Batavia, NY — The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association is proud to announce that longtime western New York blacksmith, Ray Cable, will be given their 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award for his over 60-years of work and dedication to the horses who raced at Batavia Downs.

Cable was born on March 12, 1945 in Effingham, Illinois and followed his father Phillip’s footsteps into the farrier business. He started shoeing at age 12 as an apprentice with his father, who shod horses at race tracks on the Grand Circuit along with many county fairs across the country from their mobile truck shop before coming to Batavia to set up permanently in 1960. Since then, Cable has run his blacksmith shop on the grounds of Batavia Downs ever since.

Cable has shod thousands of horses over the years and from every class ranging from the bottom claimers to the top competing in the Open, from the barns of trainers across the U.S. as well as Canada. Cable has shod some of the best in the business including the locally owned Bay’s Fella (1:51.1, $805,234) who won the $273,458 Breeders Crown Open Pace in 1990.

Ray Cable is one of  four brothers that included Chuck, Phillip and Leon, who all became outstanding farriers. Ray’s son, Ray Jr. is also an accomplished farrier and his grandsons Kelly and Chris, who are now both shoeing as well, make up the fourth generation of “Cable shoers”.  

Ray Cable will be presented his award trackside during the UNY-USHWA Night of Distinction that will be held at Batavia Downs on the closing night of the meet, Saturday, December 7. 

By Tim Bojarski, president of UNY-USHWA

Batavia, NY — Winter hit Batavia Downs hard on Saturday (Nov. 30) night and a spate of scratches due to weather related transportation issues shortened many of the fields. But the horses that did show up went dashing through the snow and that included the winners of the night’s two feature races. 

The $14,000 Open Handicap pace went to post first and Melanion N made it two straight wins with another impressive outing. 

Melanion N (Drew Monti) wrestled the lead from Mirragon N (Shawn McDonough) at the :27.2 quarter and then settled on the point in the turn to lead the abbreviated five-horse field to the half in :56.4. Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.) moved first-over at that point, drew near the leader at three-quarters and then stayed close around turn four. But when they straightened for home, the race was over quickly as Melanion N swelled up and bolted for the line on top by 5-½ to win in 1:53.3. 

It was the fifth win of the year for Melanion N ($3.30) who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Dr. Michael Miller. The winner was trained by Maria Rice who also won with Lip Reader A (1:57.1, $8.20) earlier in the card. 

Melanion N was one of four winners driven by Monti on Saturday whose grand slam included a natural hat trick in races six, seven and eight. Monti’s other winners were Mayweather Hanover (1:58.2, $22.40), Lip Reader A and U Bake The Cake (2:00.1, $7.90).

The $14,000 Open Handicap trot was u p next and Bisco tripped out to a late victory. 

Mucho Macho (Joe Chindano Jr.) commanded the early fractions of :29 and :59.1 while Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) sat in the garden spot. At the half, El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) and Dougadougadew (Kyle Cummings) advanced one-two in the breeze with El Toro Loco eventually taking the lead at three-quarters, Dougadougadew moving into second and Biscoe getting briefly shuffled to fifth before shaking loose and moving quickly into third.

Around the last turn, El Toro Loco and Dougadougadew were trading leads while Bisco was sneaking closer with every stride. When the straightened for home, Dougadougadew took the lead from El Toro Loco, but Biscoe came flying down the center of the track and collared Dougadougadew in the shadow of the wire to win in 1:57.4. 

It was the eighth victory of the year for Biscoe ($6.60) who is owned by his driver McNeight Jr. and trained by Jim McNeight. 

Driver Dave McNeight III also had a grand slam on Saturday, winning with Starlitcresentroll (1:57.4, $7.10), Pepper Guy (1:58.1, $29.40), Mach Le More A (1:56, $3.10) and Skyline Blue Chip (1:56.3, $13.80). 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Dec. 4) with post time at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $1,149 in the Pick-5 in the first race and a carryover of $4,138 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. 

There are only two nights of live racing left in the 2024 meet: Wednesday (Dec. 4) and Saturday (Dec. 7). However Batavia Downs will return after the Holidays on Monday (Jan. 6) for the start of the 15-day 2025 winter meet. Racing will be held every Monday and Thursday through Monday (Feb. 24) with all cards having a 3 p.m. post.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Despite not finishing worse than second in her last four starts, Oaxacan Dream N was overlooked by the betting public and sent off at 20-1. That turned out to be a mistake as the 8-year-old mare turned in a winning effort in the $12,000 conditioned pacing feature for fillies and mares on Wednesday (Nov. 27) night. 

Dave McNeight III sent Oaxacan Dream N to the front from post seven and settled on the lead heading towards the quarter. But before they got to that station, Summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) came from second to claim that mantle and headed into turn two on top by a length. Positions remained unchanged as the leader paced to the half in :57.1 and three-quarters in 1:26.2 with Oaxacan Dream N tracking from second and no viable threat looming from behind. 

Summer Slash continued to control the race around the last turn but when they straightened for home, that was about to change. McNeight dipped Oaxacan Dream N into the passing lane and aggressively drove from there. Oaxaca Dream N responded with a quick turn of foot that propelled her past Summer Slash by a half length at the light where she won in 1:55.1.

It was the 10th win of the year for Oaxacan Dream N ($42,80) who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags and trained by Maria Rice. 

Earlier in the $10,000 condition pace for female participants, Hurrikane Msrodine (Kevin Cummings) took the lead and paced through quarters of :28.2, :57.1 and 1:27.1 with Atlantic Star (Kyle Swift) pushing the issue the entire way, before turning for home and rebuffing the tripped-out It’s Corona Time (Joe Chindano Jr.) by a half length in 1:56.4. 

Hurrikane Msrodine ($5.60) is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith. 

Four horsemen scored hat tricks on Wednesday. They were drivers Joe Chindano Jr., Kevin Cummings and Dave McNeight III and trainer Sam Smith.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 30) with post time at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $3,658 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 — A $13,000 Open Handicap for both gaits topped the bill at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 23) night and each event was won with opposing race strategies.

The pacing feature went to Melanion N who went gait to wire in impressive fashion.

Drew Monti sent Melanion N forward off the gate and got the lead on the outside at the :27.3 quarter. Melanion N then crossed over and backed off the half to a tepid :58 before turning on the jets during the second circuit. Mirragon A (Shawn McDonough) made a first-over move from fifth and pushed the third quarter in 1:26 while getting to within a length of the leader. But that leader, Melanion N, turned the other cheek and simply paced away. Melanion N opened up a 1-½ length margin at the top of the lane and then stretched that out to 3-½ at the line as he bolted home in a snappy :27.3 to win in 1:53.3.

It was the fourth win of the year for Melanion N ($3.20) who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Dr. Michael Miller. Maria Rice trains the winner. 

Melanion N was one of three winners for Drew Monti on Saturday. 

Later, the top trot went to Dougadougadew, who came from way off the pace to score in a thrilling finish. 

Kyle Cummings took Dougadougadew off the gate to seventh and trailed by 8-¾ lengths as Power And Grace (Drew Monti), El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) and Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) battled three-deep to the quarter in :28 flat. Biscoe finally cleared, but El Toro Loco was hung out to dry and trotted in the breeze next to the leader to the half in :57 and three-quarters in 1:27. It was at that station that Cummings tipped Dougadougadew four wide, which was a position he would remain in throughout the final turn. When they entered the stretch, Dougadougadew was trotting up a storm, made up ground on Biscoe with every stride and eventually went right by him in deep stretch to win by 1-¾ lengths in 1:58. 

It was the 11th win of the year for Dougadougadew ($16.20) who is owned by Doug and Tyra Ackley and trained by Tammy Cummings. 

Dougadougadew was also one of three winners for Kyle Cummings and one of two winners for Tammy Cummings during the night. 

One of Kyle Cumming’s other wins came in the fourth race with the 7-year-old trotter Discus Hanover, who brushed late and won by a head in 1:58.4 to claim his 50th career victory. Owned by Phil Hale and his trainer Dave Dewhurst, Discus Hanover now shows earnings of $296,238 as a result of his milestone and boasts a lifetime best clocking of 1:53.4 at Vernon Downs two years ago. 

The top dash driver on Saturday was Joe Chindano Jr. who got a grand slam with wins behind Prairie Panther (1:56.2, $3.30), American Trademark (1:57.1, $6.70), Vel Mr Nice Guy (1:54.4, $9.20) and Lyons Johnnyjnr (1:55.1, $6.90). 

Trainer Mike Deters also had two wins on Saturday. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 27) with post time at 6:00 p.m. and there will also be a carryover of $2,812 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 — After scoring an upset win from an outside post last week at Batavia Downs, Mucho Macho moved up in class and did the exact same thing at The Downs in the $9,500 featured trot on a wet and chilly Friday (Nov. 22) night over a track rated sloppy. 

John Cummings Jr. left from post seven and shot right to the front with Mucho Macho, who got to the half in 1:00.2 while BJ’s Smitty sat smartly in the pocket. Entering turn three, Jacked (Joe Chindano Jr.) came first-over from third and made his way alongside the leader under a highly animated drive. When they passed three-quarters, Cummings popped the plugs on Mucho Macho and the trotter began to pull away from the field. Coming off the final turn, Jacked faded and BJ’s Mitty dropped into the passing lane at the top of the stretch, trying to make up ground. But Mucho Macho refused to give way and trotted home the best to win in 1:59.

It was the eighth win of the year for Mucho Macho ($14.40) who is owned and trained by Julie Wagonblott. 

Joe Chindano Jr. led all drivers on Friday with three victories during the card while Sam Smith was top trainer, winning two. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 23) with post time at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $2,386 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 no vacation for Scenic Adventure after high winds and heavy rain blew into Genesee County prior to her race. But the mare treated it like a day at the beach after handling her peers in the featured $11,000 pace for female sidewheelers at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 20) night.   

Scenic Adventure (Drew Monti) took a quick, easy lead and marched to the half in :58.3 while Truly (Jim McNeight Jr.) tracked from second. With no one applying any pressure from the rear, Scenic Adventure continued to pace smartly and broke away from the field as she passed three-quarters in 1:27.4. Scenic Adventure continued to extend her lead around the last turn and was clear by 3-1/2 lengths as she turned for home. Scenic Adventure then paced to the line unfettered to win by two in 1:57.1. 

It was the seventh win of the year for Scenic Adventure ($23.00) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith. 

The win was one of four for driver Drew Monti, who registered a grand slam during the evening. Monti also won with Bee Still My Hardt (1:55.1, $5.60), Vondell Kemp (2:00.2, $3.30) and Big Bad Mosa (1:57, $14.80) who paced away to a 16-¾ length victory.

Matching Monti for driving wins on Wednesday was Shawn McDonough, who also had a four-bagger in the bike, including a natural hat trick in races seven, eight and nine. McDonough scored with Always B Mimi (1:55.3, $35.00) who is also trains, Keystone Phoenix (1:58, $3.80), R U Talkin (1:58.2, $48.40) and Hurrikane Msrodine (1:58, $8.70). 

Sam Smith was the leading trainer on Wednesday after sending three of his students to the winner’s enclosure. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Nov. 22) with post time at 6:00 p.m. and there will also be a carryover of $1,481 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 — Batavia Downs leading driver, Drew Monti, added to his already considerable lead on Saturday (Nov. 16) night after bagging five more winners during the proceedings. Monti won with Soul Assassin (1:55.2, $6.70), Actor Hanover (1:56.1, $22.60), Parmesan N (1:56, $4.10), Stratosphere (1:55.4, $2.60) and Power And Grace (1:58.3, $6.90) who will be further covered later. 

Monti now has 102 wins for the summer and fall meet at Batavia Downs and sits 16 wins ahead of Joe Chindano Jr. (86) and 17 ahead of Kevin Cummings (85) after Saturday’s action with only seven days of live racing left in the meet.

For the year as a whole including action at other tracks, Monti has now won 215 races and over $2.2 million in purses in 2024. 

One race Monti did not win on Saturday was the featured $13,000 Open Handicap trot where Makes Me Charlie (Mike Baumeister) claimed his first top class event at Batavia Downs after having won his way up the class ladder since late September. 

Makes Me Charlie was on a mission as he blasted off the gate and opened up a three length lead that he maintained to the quarter in :27.4 and the half in :57.3. And there was no let up in sight as he swung onto the second circuit as Makes Me Charlie stretched out to a six length advantage at three-quarters in 1:25.2. With the field mostly scrambling for minor spoils at this point, Makes Me Charlie entered the stretch still up by six and made his way to the line first in 1:55.3 to take a new lifetime mark. 

It was the fifth win of the year for Makes Me Charlie ($14.00) who is owned by Margaret and Amy Butler and trained by Tom Mays. 

There were also two $11,000 upper-class conditioned races, one on the trot and one on the pace, that also yielded impressive front-end winners. 

In the first, the lone mare in the race, Power And Grace (Drew Monti), went gate to wire to defeat her seven male rivals by 1-½ lengths in 1:58.3. It was the 68th career victory for Power And Grace ($6.90) as well as her 12th of the year and it pushed her 2024 bankroll over the century mark, now sitting at $103,804 for owners Hartel Maintenance, Lormer McClure, Brett Macdonald and Reg Higgs. Ronald Macdonal trains the winner. 

Then later in the pace, Youmakemyheartsing (Kyle Cummings) also went right to the front and paced unchallenged until deep stretch, where he turned back Ideal Artillery (Dan Yetman) and won in 1:55.2. It was the 40th career win for Youymakemyheartsing ($5.40) who is owned by his driver, Kyle Cummings, in partnership with his trainer, Tammy Cummings. 

Sam Smith led all trainers on Saturday after three from his stable scored wins. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 20) with post time at 6:00 p.m. and there will also be a carryover of $1,053 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 — Benefitting from post one and a perfect trip, Crazy Brother Jim (Rock Vinci) scored an easy victory in the $9,500 featured trot at Batavia Downs on Friday (Nov. 15) evening. 

Longshot Alan (John Cummings Jr.) left from post seven and bolted to the lead in easy fashion. With Crazy Brother Jim following from second, Alan set easy fractions of :29.4 and 1:01.2 to the half. From there, Jacked (Joe Chindano Jr.) pulled first-over from third to push the tempo and the top three horses broke from the field by nine lengths heading to three-quarters. Jacked continued to push Alan while Crazy Brother Jim laid in wait as they rolled around the final turn. When the trio reached the stretch, Vinci dipped Crazy Brother Jim into the passing lane and trotted right by Alan to win by a length in 1:59.4.

It was the eighth win of the year for Crazy Brother Jim ($8.40) who is owned and trained by his driver, Vinci. 

Shawn McDonough scored a double-triple on Friday, by winning three races as both driver and trainer. McDonough won with Free To Dream (1:57, $3.40), Maczaffair N (1:56.1, $4.50) and Angelo J Fra (1:58, $11.00), who scored her 81st lifetime win and all three winners hailed from the McDonough stable.

Kevin Cummings also drove three winners on Friday. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 16) with post time at 6:00 p.m. and there will also be a carryover of $703 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 — A $23,931 carryover and $75,000 guaranteed pool through the USTA Strategic Wagering Program for the Pick-5 wager at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 13) night generated $79,508 new money, producing a $102,701 total pool that yielded the biggest mutuel payout ever in the history of Batavia Downs going all the way back to 1940. 

After the prohibitive favorite, Raylan Drew ($3.10) won the first race, the longshots followed fast and furious. La Always Amartini ($15.20), Mason Street ($68.50), Batting Stats ($9.60) and Venue ($22.20) filled out the winning combination of 2-5-4-4-1 that returned $41,412 for a 50-cent wager.

Even after “price” horses won three of the first four races, the savvy punters who wager at Batavia Downs had all but two numbers covered in the fifth race, with a total of two winning tickets being sold.

The feature race on Wednesday came right after the huge payout in the fifth race, where Won Surreal Deal (Drew Monti) won the $11,000 fillies and mares feature and continued the string of premium payouts.

Monti put Won Surreal Deal on the point and led by 1-¼ lengths through splits of :28.3, :58.1 and 1:26.4 while the favored Mcvera (Shawn McDonough) tracked from the pocket. After spinning off the final bend, Won Surreal Deal was not to be caught and pulled away to a 1-½ length margin of victory in 1:54.3 with a snappy :27.4 final panel. 

It was the second win in the last three starts and seventh win of the year for Won Surreal Deal ($13.80) who is owned by Parsimonious Racing Stable and trained by Jeff Sorenson. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Nov. 15) with post time at 6:00 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 — With no one hitting the Pick-5 wager again at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 9) night, there is a $23,931 carryover for that wager in the first race on Wednesday (Nov. 13) night and track management has announced that pool will be guaranteed at $75,000 through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program.

As part of that program, Trackmaster is offering free full past performance programs on the USTA website under the Strategic Wagering heading listed on the Handicapping tab.

This will be the largest guaranteed pool ever offered in the history of Batavia Downs.

The Pick-5 at Batavia Downs is a 50-cent minimum wager that begins in race one and runs through race five. Post time for the first race on Wednesday is 6 p.m.

And as always, 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