Batavia, NY — Due to warm temperatures causing a quick thaw of the track, the judges made the decision to cancel the live card of racing scheduled for Monday, Feb. 24 out of an abundance of caution for the safety of all the participants.

Monday was the final day of racing for the 2025 winter meet and the Jackpot Hi-5 carryover pool of $4,251 that was scheduled to be paid out will now be moved to opening day of the summer meet on Saturday, July 26, and will also be a mandatory payout.

By Tim Bojarski for Batavia Downs 

Batavia, NY — Although she moved up in class, out in post and completely reversed racing strategies, Celia Bayama claimed her second straight win in the $9,500 fillies and mares pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 10) afternoon. 

Kyle Swift took Celia Bayama off the gate and tucked in fifth while Legal Jeopardy (Dave McNiehgt III) and Scenic Adventure (Kevin Cummings) battled to the quarter in :28 flat. Scenic Adventure finally took command, crossed over to the pegs and backed the half down to a more tempered :58.4. Swift had Celia Bayama out and rolling passing five-eighths and advanced on the backside in first-over fashion to draw even with Scenic Adventure at three-quarters in 1:29.

From there, Swift high-lined and bounced behind Celia Bayama all through the last turn, trying to coerce her to pass Scenic Adventure, which she did at the top of the stretch. As they headed for home, Celia Bayama paced hard to the line while turning back a late lunge by Legal Jeopardy in the passing lane to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.4. 

It was the 20th career victory for Celia Bayama ($12.60) who is owned by Barry Charles and trained by Chris Petrelli. 

Joe Chindano Jr., the Downs leading driver this meet, enhanced his lead on Monday after winning four more races during the card. Chindano won with Keystone Phoenix (1:59.2, $2.60), Kenobi (2:00.2, $4.50), Blue Madam (1:59.4, $14.20) and Heir of Southwest (2:00.4, $4.50). Chindano now has 33 wins for the winter meet and sits six victories ahead of Brett Beckwith who currently has 27.

Trainers Chris Petrelli and Candace Brandstatter-Hall each had two wins during the card to lead the conditioner colony on Monday.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 13) at 3:00 p.m. with a $4,251 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race. There are only four more live racing dates in the 2025 winter meet, which concludes on Monday, February 24.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Despite high winds and a sloppy track, Itsallaboutfaith N blazed a trail from start to finish to claim his second straight $13,000 Open Handicap pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 6) afternoon. 

Brett Beckwith put Itsallaboutfaith N on the point and fought 40 MPH headwinds while setting fractions of :28.3, :59.2 and 1:28.4 with the favored Primo Uomo (Joe Chindano Jr.) drafting in second and the rest of the field struggled to keep up. The top two peeled away from the group as they made their way around the last turn. When the pair entered the homestretch, Primo Uomo tipped and tried to catch the leader. But  Itsallaboutfaith N just kept on going and won by 1-¼ lengths in 1:57.3, which was the fastest clocking of the night. 

Itsallaboutfaith N ($6.00) is owned by PT Stable and trained by Gareth Dowse. 

Beckwith ended the day with a total of three driving wins. 

In the co-featured $13,000 Open Handicap trot, My One Percent made his second foray into the top class a winning one after tripping-out to a one length victory. 

Kyle Cummings put My One Percent in the pocket behind Missile (Brett Beckwith) and took his cover through quarters of :29.3, 1:00.1 and 1:30 while Double Class (Dave McNeight III) was parked on the outside. After making his way through the last turn, Cummings sent My One Percent into the passing lane and went right by Missile and continued to trot smartly to the line where he won in 1:59.4.

It was the third win in only four 2025 starts for My One Percent ($6.10) who is owned by Steve and Nancy Pratt and trained by Kirk Desmond. 

There was also a $17,500 Trackmaster series final for the TM 78 group that was won by Mauries Bonus A, who Joe Chindano Jr. pulled from fifth at the half, tipped three-wide at three-quarters and all around the last turn before scooting home a game winner by 1-½ lengths in 2:02.2.

Mauries Bonus A ($16.60) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags and trained by Maria Rice. 

Kevin Cummings also had three driving wins on Thursday, two of which were trained by Sam Smith. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 10) at 3:00 p.m. with a $3,529 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race. 

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Sent off at 50-cents to the dollar in the featured $9,500 pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 3), Oaxacan Dream N lived up to the hype on a rainy night over a sloppy track with an impressive gate-to-wire win, which was her first of 2025.

Dave McNeight III made it quick and simple as he sent Oaxacan Dream N to the front off the gate and laid down measured fractions of :29.5, :59 and 1:29.2 to three quarters, where she held a 1-¼ length lead over the pocket-sitting Scenic Adventure (Kevin Cummings). With no other legitimate threats coming from behind, Oaxacan Dream N rounded the last turn and entered the stretch before pacing away to a 1-½ length win in 1:59.1. 

Oaxacan Dream N ($3.00) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags and trained by Maria Rice. 

That was one of the few highlights of the night for chalk bettors on Monday as conditions seem to dictate that price plays were where the speculator’s smart money should have gone. 

The run of overlooked victors started in the first race with Matticulous GB (2:00.4, $14.40) and continued with Fireworks Flash (2:02, $11.60), Sake Bomb (1:59.1, $28.40), Bugatti (2:01.3, $27.60), Celia Bayama (2:00.2, $54.50) and closed out the card with Justine (2:03.3, $56.60), who was eighth and last at the half, tipped three-deep at three-quarters, came off the far turn five-deep and still seventh before bolting to the line a winner by a nose in a photo. Celia Bayama and Justine teamed up to provide a late daily double that returned $1,430 for a $2 wager.  

Several horsemen had multiple wins on Monday. Drivers Kevin Cummings and Joe Chindano Jr. each scored a hat trick while trainers Chris Petrelli, David Russo and Sam Smith all had two wins apiece. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 6) at 3:00 p.m. and there will be a pair of carryovers for the betting faithful. First there will be a $1,374 carryover in the Pick-5 in race one and later, a $2,885 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race. 
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Dennis James Tourville, 66, of Buffalo, New York, passed away on January 25, 2025 at the Erie County Medical Center. He was born on August 14, 1958 to the late Lester and Mildred Tourville.

Mr. Tourville had a life-long passion for animals, in particular horses. Born into a harness racing family, he learned how to groom, train and drive trotters and pacers under the tutelage of his father Lester, who was a longtime accomplished horseman on the Western New York circuit. He achieved his harness driver’s license in 1981 and was an integral part of the stable his father campaigned for many years. Although his main focus was conditioning their stock, Mr. Tourville did register a total of 38 wins, 37 seconds and 46 thirds from his 476 career pari-mutuel starts in the sulky. 

Some of the horses they campaigned together over the years include Candace Greenwood, Mar Con Don, Mr. Straw, Glamor S Collins, Devils Cheer, JRB and Jimmy R. His all-time favorite was a horse named Money, who he shared Pop Tarts and peanut butter crackers with. 

When Lester Tourville retired from actively participating in the sport in 1997, Dennis continued to be fully engaged, acting as second trainer and caretaker to many horses racing at Batavia Downs and remained a beloved member of the racing community there right until that day he passed.  

Mr. Tourville was also a huge Buffalo Bills fan and you would often see him sporting a Bills sweatshirt in the barn area. He was also a beloved individual who will be missed by all who knew him during his life. 

Mr. Tourville is survived by his siblings, Rev. David Tourville, Deborah Tourville, Diane Tourville, Donna (Fred) Kabel, Darlene (Dan) Bailey, Jeremey (Kc) Tourville and Sarah Tourville. Several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. His friends, who he thought of as family, and who took care of him during his illness,include Tammy, Todd, Kyle and Alyssa Cummings. Also, his close friend Donna Kerr.

Besides his parents, Mr. Tourville was predeceased in death by his brother Daniel Tourville.

Family and Friends are invited to attend services on Sunday, February 9 at C. Mertz and Son Funeral Home, 911 Englewood Ave, Buffalo NY 14223. Calling hours will be at 3 p.m. followed by a service at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26, there will be a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Dominic’s Parish, 15 Union St Westfield, NY 14787 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to New Vocation Racehorse adoption on their website newvocations.org or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org. Your memories and condolences may be shared with the family at mertzfh.com.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs