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 — 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

Batavia, NY — Brett Beckwith took care of business Thursday (Jan. 30) afternoon at Batavia Downs when he won five races on the card and vaulted himself into first place for driving wins this meet. Beckwith’s run included a natural hat trick in races nine, 10 and 11 and a victory in one of the co-features on the program. 

In the $13,000 Open Handicap pace, Beckwith sat behind Itsallaboutfaith N, who then sat behind Primo Uomo (Joe Chindano Jr.) as he marched off quarters of :27.3 and :57.1 while being pushed by the parked-out Belmont Major N (Keith Kash). Belmont Major N’s bid then fell apart approaching three-quarters as the top two horses pulled away from the field around the last turn. When the race entered the stretch, Beckwith tipped Itsallaboutfaith N off the pegs and simply cruised by Primo Uomo in deep stretch to win by a length in 1:54.   

Itsallaboutfaith N ($8.40) is owned by PT Stable and trained by Gareth Dowse. 

Beckwith’s other four winners were Century Grizzly (1:57.3, $23.40), Angelo J Fra (1:58.3, $4.80) who chalked up her 64th lifetime win, Venier Hanover (1:56.2, $3.60) and Maczaffair N (1:9.2, $6.00). 

Beckwith now sits in first place with 24 driving wins, two ahead of Joe Chindano Jr. who was relegated to second with his now 22 wins after Thursday’s action. 

The other co-feature at The Downs was the $13,000 Open Handicap trot that was won by El Toro Loco with an impressive gate to wire performance in his first start at Batavia this year after a five-week stint in Ohio. 

Kevin Cummings sent El Toro Loco off the gate to the front and stepped lively quarters of :29, :59.2 and 1:28.1 while Missile (Brett Beckwith) and My One Percent (Kyle Cummings) gave chase. After rounding the last bend, El Toro Loco turned for home with a 1-¾ length lead and held sway to the line where he won in 1:57.4. 

El Toro Loco ($6.70) is owned by El Dorado Stable and Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith. 

Cummings, Smith and Torcello went on to team up for a hat trick as they also won with Yo A J (1:58.2, $7.90) and Heavensdor Hanover (1:57.2, $3.30) during the proceedings. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 3) at 3:00 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $1,807 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 12th race. 

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

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Wind gusts of up to 60 mph that blew down the homestretch made it very challenging for everyone lining up to race at Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 27) afternoon. However many big performances were still turned in, including the one by the 4-year-old pacing mare Maggie Bell, who won her third straight race in the $11,000 upper-lever condition race for distaff sidewheelers to stay perfect in 2024.  

Brett Beckwith got away fourth with Maggie Bell, while Oaxacan Dream N (Dave McNeight III) marched on the lead in pedestrian fractions of :29.1 and 1:00.2. As the race rolled by five-eighths, Maggie Bell pulled first-over with the wind to her back and drew alongside Oaxacan Dream N in the last turn. As the girls thundered down the lane, Maggie Bell wore down Oaxacan Dream N while also holding off a fast closing Mcvera (Shawn McDonough) to win by a head in 1:59.1.

It was the fifth win in the last seven starts for Maggie Ball ($9.80) who is owned by Delpozo Scwartz Paoleti and trained by Jaymes Mcassey. 

Maggie Bell was one of four winners for Beckwith on Monday. He also won the $15,000 final of the Batavia Downs Trackmaster 74 Series with Samosa Hanover after tipping three-wide at three-quarters and edging out Shoreview (Drew Monti) by a head at the line in 1:58.3. Samosa Hanover ($7.00) is owned by Lucky Label Stable and trained by Taylor Fritz. 

Beckwith’s other two winners were Kathy’s Moment (2:01.2, $7.00) and Blue Glamber (1:56.4, $4.60). 

In the $12,500 Trackmaster 72.5 Series trot final, Caviar’s Yankee (Mike Baumeister) grabbed the lead before the half and turned away the pocket-sitting Poets N Pirates (Drew Monti) in the lane to win by 1-½ lengths in 2:00.4. Caviar’s Yankee ($6.00) is owned by Jennifer Signor and trained by Jake Baumeister.

Finally, the $12,000 Trackmaster 70 Series final was won by Koup Kruiser (Jim McNeight Jr.) who led from gate to wire and stopped the clock in 2:00.1. Koup Kruiser ($2.80) is owned by Two Gals Stable and trained by Jim McNeight.  

Other horsemen turning in stellar performances on Monday include driver Joe Chindano Jr. and trainer David Russo, who both posted hat tricks during the program. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 30) at 3:00 p.m. with a carryover of $1,318 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race. 

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

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — It was another cold and windy evening in Genesee County with snow bands that increased in intensity as the card rolled on. But the real storm on Thursday (Jan. 23) afternoon at Batavia Downs came from drivers Brett Beckwith and Kevin Cummings, who each won four races during the program. 

Beckwith’s big win came in the co-featured $13,000 Open Handicap trot that went to Up Helly Aa, who led at every station before pulling away to a gapped-length victory.  

After several horses left, Johnny Boy (Kevin Cummings) took the lead before Beckwith and Up Helly Aa roared forward in the breeze to claim the top at the :28.2 quarter. After crossing over, Up Helly Aa settled in and marched off back-to-back :29.4 quarters before heading into the final bend on top by 2-¾ lengths. When he entered the stretch, Up Helly Aa had no imminent threats from behind and just kept on going to eventually win by 3-¼ lengths in 1:58.4. 

Up Helly Aa ($11.40) is owned by Ian Fromowitz and trained by Jaymes Mcassey.

Beckwith also won with Venier Hanover (1:58.4, $2.90), Admiral Hanover (1:58.1, $4.50) and Six Degrees (1:57.3, $3.40). 

Kevin Cummings’ four wins came with Silvershoe Halie (2:00.4, $15.20) along with Hp Running Mass (2:01.4, $34.20), Famous Dan (2:00, $4.60) and Yo AJ (1:59.3, $8.40), all of whom were trained by Sam Smith, who topped all conditioners for wins during the proceedings.

Both Beckwith and Cummings drove a total of 13 races each and posted identical numbers of four wins, three seconds and two thirds, giving each one of them a lofty UDR of .487 when the day was done. 

The other feature race was the $13,000 Open Handicap pace, where Primo Uomo had absolutely no competition whatsoever as he won his second straight top-class pace at the Downs with a very convincing gate-to-wire romp.

Joe Chindano Jr. rocketed off the gate and to the front with Primo Uomo, who opened up a 2-¾ length gap as he cruised past the quarter in hasty :27.3. Chindano then downshifted quarter two, but got right back to business on the second circuit. Primo Uomo stretched out to a three length lead at three-quarters in 1:26.1, rounded the last turn and then bolted away to a nine-length victory in 1:54.4, setting a new seasonal mark. 

Primo Uomo ($2.70) is owned by Chris and Dale Lawton and trained by David Dewhurst. 

Chindano added wins with Thinking Of Slim (2:01, $11.20) and Mauries Bonus A (1:58.3, $4.50) to grab a hat trick of his own. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 27) at 3:00 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $1,012 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race. 

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

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Wind, snow and single-digit wind chills set the stage for racing at Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 20) afternoon. But despite those conditions, Magical Mistress delivered the goods in the $9,500 featured pace for fillies and mares. 

Magical Mistress (Kyle Cummings) got away second behind the 49-1 Hurrikane Msrodine (Denny Bucceri) who left from post eight and led the field to the half in 1:01. Legal Jeopardy (Dave McNeight III) moved first-over and joined the fray at that point and momentarily took the lead at three-quarters, but never crossed over. At that same station, Magical Mistress vacated the pegs and followed Legal Jeopardy around the last turn, before tipping clear at the top of the lane. There, Magical Mistress dug hard and passed three peers in deep stretch to win by three-quarters of a length in 2:01.3. 

Magical Mistress ($4.40) is owned by Michael Milazzo and trained by Candace Brandstatter-Hall, who also won with Flames Of Fire (2:02.2, $4.20) later in the card.  

Drivers Brett Beckwith and Drew Monti and trainer Rachelle Mungillo all registered three wins apiece on the card during the proceedings.  

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 23) at 3:00 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $696 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 15th race. 

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

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Although he was a seven-time victor last year, Primo Uomo hasn’t visited the winner’s enclosure since October 26 at Vernon Downs. But that all changed on Thursday (Jan. 16) at Batavia Downs as he lived up to his name as was truly the best man among his male pacing peers in the featured $13,000 Open Handicap feature on a night that was hampered by cold temperatures and heavy snow.

Those intense winter weather conditions would continue throughout the night and necessitate the cancellation of racing after the sixth race, out of extreme caution for the safety of the horses and participating horsemen and women. 

Primo Uomo (Joe Chindano Jr.) got away seventh while Runrunjimmydunn N (Kevin Cummings) led the race and reached the half unchallenged in 1:00.4. Lip Reader A (Drew Monti) then came first-over from fifth and drew alongside Runrunjimmydunn N at three-quarters after a brisk :28.3 sprint up the backstretch, while Primo Uomo was tracking from fifth, third-over in the breeze. 

With the leaders battling for control, Primo Uomo continued to gain ground in the final turn and was third and closing fast at the top of the stretch. As the race straightened for home, Runrunjimmydunn N and lip Reader A were still nose to nose, but Primo Uomo found room in the middle of the lane and powered by them both to win by 1-¾ lengths in 1:58.

It was the 25th career win for Primo Uomo ($14.20), who is owned by Chris and Dale Lawton and trained by David Dewhurst. 

In the fourth race, the 13-year-old pacing gelding Silverhill Blaze (Dave McNeight III, $21,80) notched the 55th win of his career after crossing the line in 2:00 flat. That win was one of three wins on the abbreviated card for driver Dave McNeight III, who registered a natural hat trick in races two, three and four. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 20) at 3:00 p.m. 

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

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Saratoga Raceway-based horsemen have been making their presence felt at Batavia Downs since the 2025 winter meet began and Monday (Jan. 13) was no exception after driver Brett Beckwith and trainers Jaymes Mcassey and Gary Levine all posted noteworthy performances. 

Beckwith won five races on the card including a victory in the night’s feature race. He scored with Justine (2:01, $10.60), Takemetochurch Deo (2:03.1, $5.80) and Samosa Hanover (2:00.4, $5.30) along with Maggie Bell and Mary Kat, who will be covered in more depth. 

Despite moving up in class after a convincing victory at The Downs last week, Maggie Bell bounced right back with another impressive win in the $11,000 featured pace for fillies and mares at Batavia on Monday afternoon, where heavy snow squalls were a factor for a majority of the program. 

Beckwith pushed Maggie Bell to the front and took the lead from Mcvera (Shawn McDonough) as the race passed the quarter. Once on the point, Maggie Bell backed the half down to a comfortable :59.1 before encountering a challenge from Penthousepalace (Joe Chindano Jr.), who was pacing first-over in the breeze as the group traversed the backstretch for the second time. 

Penthousepalace got the lead at three-quarters but was unable to cross-over, as Maggie Bell stiffened up and came back along the pegs to reclaim control at the top of the stretch. Scenic Adventure (Kevin Cummings), Oaxaca Dream N (Drew Monti) and the pocket-sitting Mcvera all came into play as the girls made their way towards home and the trio was in hot pursuit of Maggie Bell. But Maggie Bell refused to lose and was never headed, crossing the line first by three-quarters of a length in 1:58.2. 

It was the second straight win and fourth victory in the last six outings for Maggie Bell ($6.40) who is owned by Delpozo Scwartz Paoleti and trained by Jaymes Mcassey. The win also pushed Maggie Bell’s lifetime bank over the $300,000 mark, as she now sits at $300,398. 

Then later in the fifth race, Beckwith drove the pacing mare Mary Kat to a one-length, 1:59.3 victory to give Gary Levine his 1,100th career training win. Levine, who owns the winner, also has 1,078 seconds and 1,001 thirds from his 7,663 career starts and they have earned his connections $7,632,934 in purses. 

Beckwith was just named the 2024 Dan Patch Rising Star by the United States Harness Writers Association and will be honored at the Dan Patch Banquet on Sunday, February 23 at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida. 

There was a major upset in the second race after 77-1 shot Blazin Chally (Kyle Cummings) raced the entire mile parked-out, before closing late to win by a nose in 2:02.3. Owned by Doug and Tyra Ackley and trained by Tammy Cummings, Blazin Chally returned $157.00, $56.50 and $33.60 across the board.

Shawn McDonough and Jim Clouser Jr. both had two training wins during the card to lead all their peers on Monday. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 16) at 3:00 p.m. and there will be a $1,056 carryover in the Pick Five wager in race one and a carryover of $274 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 15th race.  

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

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs