1:56.4, $2.30). 

Gerry Sarama trained the last three Morrill winners, giving him a training triple that was matched by fellow conditioner Sabrina Shaw. 

Drew Monti was the final multi-win horseman teaming two winners on the card. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 26) with post time at 5 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs has announced a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 23). 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 USTA’s website or by direct download 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, a carryover pool will move to the Saturday (Sept. 26) program.

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

Stratosphere with driver Drew Monti.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Despite a jump in class, a return to an inside post proved to be the ticket as Stratosphere went the route in the $8,500 Open I Handicap on Saturday night (Sept. 19) at Batavia Downs. 

Percy’s Z Tam (Jim Morrill Jr.) took a quick early lead but as soon as he crossed over, Stratosphere (Drew Monti) left the pocket, took the lead and called all the shots from there. After hitting the half in a rated :57.3, Stratosphere saw Under Paid (Denny Bucceri) at his flank as that one tried to apply pressure to the three-quarters. 

When they hit that station in 1:25.2, Under Paid had enough and started to fade, allowing Percy’s Z Tam a clear path to pull. Morrill pulled the trigger and Percy’s Z Tam took his best shot. But his best wasn’t good enough this night as Stratosphere kicked away and kicked away hard, opening up a two length advantage at the top of the stretch and pacing home in hand to win by 2-½ lengths in 1:53.4. 

It was the third win in the last five starts and the fifth win of the year for Stratosphere ($5.80) who is owned by Drew Monti and trained by Darrin Monti. 

In the undercard $7,000 Open III pace, McSpidey (Denny Bucceri) was never headed after taking command off the gate and cruised home to a 2-¾ length, 1:53.3 win, which was a new seasonal mark. William Emmons owns the Jim Clouser Jr. trained McSpidey ($3.20) who scored his third win of the year, all of which were at Batavia Downs. 

Drivers Drew Monti and Billy Davis Jr. each had three winners on the card while Jim Morrill Jr., Denny Bucceri and Ray Fisher Jr. had two wins apiece. Trainers Don Rothfuss and Don Niles both had two winners as well. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 23) with post time at 5 p.m. There will be a $3,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick-5 wager on Wednesday that is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering program. The Pick-5 starts in race one and runs through race five and free program pages for those races will be available on both the USTA and Batavia Downs websites early next week.

Photo: Before I Die with driver Dave McNeight III.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

It’s not too often a 9-year-old goes the race of a lifetime, but that’s just what Before I Die did in the $8,500 Open I Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (Sept. 16). 

Before I Die (Dave McNeight III) started from the pylons but got away fourth after a three-deep :27.4 mad dash for the front by Victoria Swan (Drew Monti), Il Mago (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Noble Legend (Billy Davis Jr.), who eventually took command. The action stayed fresh as the race passed the three-eighths where Before I Die tipped and proceeded in the breeze rounding the third turn. 

Before I Die trotted alongside Noble Legend and then went right by as the group entered the back straight and from there, he was gone. After opening up a 3-1/2 length lead in a 1:26.1 third quarter, Before I Die gained momentum with every stride around the last turn and then kicked away hard down the stretch to win by 7-3/4 lengths in 1:56.2, which was a new lifetime mark. 

Overlooked at 10-1, Before I Die ($22.80) scored his second win of the year for owners Jaime and Caren Dubay. Jaime Dubay trains the winner.

Above photo, Lady Dudette with driver Kyle Cummings (in red) out front, just before dead-heat with Protect Blue Chip and driver Billy Davis Jr. (in blue).

There was a dead-heat for win in the $8,000 Open I pace for fillies and mares after Protect Blue Chip (Billy Davis Jr.) led at every station with Lady Dudette (Kyle Cummings) right behind her. At the top of the stretch Lady Dudette pulled and matched strides with Protect Blue Chip all the way to the light and the photo nor the judges could separate the two in a race that went 1:54.4. 

Lady Dudette ($5) is owned by Kyle Cummings and trained by Tammy Cummings and Protect Blue chip ($3.40) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Team rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock and is trained by Maria Rice. 

Five drivers had multi-win nights at Batavia on Wednesday. Jim Morrill Jr. led the pack with three and Kyle Cummings, Ray Fisher Jr., Dave McNeight III and Drew Monti all scored two. Trainers Ryan Swift and Tammy Cummings also scored two wins apiece. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 19) at 5 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

There is a carryover of $858 in the Pick-5 at Batavia Downs and a guaranteed pool of $3,000 has been announced for that wager this afternoon (Sept. 16).

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 USTA’s website or by direct download 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 carryover amount will move to the Saturday (Sept. 19) program.

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

Mr. Euroman with driver Billy Davis Jr. in the forefront.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

After taking a week off, Mr. Euroman returned with strong resolve and won the $8,000 Open II Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 12). 

Daylight Rush (Dave McNeight III) started from the pylons and kept that position for most of the race. With no other leavers in the contest, McNeight guided Daylight Rush to a tepid half of :57.2 with Mr. Euroman (Billy Davis Jr.) sitting right on his back. 

Mcspidey (Kyle Cummings) pulled first-over in front of the stands but only got as close as a half-length to Daylight Rush by the three-quarters in 1:25.2. As they made their way through the turn, Mcspidey faded and Davis pulled right line on Mr. Euroman who popped out of the hole, barreled down the lane and ran down Daylight Rush at the wire to win by 1/4 length in 1:53.3, which was a new seasonal mark.  

It was the third win of the year for Mr. Euroman ($17.40) who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice is the trainer. 

In the $7,000 Open III pace, Polak A (Ray Fisher Jr.) came in fresh off a two-month layoff and bounced back strong his first start out of the box with a come-from-behind effort and strong stretch drive to catch the race-long leader Machlicious (Drew Monti) at the wire to win by a head in 1:55.2. 

Polak A ($25.20) is owned by Eric Prevost and trained by Sabrina Shaw. 

Billy Davis Jr. and Drew Monti both drove three winners on Saturday’s card while Shawn McDonough piloted two. McDonough also registered two wins on the training side along with Maria Rice.  

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs at 5 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 16). There will a carry over pool of $858 for the Pick-5 wager on Wednesday and as a result, a United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering guaranteed pool of $3,000 for that wager with free program pages available starting Sunday (Sept. 14) at www.ustrotting.com, www.bataviadownsgaming.com and on the Batavia Downs Facebook page.

Photo of Daylon Phantom with reinsman Renaldo Morales III.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

If last week’s 7-3/4 length romp wasn’t enough, Daylon Phantom put the exclamation point on the page this week with his best effort of 2020, winning the $8,000 Open I-II Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Sept. 9). 

Daylon Phantom (Renaldo Morales III) got away fifth while Il Mago (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Lunar Credit (Jim McNeight Jr.) jousted for the lead. With the latter taking control from the former by the half, Morales came first up with Daylon Phantom, drew alongside Lunar Credit at three-quarters and headed down the lane on top while holding off a late closing Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) to win by 1-1/4 in 1:57.1, which was a new seasonal mark. 

It was the second straight top class trot win for Daylon Phantom ($11.80) and owners Franklin Meier and Super Mile. Angelo Nappo is the trainer. 

Later in the $7,250 Open II-III trot, Victoria Swan (Drew Monti) led at every station before pulling away at the top of the lane and stretching out to a three length victory at the light in 1:58.1. Victoria Swan ($7.60) is owned by R.B.H. Ventures and Spagnola Racing. Sabrina Shaw trains the winner. 

Jim Morrill Jr. led all drivers on Wednesday with a grand slam on the card while Kyle Cummings had a hat trick of his own. Trainer Tammy Cummings was the top conditioner of the night with three wins as well. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 12) with a new, earlier post time of 5 p.m. 

Class Six in the forefront with driver Billy Davis Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

You might say it was a two-horse race at Batavia Downs, except that it was between the top two drivers in Western New York. Billy Davis Jr. won six races including the feature and Jim Morrill Jr. won five races including stringing four in a row, accounting for the winners of 11 of 13 races contested on Saturday night (Sept. 5). 

Davis’s best victory came in the $8,000 Open II Handicap pace behind Class Six. Davis sat in fourth with Class Six while Under Paid (Denny Bucceri) led the field around once. Then Davis pulled Class Six first over and made a three-wide move at the three-quarters, grabbed the lead by the top of the stretch and held off a late rally by Daylight Rush (Dave McNeight III) to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.1. 

It was the fifth win in 20 starts this year for Class Six ($19) who is owned by Eric Prevost and trained by Sabrina Shaw. 

Davis also scored with Inspector Murdoch (1:58.1, $4.80), Hold The Gold (1:55.4, $25.80), Sizzling summer (1:55.3, $5.10), Rockin Legend (1:58.2, $5.30) and This Baby Rocks (1:56.3, $2.20). All six wins were for six different trainers. 

Among the five wins Morrill scored was the co-featured $7,000 Open III pace where he went gate to wire with Atlantis ($3.80) in 1:56.3 for owner Mike Torcello and trainer Gerry Sarama. 

Morrill also won with Beachy Dream (1:55..2, $2.90), Sir Richie N (1:56.1, $3.20) and Odyssey Blue Chip (2:00.2, $8.60) which are also owned by Torcello and trained by Sarama giving them a grand slam evening, and Whosurpapa (1:56.1, $2.50). 

After their big nights, Morrill remains the leading driver of the meet with 39 wins, followed by Billy Davis Jr. who has 31. Drew Monti sits in third with 17 and Dave McNeight III is fourth with 16.

Davis is currently the ninth-leading percentage driver in North America for drivers with 500 or more starts (Davis has 536) with a UDR of .343, sitting right behind Tim Tetrick and just ahead of Dexter Dunn. Morrill is seventh among drivers in North America with between 300 and 499 starts (Morrill has 495) with a UDR of .383.

Batavia Downs had a big following at the windows on Saturday night as they registered their second largest handle ever under Western Regional Off Track Betting ownership, only behind the 2019 New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions last September. The Downs customers pumped over $120,000 more through the windows tonight than they did one years ago on this same date. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 9) with post time set for 5 p.m.

Photo: Daylon Phantom with driver Renaldo Morales III.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

A pair of big come-from-behind performances were put forth by the winners of the featured trot and pace that highlighted the card at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (Sept. 2). 

In the $8,000 Open I-II Handicap trot, Daylon Phantom (Renaldo Morales III) tracked the leading Il Mago (Jim Morrill Jr.) from fifth to the half before following State Ofmyhead As (Ray Fisher Jr.) outside to the three-quarters where he tipped three-deep and from there, annihilated the field down the lane winning by 7-3/4 lengths in 1:57.4.  

It was the third win of the year and a new seasonal mark for Daylon Phantom ($12.20) who is owned by Franklin Meier and Super Mile. Angelo Nappo does the training.  

(Photo: Lady Dudette with driver Kyle Cummings.)

And in the $7,500 Open II-III pace for fillies and mares, Lady Dudette (Kyle Cummings) followed a similar path, getting away fifth behind Lady London (Ray Fisher Jr.) who had paced away to a five open length lead at the three-quarters.

There, Lady Dudette was fourth on the outside and pacing up a storm. A highly animated Cummings continued to urge the mare around the last turn and Lady Dudette caught the leader mid-stretch and opened up a 1-3/4 length lead at the wire in 1:55.4. 

Lady Dudette ($16.20) now has two wins in a row for Kyle Cummings, who also owns the mare. Tammy Cummings trains the winner. 

Driver Billy Davis Jr. had the hat trick on Wednesday while Ray Fisher Jr., Dave McNeight III and Jim Morrill Jr. all had doubles. Trainer Jim Clouser Jr. also had a training double. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday night with a later post time of 7:05 due to the Kentucky Derby.