harness racing

Submitted photo of Kevin Cummings, the leading dash driver of the 2015 season.

By Tim Bojarski, president, UNY-USHWA

The Batavia Downs meet isn’t over, but the competition for the winningest driver and trainer certainly is. Kevin Cummings and JD Perrin are the leading dash driver and trainer for the 2015 season, repeating their dominance from last year and they will be honored by the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness writers Association (UNY-USHWA).

Cummings currently has 131 victories during the meet, which total 49 more than his nearest competitor. And his $683,838 in purses won is at least a quarter-million dollars more than anyone else.

For the year, Cummings has already posted career numbers with 334 wins, $1.77 million in earnings and a UDR of .367. That UDR ranks him tenth in North America among all drivers. Cummings seasonal totals only pile onto his career statics that include 3,304 wins and $13.7 million in earnings.

Perrin posted 56 wins for the meet and his horses earned $236,822 for his efforts. He is also firing at a lofty .376 UTR.

As far as the entire year is concerned, Perrin has 125 wins, $633,747 in earnings and a UTR of .353. That UTR ranks him 10th as well among all trainers in North America to this point in 2015. Perrin’s career numbers include 569 wins and $2.4 million in purses.

UNY-USHWA has also named James Clouser Jr. their recipient of the 2015 Rising Star Award.

Since relocating his base of operations to Upstate New York early last summer, James Clouser Jr. has been on a tear. After only making minimal starts as a conditioner from 2008 until 2013, Clouser made some noise in 2014 winning 42 races from 191 outings and banked $229,887 in earnings. But this year he’s more than doubled all those numbers.

With only days of live racing left this year, Clouser has won 86 races and earned $454,359 in prizes on the strength of 286 starts. He is also boasting a gaudy .439 UTR. The 86 wins make him the top dash winning trainer in North America for conditioners with fewer than 300 starts.

For the current Batavia Downs meet, Clouser is the second leading trainer (behind JD Perrin) with 42 wins from 140 starts, $207,894 in earnings and a .431 UTR.

Kevin Cummings, JD Perrin and James Clouser Jr. will receive their awards in the Purple Haze Winner’s Circle at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 12) during UNY-USHWA’s Night of Distinction.

Submitted photo below of JD Perrin, the leading trainer of the 2015 season.

Photo of Lucky Nadotremblay out in front (reinsman Shawn McDonough), courtesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Lucky Nadotremblay was pushed every step of the way Saturday night (Dec. 5), but the performance of a lifetime got him across first in the $10,000 Open pacing feature at Batavia Downs.

Leaving from post one, Lucky Nadotremblay (Shawn McDonough) was immediately greeted by Adversary Seelster (Ron Beback Jr.) and Jokerman (Jim McNeight) as the race rounded the first turn. The treble cavalry charge ferociously continued up the backside and to the quarter in :27.1 before Jokerman pulled off from three-high and dropped in second-over behind Adversary Seelster.

Adversary Seelster continued to pace side by side with Lucky Nadotremblay past the half in :56 but started to do the backstroke by the three-quarters in 1:24.4. At that station Cobble Beach (Dave McNeight III) who had been tracking from fifth, tipped three-wide around the fading competition to move alongside Lucky Nadotremblay, which started a two-horse competition that pulled away from the field. Cobble Beach inched closer and closer but Lucky Nadotremblay refused to lose and hung on to win by a neck in 1:53.4, which was a new lifetime mark for the victor.

It was the eighth win of the year for Lucky Nadotremblay ($7.20) and it boosted his 2015 earnings to $65,320 for owners Paul Viele and Ronald Louis Viele. Alex Giuliani trains the 5-year-old son of Blissful Hall.

Veteran reinsman Jack Flanigen put on a show, winning five races on the card that included the first four straight events. He scored with Big Dutch ($2.60), Bondy N ($2.10), Boots N Bourbon ($4.90), China Dream ($7) and Keystone Dalton ($2.50). Dave McNeight III won three and Ron Beback Jr. scored a double. James Clouser Jr. had a training hat trick while Jim Graham and Maria Rice conditioned two winners each. 

The final week of racing kicks off on Wednesday night (Dec. 9) with post time set for 6:15. The meet is down to the final three nights of live racing for 2015.

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

It’s not too often a horse gets passed at the head of the lane and comes back on to win, but that is exactly what Justgottogetthere did in Friday night’s (Dec. 4) $9,500 trotting feature at Batavia Downs.

Leaving from post four, Justgottogetthere (Ron Beback Jr.) left quickly to take the lead and provide pylon-starter Leave Your Mark (Kevin Cummings) with a perfect trip. The rest of the field struggled to keep up as the leading pair went to the half in :59.3.

After that second station, it became two separate races; Justgottogetthere and Leave Your Mark broke away from the pack by four lengths. Cummings pulled Leave Your Mark at the three-quarter pole and drew alongside of Justgottogetthere before taking a length lead at the top of the stretch. Looking well on his way to victory, Leave Your Mark was quickly rebuffed when Beback urged Justgottogetthere on and the game trotter responded; retaking the lead and eventually winning the race by a length in 1:58.3.

The win was the 10th of the year for Justgottogetthere ($7.50), but the first since Aug. 28. The winner’s share of the purse pushed his 2015 earnings to $63,402 for owners Antonietta Landi and North Creek Racing, LLC. Jerry Nugent Jr. trains the 6-year-old gelded son of Valley Victor.

Shawn McDonough had the hot hands on Friday, winning four races driving as well as one as trainer. Drew Monti was right behind with a hat-trick and Ron Beback Jr. doubled up. Trainers Russell Bratt and Alex Giuliani both sent two winners to get their pictures taken.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday tonight (Dec. 5) at 6:15. There are only four cards of racing left in the 2015 meet.

Photo of Mach This Way with driver Ron Beback Jr., courtesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

It was round two of the heavyweight fight between Mach This Way and Memumsnotnice in the $9,500 distaff pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Dec. 2) and when the race was run, Mach This Way avenged last week's result. 

In a complete role reversal from a week ago, Memumsnotnice (Ray Fisher Jr.) was forced to sit in second as Mach This Way (Ron Beback Jr.) forced her way to the lead and made it clear that no one else would head her. Then over a rain-soaked track, they proceeded to splash to the half in :57.3.

As the girls made their way past three-quarters, Mach This Way and Memumsnotnice separated themselves from the rest of the field and it became a two-horse race at the top of the lane. From there, Memumsnotnice pulled and tried to overtake, but Mach This Way dug in and toughed-out a solid length victory in 1:57.

It was the seventh win of the year for Mach This Way ($3.30), including four wins in six consecutive Batavia Downs starts and the winners share enhanced her financial situation to $55,130 for owner William Emmons. James Clouser Jr. trains the 6-year-old daughter of Mach Three.

Several horsemen had multi-win evenings. Ron Beback Jr. scored a driving triple while Kevin Cummings registered a double. Trainers Kirk Desmond, James Clouser Jr. and Russell Bratt all sent two winners to post.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Dec. 4) with post time at 6:15 p.m.

(Kevin Cummings driving Memumsnotnice out in front.)

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

After fading late in her last two outings, Memumsnotnice displayed true grit this week to win the $9,500 top distaff class at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Nov. 25)

Downs leading reinsman, Kevin Cummings, rousted Memumsnotnice off the gate and into the lead before pacing unchallenged to the half in :58.1. But it was at that point it became a true horse race. Mach this Way (Ron Beback Jr.) pulled first-over at that station and drew alongside the leader. The pair then paced in tandem through the cold night air, for the next quarter mile in :28.1.

They continued their duel into the far turn before Memumsnotnice got stout-hearted and forged ahead of her foe. When she established a length advantage, Memumsnotnice dug in and would not let anyone get closer than that. She hit the wire first in 1:56.

It was the sixth win of the year for Memumsnotnice ($4.90), including four wins in her last six starts at Batavia Downs. The winner’s share of the purse pushed the mare’s 2015 bankroll to $51,018 for owners Thatsideofthefence LLC and John Mungillo, who also trains the daughter of Jereme’s Jet.

Three drivers won ten of the 12 races on Wednesday. Kevin Cummings had a four-bagger while Shawn McDonough and Dave McNeight III both scored hat-tricks. Trainer Kirk Desmond also sent two of his students to the winner’s enclosure.

Batavia Downs would like to wish all horsemen and fans a very Happy Thanksgiving and looks forward to the next card of live racing which will be held on Friday (Nov. 27) at 6:15 p.m. Just a reminder; there are only eight racing days left in the year.

Adversary Seelster with driver Ron Beback Jr., photo courtesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

How do you top a five-win night? Simple; win six! That’s exactly the kind of weekend Batavia Downs dash driving leader Kevin Cummings had.

After winning five races on Friday, Cummings took six of the 12 races on the card Saturday night, including the last five straight races. And he finished second twice and third three times besides. In fact, he was only off the board once all night. That performance translated into a .676 UDR for the night.

Cummings took pictures with Lucky Nadotremblay ($2.80), B Eva’s Lucky Lad ($5.50), In The Clear ($7.20), Camstar ($10.20), Noble Legend ($7.50) and Precise Accusation ($18).

As a result of his two-day winning spree, Cummings now has 115 victories for the meet and that puts him 39 ahead of his nearest competitor. For 2015, Cummings has registered 318 wins and $1.7 million in earnings. That win total is only 16 shy of his career best, which was set last year.

In the $10,000 Open pace feature at Downs, a two-horse duel resulted in Adversary Seelster being the best among seven of the best resident pacers.

Jokerman (Jim McNeight) left fast to take control of the front, but Adversary Seelster (Ron Beback Jr.) came out early to overtake him by the quarter. Positions remained the same until Youwillwishyouhad (Kevin Cummings) pulled at the half and charged hard at the leader.

Cummings pushed the pace to three-quarters, gaining a slight advantage on the outside at that point. But after Beback popped the plugs on Adversary Seelster, the gelding found another gear and responded in kind. He put away Youwillwishyouhad and then fended off a late challenge by Jokerman before hitting the wire first in 1:55.2.

It was the fourth win of the year for Adversary Seelster, and the winning time was a seasonal mark for him. The winner’s share of the purse pushed his 2015 earnings to $35,100 for owners Keith Pinkowski and Curtis Edholm. Adversary Seelster is trained by the currently red hot Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr.

Jim McNeight and Ron Beback Jr. both had driving doubles, while conditioner Alex Giuliani sent three of his trainees to the winner’s circle.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 25) at 6:15 p.m.

Lutetium (Kevin Cummings)

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

It’s an old story, but one that’s frequently told in western New York. Lutetium wins another $9,500 Open trot feature race at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Nov. 20).

Leaving from the outside (post six) in an abbreviated field, Lutetium (Kevin Cummings) shot right to the front and took a lead he would never relinquish. With a loose, two-length advantage for most of the race, Lutetium cut quarters of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:28.2. As he opened up a wider margin past that last station, Cummings guided Lutetium to the wire first in 1:58.2 as the rest of the field viewed his efforts while arguing for minor spoils.

It was the tenth win of the season for Lutetium ($3.20) and sixth victory at Batavia Downs this meet. The winner’s share of the purse inflated his 2015 earnings to $80,371 for owner Colleen Girdlestone. Mark Laidlaw trains the 8-year-old gelded son of Credit Winner.

The Downs' leading driver, Kevin Cummings, registered a quintet of victories Friday night, extending his already insurmountable lead in the dash win category for the meet. He finished first with Lutetium ($3.20), Creating A Dream ($3.10), Leave Your Mark ($8.90), Livefreeordiehard ($8.10) and Rebel Teen ($4.80). Shawn McDonough and Ray Fisher Jr. also had driving doubles.

On the training side, John Mungillo sent three horses to the winner’s circle and Mihalo Zdjelar Jr. did the same with two.

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Wind gusts topping 50 mph could not dissuade the best effort of Mach This Way after she got aired-out for more than half a mile before winning the $10,000 Open mares pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Nov. 18).

The race was basically the tale of two mares. Memumsnotnice (Drew Monti) who shot right to the front to cut the fractions as she normally does and Mach This Way (Ron Beback Jr.), who was taken back to sixth until past the quarter pole.

Coming to the head of the stretch the first time, Beback pulled Mach This Way first-over and started a slow, methodical march towards the leader. By the time the field hit the three-quarter pole, Mach This Way was almost alongside Memumsnotnice and had no intention of stopping. The pair broke away from the pack, paced stride-for-stride around the far turn and matched steps all the way down the stretch until Mach This Way got a late advantage to win by a half-length in 1:56.4.

It was the sixth win of the year for Mach This Way ($17.80) and pushed her earnings to $48,005 for owner William Emmons. James Clouser Jr. trains the Mach Three mare.

Ron Beback Jr. had an outstanding night in the sulky, winning four races. He took pictures with Dirt Track Momma ($6.90), Mach This Way ($17.80), China Dream ($3.30) and Carman Coyote ($13.20). Drew Monti, Jack Flanigen and Ray Fisher Jr. all scored driving doubles. Trainers James Clouser Jr. and Maria Rice also sent two horses each to the winner’s enclosure.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Nov. 20) at 6:15.

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations:

Horsemen racing at Batavia Downs are reminded of draw schedule changes for Thanksgiving week.

A double draw will take place on Tuesday (Nov. 24) for races cards on to be held on Friday (Nov. 27) and Saturday (Nov. 28). The entry box will close at the normal time of 9 a.m. You must also enter horses for Wednesday's qualifiers on Tuesday (Nov. 24) by 10 a.m.  

All program information, including driver changes, must be submitted to the judges by 2 p.m. on Tuesday (Nov. 24).

Qualifying races will remain at the regular time of 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

There are 12 more race cards remaining in the 2015 season that concludes on Dec. 12. Post time for all remaining cards will be 6:15 p.m.

For more information please visit the horsemen's link at www.bataviadownsgaming.com

Western Alumni and driver Ray Fisher Jr., photo courtesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

The weather was clear but Western Alumni made it rain Saturday night (Nov. 14) at Batavia Downs when he went worst-to-first at 12-1 in the field of seven to capture the $10,000 Open pace feature.

It was a jailbreak off the gate as Adversary Seelster (Ron Beback Jr.), Jokerman (Jim McNeight) and post time favorite Cobble Beach (Kevin Cummings) went three deep for the first two furlongs, tripping the timer in :26.4. The field settled itself just in time for Western Alumni (Ray Fisher Jr.) to pull from seventh and start his outside trek towards the leader.

At the half, Button Fly (Shawn McDonough) pulled out in front of Western Alumni and provided a windshield for him to the top of the lane. From there, Western Alumni tipped three-deep and Fisher proceeded to rock-n-knock to a length victory over a fast-closing Best Ears (Jack Flanigen) in 1:54.3.

It was the fifth win of the year for Western Alumni ($26.20), pushing his earnings to $49,986 for 2015. Jerry Nugent Jr. trains the 7-year-old Western Hanover gelding for North Creek Racing LLC.

Trainer JD Perrin widened his lead as the top dash-winning trainer of the meet by sending four horses to the winner’s enclosure. Barn stars for the night included Dancin Thea ($8.40), Meadowlandcampbell E ($2.50), Youwillwishyouhad ($2.50) and Veto Hanover ($5.00). Drivers Drew Monti, Kevin Cummings, Jim McNeight and Ray Fisher Jr. all won two races.

Live racing at Batavia Downs resumes on Wednesday night (Nov. 18) with post time at 6:15.

Studio City (#3) with driver Dave McNeight III pullls ahead to win the Open trot Friday night at Batavia Downs. Photo courtesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations:

Racing brave in a first-over trip, lightly regarded Studio City ($19.80) scored his second straight top-class win, taking the $10,000 Open trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Nov. 13).

After Curious George (Jack Flanigen) directed the field to a :28.4 quarter, Studio City (Dave McNeight III) pulled first-over at three-eighths and started his march to the front. The outer flow continued to grow as Write That Down (Shawn McDonough) joined the fray in a :59.1 half.

When the group hit three-quarters, Studio City and Curious George were neck and neck before Write That Down tipped three-deep around the last turn and Justgottogetthere (Ron Beback Jr.) found room in the passing lane. The quartet battled four-abreast all the way down the lane with Studio City getting up to photo out Justgottogetthere in 1:59.2. Write That Down finished third.

Two heads and a neck separated the top four finishers of the race.

It was the fifth win of the year for Studio City and pushed the 2015 earnings of the 6-year-old Conway Hall gelding to $50,407 for owners Scott Woogen and Lisa Denison. Lisa Lederhouse trains the winner.

Sean McDonough continued to be the hottest driver on the grounds, winning four races on Friday. That moved him in to third place among the locals for dash wins this meet. The leader in that race, Kevin Cummings, had a driving double along with Ron Beback Jr. and Dave McNeight III.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 14) with post time set at 6:15 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Before returning last week, Little Santamonica hadn’t competed at Batavia Downs since early in the 2014 meet when she won back to back Open distaff races. It took her a week, but she regained her old form at the Genesee County oval on Wednesday night (Nov. 11) in winning the $10,000 Open mares pace.

Little Santamonica (Shawn McDonough) took a seat early and watched as three-straight winner, Memumsnotnice (Kevin Cummings), battle her way to the lead in a swift :27 quarter over a track rated “good." Then as she has done for the past three weeks, Memumsnotnice proceeded to lead the field by a loose two lengths en route to tripping the three-quarters in 1:25.3.

At the top of the last turn, Ding (Jack Flanigen) took her best shot, getting almost alongside the leader. But that advance gave Little Santamonica (who had been locked in fourth) just enough room to swing off the pylons and tip three deep. From there, McDonough needed little urging as the mare flew down the lane past the leader to win in 1:55.3.

It was the tenth win of the season for Little Santamonica ($7.40) and the winner’s share of the purse boosted her annual earnings to $79,735 for owner Jordan Hope, who also trains the mare.

Shawn McDonough scored the natural driving hat trick in races five through seven with Enzo Seelster ($13.80), Red Clay ($2.70) and Little Santamonica ($7.40). Kevin Cummings, Ron Beback Jr. and Jim McNeight also scored driving doubles.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Nov. 13) with post time at 6:15 p.m.

(Cobble Beach with driver Jack Flanigen, photo courtesy of Paul White.)

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Not one to be camera shy, Cobble Beach took the overland-route to capture another $9,000 Open pace feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 7).

Sent off as the 3-2 favorite, Cobble Beach was taken to the back of the pack by driver Jack Flanigen at the start of the race as a contentious battle for the lead was staged between Button Fly (Shawn McDonough) and FB Seelster (Dave McNeight III). The latter took command before the group completed the first circuit in :57.2.

Cruising past five-eighths, If It Rains (Kevin Cummings) pulled first-over and brought Cobble Beach with him in tow. After the herd hit three-quarters in 1:26.4, If It Rains went by FB Seelster around the far turn and Cobble Beach passed If It Rains in the lane to take the lead and the race in 1:55.3.

It was the tenth win of the season for Cobble Beach ($5.10) and his best single-year earnings total continued to rise to $78,680 for owner Leonard Segall. James Clouser Jr. trains the 5-year-old Artiscape gelding.

The red-hot Jack Flanigen has been on a tear of late and Saturday was no exception. Flanigen bagged a quintuplet of victories and lit up the tote board in the process with Stirling Cadillac ($36.80), Cobble Beach ($5.10), Best Ears ($8.80), Peter Pumpkineater ($2.60) and Reachinforthestars ($11.40).

Kevin Cummings, Jim McNeight and Ron Beback Jr. also had driving doubles. Trainers JD Perrin and Maria Rice both sent two starters to the winner’s circle.

The $2,004 Pick-5 carry-over pool provided one lucky bettor a $4,700 payout for a .50-cent bet Saturday after he cashed in his 6-1-6-1-1 winning ticket.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night with the first post set for 6:15.

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Studio City made a beeline for the lead and took no prisoners once that position as acheived, en route to victory in the $8,500 Open I-II trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Nov. 6).

Dave McNeight III sent Studio City to the quarter in :28.4 before backing off the next panel to :31. The breather forced three horses to pull and attack going to the half, but only Diamonds For Life (Ron Beback Jr.) got even remotely close to the leader. Studio City fought off the challengers around the far turn and proceeded to pull away to a three-length victory in 1:58.4.

It was the fourth win of the year for Studio City ($8.80) and the purse pushed his earnings to $45,407 for owners Scott Woogen and Lisa Denison. Lisa Lederhouse trains the winner.

Several horsemen made multiple visits to the winner’s circle on Friday. Jack Flanigen had a driving triple while Kevin Cummings, Jim McNeight and Ray Fisher Jr. all registered doubles. On the training side, John Mungillo, Maria Rice and JD Perrin all sent two winners to post.

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 7), the Pick-5 carryover pool will be $2,004, which is the largest carryover pool of the 2015 season.

(Photo of Memumsnotnice with driver Ray Fisher Jr., courtesy of Paul White)

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

After winning two of her first four races of 2015 back in January and February, Memumsnotnice (Ray Fisher Jr.) went 0-for-21 the next eight months. But that drought ended in October and now the mare is riding a three-race win streak, all in Open mares company and all at Batavia Downs.

On Wednesday (Nov. 4), Memumsnotnice ($7.20) took the $10,000 distaff Open pace in the same dominating fashion she displayed the previous two weeks. After leaving from post five, she led by a loose two-lengths while cutting fractions of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:25.4 before cruising home unchallenged in 1:55. The winning time was a new seasonal mark.

In her last three starts, Memumsnotnice has led at every station and won those races by a combined seven lengths.

The winner’s share of Wednesday’s purse pushes Memumsnotnice's earnings to $42,568 for owners Thatsideofthefence, LLC, and John Mungillo, who also trains the 6-year-old Jereme’s Jet mare.

Kevin Cummings, Shawn McDonough, Jack Flanigen, Dave McNeight III and Ray Fisher Jr. all scored driving doubles Wednesday night.

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Nov. 6) at 6:15, the Pick-5 carryover will be $1,173. That is one of the largest carry-over pools of the season.

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

The last matinee card of the year at Batavia Downs was held on Saturday (Oct. 31) and featured the top-two pacing classes on the grounds and the performances turned in by the winner of each were equally impressive.

Cobble Beach (Jack Flanigen) shook off a couple fringe finishes and took no prisoners going wire to wire in the $10,000 Open pace in 1:54.4. It was the ninth win of 2015 for Cobble Beach ($7.70), which has become a career year for wins and earnings (now $74,180) for the 5-year-old Artiscape gelding. James Clouser Jr. trains Cobble Beach for owner Leonard Segall.

In the co-feature $8,400 Open II, Historian (Jim McNeight) took advantage of a two-hole trip behind FB Seelster (Dave McNeight III) and stalked the leader the entire mile before shooting up the passing lane in deep-stretch to garner victory by a mere head. Historian ($12.20) toured the course in 1:53.3, which was a new lifetime mark for the 5-year-old Stonebridge Regal gelding. Jack and Maria Rice own the winner with Maria Rice also doing the training.

Several horsemen made multiple trips to the winner's circle on Saturday. Kevin Cummings, Jim McNeight and Jack Flanigen all had driving triples while trainers Maria Rice, James Clouser Jr. and JD Perrin all sent two winners postward.

Arainna Brone, who was visiting Batavia Downs while home for the weekend from college, won the $4,000 pair of diamond earrings in the “Diamond of a Day” promotion sponsored by TAG Jewelers.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 4) with post time at 6:15 p.m.

(Photo of Arainna Brone with Tony Gruppo of TAG Jewelers, courtesy of Paul White.)

(Photo of Write That Down with reinsman Shawn McDonough, ocurtesy of Paul White.)

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Write That Down proved that last week’s Open II win was no fluke as he took on the best resident trotters Friday night (Oct. 30) and came out on top in the $9,500 Open trot at Batavia Downs.

When prohibitive post-time favorite Lutetium (Kevin Cummings) left from post six to take the lead, the rest of the field stood down and followed in post one-through-five order behind him. After a :28.1 quarter, the leader started to back-off the pace and that is when Write That Down (Shawn McDonough) pulled and started his move.

Slowly and methodically, Write That Down advanced on the outside and drew within a length of the leading Lutetium at three-quarters in a brisk 1:27.3. When the race rounded the last turn, these two separated themselves from the rest of the field; Lutetium at the pylons and Write That Down to his right flank. With both Cummings and McDonough rocking and knocking down the lane, Write That Down nosed out Lutetium at the wire in 1:57.2.

It was the seventh win of the year for Write That Down ($15.80) including three wins at Batavia Downs in only four starts here and his owners Scott Beecher and Daniel Seidberg have now banked $43,642 on account of the 4-year-old’s efforts. Jeff Sorenson trains Write That Down.

Ron Beback Jr. piloted three winners on the night and Jack Flanigen had two.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 31) with a special Breeders Cup matinee that gets under way at 1:15.

(Photo of Memumsnotnice with driver Ray Fisher Jr., courtesy of Paul White.)

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Experiencing the same inclement weather as most of the country on Wednesday night (Oct. 28), six top-class distaff side-wheelers went postward in the wind, rain and sloppy track conditions to compete in the $9,500 Open mares pace at Batavia Downs. And when all was said and done, Memumsnotnice dominated her peers once again.

Starting from post one for the fourth consecutive week, Memumsnotnice (Ray Fisher Jr.) briefly yielded the lead to Country Delight (Jack Flanigen) before retaking at the quarter. She then waltzed unchallenged to a :32 second quarter, unfazed by the river of mud underfoot.

While maintaining a solid three-length lead up to that point, Fisher let the mare out a notch and paced a quick :28.3 third panel in an attempt to put the girls away at that station. The ploy was successful and no one had an answer; Memumsnotnice left the field in her spray en route to a convincing, four-length victory.

It was the fourth win of the year (including second in a row) for Memumsnotnice ($4.90) and the spoils pushed her annual earnings to $37,568 for owners Thatsideofthefence, LLC, and John Mungillo, who also trains the mare.

Ray Fisher Jr. scored a driving triple Wednesday while Drew Monti, Dave McNeight III and Jack Flanigen all registered doubles. Trainers Jim Graham, Dave McNeight Jr. and James Clouser Jr. each sent two winners postward.

Racing resumes on Friday night (Oct. 30) with post time set at 6:15.