Batavia, NY — After bouncing back from an untimely break last week and despite a jump in class for this start, Johnny Boy got back in the win column by taking the $15,000 Open I Handicap trotting feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 25).

Kevin Cummings sent Johnny Boy to the front, grabbed the lead past the quarter and then controlled the race every step from there. After reaching the half in :58.4, Makadushin N Cheez (Jim McNeight Jr.) rolled up first-over on the rim and remained a player until three-quarters. His bid fell apart at that point, forcing Gracious Triumph (Jim Morrill Jr.) three-wide into the last turn. Meanwhile Johnny Boy had opened up a two length advantage before turning for home and was driven confidently to the wire on top by 1-¼ lengths in 1:57.2.

It was the ninth win of the year for Johnny Boy ($17.80) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.

In the co-featured $15,000 Open I Handicap pace, Lanjo Lee (Kyle Cummings) was by far the best horse in the race and finished his mile with an exclamation mark. After leading the field by a gapped margin through quarters of :27.4, :57.4 and 1:25.1, Lanjo Lee extended his lead around the last turn and bolted home under wraps and on top by 3-¾ lengths in 1:53.3.

Lanjo Lee ($3.50) scored his seventh win of the year for owner Gordon Swift and trainer Jeff Sorenson.

After setting the track record for wins on a single card (9) last Saturday at Batavia, driver Jim Morrill Jr. was back at it again this week and posted five more wins during the program. He won with Mugshots Bro (1:58.1, $3.50), Stop Action (1:56, $4.50), Virgil N (1:54.2, $3.30), BJ’s Smitty (1:57.4, $8.90) and Mighty Santana N (1:54.2, $2.70). Morrill also finished second four times out of his 12 drives giving him a .602 UDR for the evening. Morrill is currently the leading percentage driver among all other drivers in North America with a .438 UDR for the entire year.

There was a big payout in the final race of the night when the Jackpot Hi-5 was hit. The single unique combination of 1-4-9-5-7 returned $4,671.30 for a 20-cent wager.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 29) at 6:00 p.m.

Free full 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 — After a convincing victory off class relief last week, Louie The Lilac moved back to the feature race and won again in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Nov. 22).

Kevin Cummings fired Louie The Lilac to the front and led every step of the way. After setting the pace at :28.1, :58.2 and 1:26.3 with Xenia’s Chip (Jim Morrill Jr.) trying to match steps in the pocket, Louie The Lilac turned for home and bolted to the line on top by three lengths in 1:55.3.

It was the ninth win of the year for Louie The Lilac ($3.90) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.

Cummings ended the night with three wins to lead all drivers.

In the $11,500 mid-level conditioned event for distaff pacers, The Stunning Nun N (Jim Morrill Jr.) made her first start back since September a winning one after she led from gate to wire in 1:57.2 by an easy 2-½ lengths over A Black Diamond (Dave McNeight III).

The Stunning Nun N ($7.70) is owned by her trainer Mike Deters, in partnership with Joel Warner, John Manning and Barbara Jensen.

Deters along with Sam Smith and Mike Ohol all had two training wins on Wednesday.

The $10,000 guaranteed Pick-5 was hit on Wednesday. The combination of 5/3/1,8/1/3 returned $408 for a 50-cent wager. The carry over was $3,035 and the guarantee generated $13,907 in new money.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 25) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $3,080 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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 —  With no winner of the Pick-5 last Saturday (Nov. 18), there is a carryover of $3,035 for that wager on Wednesday (Nov. 22) and Batavia Downs will be offering a $10,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool. This is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and free program pages courtesy of Trackmaster will be available on the USTA’s website under the Handicapping/Strategic Wagering links.

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 pool will be carried over to the Pick-5 wager on the next day of racing.

Free full card program pages for Wednesday and every live racing night at Batavia Downs can also be downloaded at bataviadownsgaming.com under the live racing tab and you can watch all the action free and live on the track’s YouTube Channel.

Post time for the first race Wednesday is 6 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Jim Morrill Jr. put on a driving clinic at Batavia Downs Saturday night (Nov. 18) winning nine of the 13 races on the card. Morrill’s run included a natural hat trick in races two through four, a natural grand slam in races seven through 10 and victories in both feature races. Morrill also had one third and posted an unbelievable .778 UDR for the night.

Morrill broke his own single night win record of eight that he set back in 2005 at Batavia and was tied a year later by John Cummings Jr.

Morrill won the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot with E Street, who ran his own personal win streak to four. E Street sat in the pocket behind Crazy Ritz (Jim McNeight Jr.) through quarters of :28.4, :59.3 and 1:29, and then continued to follow until the top of the stretch. It was there Morrill dipped into the passing lane and let E Street sprint to the line with no urging to win in 1:58.2.

E Street ($3.70) is owned by Elite harness Racing and trained by Rachelle Mungillo.

Morrill’s other feature win was with Venier Hanover in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace. Morrill put Venier Hanover on the point and dominated the field from there. After getting to the half in :56.3 with Parmesan N (Austin Sorrie) and Stranger Things (Jim McNeight Jr.) trying to keep pace, Morrill gave Venier Hanover his head and scorched a :27.3 third panel that put four lengths between him and the rest of the group. Venier Hanover then rounded the last turn and scooted home, wrapped up in 1:54.3.

It was the 52nd career win for Venier Hanover ($4.50) who is owned by Monique Cohen and trained by Shawn McDonough.

Morrill completed his nonagon with BJ’s Smitty (1:58.3, $14.00), Virgil N (1:54.1, $4.70), Play The Field (1:56.2, $5.50), Prairie Panther (1:55.4, $2.70), Credit List (1:58.2, $3.60) Rebellious (1:56.2, $2.20) — who registered his 70th lifetime win — and Vulcan Star N (1:54.4, $9.80).

Morrill started the night as the leading driver at the current Batavia meet with 147 wins, but just four ahead of Kevin Cummings (143). Now Morrill has a double digit lead after the dust settled Saturday as he now has 156 wins to Cummings 145 (Cummings won two races as well).

Morrill also started the night with the second highest UDR among all drivers in North America with a .436, just .001 behind J. Brandon Campbell (.437). Morrill may move into first place after Campbell registered a win and two seconds (.704 UDR for the night) in three starts at the Century Mile today in Edmonton, Alberta.

Mike Deters was the top trainer at Batavia on Saturday with three winners, all driven by Morrill.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 22) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $2,113 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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 — The Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association has announced that the organization will be donating $2,500 to help the victims of the unscrupulous act of arson that killed 30 horses and devastated the horsemen and women stabled at Tioga Downs on Thursday (Nov. 9). The WNYHHA will join the large number of associations, tracks and fellow horsemen across North America who have stepped up through GoFundMe and direct contributions to give their help and show their support for the affected individuals who are struggling with their loss, trying to recover financially and also move forward with their livelihoods.

Bruce Tubin, President of the WNYHHA said, “There is no bigger tragedy in our sport than a barn fire. We share the grief of our fellow horsemen and women and hope that through all the fundraising efforts, they can begin to rebuild.”

A number of horses and trainers involved in the fire raced at Batavia Downs and everyone there grieves along with them. Members of the WNYHHA gathered in the winner’s circle at the track last Saturday (Nov. 11) with a moment of silence and a recitation of the names of the fallen horses.

The harness racing community from coast to coast has come together over the past week with donations of cash, equipment and breedings for the benefit of the victims and through their efforts have shown how much those involved in harness racing care about their fellow participants.

By Tim Bojarski for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — It’s been seven weeks since Louie The Lilac had her picture taken at Batavia Downs, but that all changed on Wednesday night (Nov. 15) after she easily handled a group of mid-level conditioned mares in the $11,500 feature race.

Kevin Cummings got away fifth with Louie The Lilac as Isla Seelster (Drew Monti) led at the half in :58.1. Bet I’m Lucky (Jim McNeight Jr.) pulled first-over at that station and was followed closely by Louie The Lilac. Bet I’m Lucky grabbed the lead at three-quarters but Louie The Lilac was next in line for the top and took it midway through the last turn. From there, Louie The Lilac paced away to a 3-¼ length victory in 1:55.2.

It was the eighth win of the year for Louie The Lilac ($2.60) and owner Mike Torcello. Sam Smith trains the winner.

Kevin Cummings and Dave McNeight III were the top drivers on Wednesday with three wins each while Sam Smith, Dave Russo and Shawn McDonough all registered two training wins apiece.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 18) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $1,559 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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 — Prior to the start of racing on Saturday night (Nov. 11) at Batavia Downs, members of the the local driver, trainer, groom and owner colony gathered trackside for a moment of silence to remember and honor their peers at Tioga Downs who lost their horses and their livelihoods as a result of a despicable act of arson that befell that track this past week. Many of them, and many of their horses who perished, raced at Batavia Downs and the impact of that horrendous event was felt among everyone at the Downs as well as the racing community all across North America.

When racing got underway, Saturday’s card featured two $15,000 Open I events, which were both won by horses driven by Jim Morrill Jr., who dominated in the bike with a total of five wins on the night.

In the top trot, Morrill got away sixth with Gracious Triumph while Makadushin N Cheez (Kevin Cummings) led the field to the half in a peppy :57.3. Morrill tipped Gracious Triumph first-over into the breeze as they entered turn three and drew alongside the leader at three-quarters. Gracious Triumph took the lead at the apex of the final bend and drew away to a 2-¾ length victory in 1:56.4, which was a new seasonal mark.

It was the seventh win of the year for Gracious Triumph ($10.40) and owner Harry Wortzman. Shawn McDonough trains the winner.

Then in the featured pace, Morrill put Mirragon A on the point off the gate and never looked back. Mirragon A set fractions of :28, :58 and 1:24.4 while Out On Bail (Kevin Cummings) tried to keep pace in the pocket. As they made their way down the stretch, Out On Bail made up some ground, but Mirragon A stayed strong and won by a length in 1:53.2.

It was also the seventh win of the year for Mirragon A ($7.30) who is owned by his trainer Mike Deters, in partnership with Joel Warner and John Manning.

Morrill rounded out his quintuple crush with Oreo Dream Xtreme (1:56.4, $6.60), Fox Valley Inferno (1:57.1, $4.20) and Prairie Panther (1:55, $2.70), who reached a major milestone by winning the 70th race of his career.

Free full 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 — Cold, wind and rain set the stage for a sloppy night of racing at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 8) but there was nothing messy about the performance put in by Rightfully Mine, who splashed her way to victory in the $15,000 Open I Distaff Handicap feature.

Rightfully Mine (Jim Morrill Jr.) took the lead from So Amazing (John Cummings Jr.) heading to the quarter, but soon found herself second as So Amazing retook the front past that station. As the race moved to the half, Compassrose De Vie (Todd Ratchford) motored up the outside and joined the fray for the second circuit. Compassrose De Vie and So Amazing raced alongside each other to three-quarters while Rightfully Mine sat the pocket. These three then broke away from the field in the last turn and set the stage for the final eighth. Compassrose De Vie slightly faded at the head of the stretch whilet Rightfully Mine slipped into the passing lane and caught the game So amazing just before the wire to win by a length in 1:57.

It was the third straight win for Rightfully Mine ($3.00) who is owned by Monique Cohen and Anthony Scussel and trained by Shawn McDonough.

Morrill won a total of four races during the card while McDonough had four training wins, two of which he drove, giving him a total of six winners across two categories.

Later in the $11,500 upper-level condition pace for mares, A Black Diamond (Dave McNeight III) got away third in chase of Louie The Lilac (Kevin Cummings) who found favor on the front. McNeight pulled A Black Diamond first-over at the five-eighths, drew even with Louie The Lilac in the last turn and then bolted home to a 1-¾ length victory in 1:57.3.

It was the fourth straight win for A Black Diamond ($3.90) and owner Lav Racing. Russell Bratt trains the winner.

Driver Kyle Cummings also had a grand slam Wednesday that included a lead-off natural hat trick in races one, two and three.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 11) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $861 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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 — Jim Morrill Jr. had a huge night in the bike at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 4) as he won five races that included both features and a natural hat trick in races nine, 10 and 11.

First in the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot, Morrill sat the pocket with E Street following Ricky B Sharp (Mike Baumeister) who was being hounded by a parked Makadushin N Cheez (Kevin Cummings) for three-quarters of the mile. That bid by Makadushin N Cheez fell by the wayside before the last turn leaving Ricky B Sharp and E Street to battle it out. When the race entered the homestretch, Morrill tipped E Street into the passing lane and trotted right on by the leader to win by a length in 1:56.4.

It was the third straight win for E Street ($13.80) who is owned and trained by Rachelle Mungillo.

Then in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace, Morrill put Pocono Downs invader Venier Hanover on the point off the gate and never looked back. After setting fractions of :28, :57 and 1:25.1, Venier Hanover took a two length lead into the lane and never allowed El Jacko (Kyle Swift), who followed him the entire mile, to catch him en route to a 1-¾ length 1:53.2 win.

It was the 51st lifetime win for Venier Hanover ($2.20) who is owned by owner Monique Cohen. Shawn McDonough was the winning trainer.

Morrill also won with V J Ranger (1:57.3, $5.30), Vulcan Star N (1;53.3, $4.40) and Just A Wrangler (1:53.1, $2.70) to complete his quintuplet. Morrill also had two seconds and two thirds from his 10 starts giving him a lofty UDR of .678 for the night. Those wins also increased Morrill’s win total for the meet to 138 and catapulted him into a first place tie for dash driving honors with Kevin Cummings.

Morrill also sits second for UDR among all drivers in North America with 500 or more starts with a .427 overall for the year.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 8) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $432 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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 — There was a pair of $11,500 upper-lever condition races for pacing fillies and mares carded on Wednesday night (Nov. 1) at Batavia Downs and one winner got her first victory at the Downs while the other continued her streak.
The first split went to Mcnatural L (John Cummings Jr.) who sat fifth while the leading Imprincessgemma (Brett Beckwith) was being run by Isla Seelster (Dave McNeight III) in :28.1 and 57 flat. As the duel proceeded up the backstretch Isla Seelster tired, forcing Bad Rossa (Jim Morrill Jr.) three-wide and Mcnatural L followed right behind her. By the top of the stretch, Mcnatural L had drawn even with Imprincessgemma A before bolting home to a 6-¼ length win in 1:55.4.

It was the first win at Batavia but seventh overall this year for Mcnatural L ($17.80) who is owned by El Dorado Stables and trained by Mandy Arrigenna.

In the next group, A Black Diamond (Dave McNeight III) got away third and followed the lead of Louie The Lilac (John Cummings Jr.) until the second circuit. McNeight made a first-over move approaching three-quarters with A Black Diamond and then matched strides with Louie The Lilac into the last turn. By the top of the stretch, A Black Diamond took the lead and scooted home to a 2-¾ length win in 1:55.1.

It was the third straight win and 11th of the year for A Black Diamond ($10.60) who is owned by Lav Racing Stable. Russell Bratt trains the winner.

Brett Beckwith led all drivers at Batavia on Wednesday after he scored a grand slam in the bike.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Nov. 3) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $234 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

Free full 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