Batavia, NY — After a lengthy respite, winter returned to western New York as persistent snow and wind kept things challenging for the Thursday afternoon (Feb. 15) card at Batavia Downs. The program featured the three top weekly classes and two big efforts from the meet’s leading drivers.

The $14,000 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares was up first and Imprincessgemma A (Brett Beckwith) got her first victory of the year.

Leaving from post five, Imprincessgemma A cut fractions of :28.1, :58.3 and 1:28 while Ball Diamond (Keith Kash Jr.) followed close in the pocket. Ball Diamond pulled to advance at the top of the last turn and almost drew even as they entered the stretch. But Imprincessgemma A held sway and paced away to a 1-¼ length victory under a line drive in 1:57.3.

It was the 43rd career win for Imprincessgemma A ($3.90) and it pushed the 10-year-old’s lifetime earnings to $601,489. Imprincessgemma A is owned by Elite Harness Racing and is trained by Shawn McDonough.

Imprincessgemma A was also one of four driving wins on the card for Brett Beckwith who also won with Stars And Stones (2:00.3, $6.90), Angelo J Fra (1:58.1, $9.20) and Silver Buckeye (2:02, $8.00). Beckwith currently sits second in the driver standings.

Then in the $15,000 Open I Handicap for male pacers, Umberto (Dave McNeight III) got his second win in a row on the strength of an impressive effort.

Umberto also left from mid-pack, post five and crossed-over to the lead in the first turn. After setting up shop on the point, Umberto paced unchallenged through swift quarters of :27.3, :57.2 and 1:25.1. In the last turn, McNeight layed back for the ride home and Umberto strode to the line by 2-¼ lengths and won in 1:54.

Umberto ($7.40) is owned by El Dorado Stables and is trained by Dave McNeight Jr.

Finally in the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot, E Street (Jim Morrill Jr.) drew a rare inside post and tripped-out to an upset feature win.

Big Box Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) took the lead before the quarter as E Street sat behind him in the cozy pocket. After hitting the quarter in :29, positions remained unchanged to the half and up the backstretch. It was there that Special Prosecutor (Drew Monti) made a first-over push and joined the fray at three-quarters in 1:30 flat. Big Box Hanover responded to the challenge and pulled away by a length as they hit the straight. But at the same time, E Street dipped into the passing lane and within the length of three pylons, had the lead and bolted home by a length in 1:59.3.

E Street ($16,60) is owned by Elite Harness Racing and trained by Rachelle Mungillo.

E Street capped off a driving grand slam for Morrill as well, after he had already won with P C Foreign Affair (2:02, $10.40), Just A Wrangler (1:55.4, $6.50) and Mayweather Hanover (1:59.1, $5.30).

Trainers Taylor Fritz and Andy Torre both had conditioning doubles on Thursday.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 15) at 3 p.m. and the card will feature the $100,000 finals of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for pacers. Also, there will be a $2,669 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.

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 fourth and final leg of the Western New York Trasckmaster Series for pacers was held at Batavia Downs on Monday afternoon (Feb. 12) and after the dust had settled, both Long Train Runnin and Proven Desire will enter the Trackmaster 79 division finals unbeaten.

In his $9,000 division, Long Train Runnin (Dave McNeight III) led the field off the gate but yielded the top to Dogfight (Kevin Cummings) at the 27.4 quarter. However that change was short-lived as McNeight sent the Train back down the tracks immediately to regain the lead. Now firmly back in control, Long Train Runnin backed off the half to 58 and met no opposition in doing so. With the group still in single file, the leader marched to three-quarters in 1:26.4 with only a mild bid from Huntsville Place (Kyle Swift) at that station. Long Train Runnin rounded the last bend and paced into the lane with a 1-½ length lead while the pocket-sitting Dogfight tried to make up ground. But Long Train Runnin made it to the station first and on time in 1:55.3.

It was the fourth straight win for Long Train Runnin ($3.40) who is owned by Paige Usiak and William Emmons. Jim Clouser Jr. trains the winner.

Clouser and Emmons are also the connections of Proven Desire, who won his $9,000 division and extended his winning streak to three.

John Cummings Jr. flew to the front with Proven Desire and opened up a two-length advantage in 28.2. While P L Notorious (Kevin Cummings) tracked from second, Proven Desire took his gapped advantage to the half in 58 and three-quarters in 1:27. As they entered the last turn, Cummings threw the lines at the leader and Proven Desire took off. He opened up 1-½ lengths at the top of the stretch and extended that lead to two as he cruised to the line in 1:55.4.

Proven Desire returned $3.20.

Clouser and Emmons also won with Lanas Desire (1:56.1, $2.50) in another $9,000 division giving that connection a hat trick for the second week in a row as they advanced all three of their horses to the final.

The 10-year-old pacer Sir Pugsley hit a career milestone in the 12th race after going gate to wire in 1:56.2. It was the 40th career win for the son of American Ideal and Q and A who has now bankrolled $453,798 as a result of his success. Taylor Fritz both owns and trains Sir Pugsley.

Driver Dave McNeight III scored a natural hat trick in races seven, eight and nine and his win total was matched by Kevin Cummings, who was also victorious in three races on Monday. Trainer Sam Smith matched Jim Clouser Jr.’s three win total as well, to finish as co-conditioning leader for the afternoon.

The WNY Trackmaster Series pacing finals will be held next Monday afternoon (Feb. 19) at 3 p.m. The TM79 division will have a $20,000 final and two consolations worth $10,500 and $9,000. The TM75 division will have a $17,000 final and two consolations worth $8,500 and $7,500. And the TM71 group features a $14,000 final and two consolations worth $7,500 and $6,500. The top eight money earners in each group make the final and the second consolation must realize seven entries to be a go.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 15) at 3 p.m. and that card will feature the fourth and final round of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for trotters. Also there will be a $2,273 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.

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 weekly $15,000 top-class events for both gaits were carded on Thursday afternoon (Feb. 8) at Batavia Downs and the winner of both races claimed their first victory of the year in impressive fashion.

The Open Handicap trot was won by City Of Hope (Kevin Cummngs) who turned a three-wide move into a 1-¼ length victory.

City Of Hope got away fifth as J-s Swanman (Dave McNeight III) took the lead and forced fellow leaver Big Box Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) into the two-hole on the strength of a 28.3 quarter. Positions remained unchanged to the half where Ricky B Sharp (Mike Baumeister) and City Of Hope initiated an outer flow that would eventually initiate two lead changes. First, Ricky B Sharp cleared J-s Swanman before three-quarters and crossed over as City Of Hope dropped into the pocket. These two stayed in line around the last turn and to the top of the stretch where Cummings tipped City Of Hope and trotted right by Ricky B Sharp under a line drive to win in 1:57.2.

A 14-time winner in 2023 who earned $149,382, City Of Hope ($8.10) got his first win of the new year for owners Philip Hale and David Dewhurst, who also trains the winner.

Then in the Open Handicap pace, Umberto (Dave McNeight III) capitalized from a perfect trip to win in a romp.

Umberto eased into the garden spot as Avion Seelster (John Cummings Jr.) flew to the front. After getting to the half in :57.1 with no challenges, Ideal Artillery (Drew Monti) and Alta Engen A (Kevin Cummings) tried to push the issue heading into the second circuit. However Cummings Jr. hit the gas with Avion Seelster and a :28 flat third quarter squelched those attempts from the rear, leaving only the pocket-sitting Umberto with a legitimate shot. McNeight pulled Umberto in the final turn and rocked him to the lead around the fading leader. Then Umberto opened up a three length margin in deep stretch and was a wrapped-up winner in 1:53.4.

It was the first win of the year for Umberto ($15.80), but also the first win for his new connections, El Dorado Stables, who claimed him two weeks ago for trainer Dave McNeight Jr.

Drivers Mike Baumeister, John Cummings Jr., Kevin Cummings, Dave McNeight III, Jim McNeight Jr. and Jim Morrill Jr. all had two wins apiece while 13 different trainers each won one race on Thursday.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 12) at 3 p.m. and the card will feature the fourth round of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for pacers. There will also be a $1,852 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.

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 third leg of the Western New York Trackmaster series for pacers was featured at Batavia Downs on Monday afternoon (Feb. 5) and going in, there were three horses still undefeated in that competition. However by the end of the day, only one stayed perfect and that was Long Train Runnin, who won his third straight $9,000 Trackmaster 79 division.

Former western New York regular and Batavia Downs 2019 driving leader, Billy Davis Jr., made a visit to his old haunts to drive Long Train Runnin and got away fourth as Oreo Dream Xtreme (Jim Morrill Jr.) led to the half in 1:00.1. As the group rolled past that station, Davis pulled Long Train Runnin first-up in the breeze and advanced to the lead at three-quarters in 1:28.3. From there, Long Train Runnin opened up a 2-¾ length lead in the turn before bolting home under Davis wraps in 1:57.3.

Long Train Runnin ($3.30) is owned by Paige Usiak and William Emmons and is trained by Jim Clouser Jr.

Clouser and Emmons also teamed up to win with Proven Desire (1:57.1, $7.80) and Lanas Desire (1:56, $5.50), giving that connection a hat trick on Monday.

There was a two-for-one special in the day’s fifth race when Weekend Atnannies and Dry Ridge Ace finished in a dead heat.

Weekend Atnannies (Billy Davis Jr.) got away second behind Dancethebigdance N (John Cummings Jr.) who set a hot pace of :57.4 to the half. Anurka (Kevin Cummings) moved first-over from fifth and was followed by Dry Ridge Ace (Kyle Cummings) as they moved up the backstretch. Anurka took the lead with Dry Ridge Ace pacing right with him, while Weekend Atnannies was getting the shuffle in the last turn. At the top of the stretch, Anurka and Dry Ridge Ace were joined by Weekend Atnannies, who finally found racing room and was full of pace. The three drew closer to each other as they approached the wire that they eventually hit simultaneously. When the photo came back, Dry Ridge Ace and Weekend Atnannies could not be separated and finished in a dead heat while Anurka was only a neck behind.

Weekend Atnannies ($3.20) is owned by Benjamin Ortiz and trained by Joe Skowyra while Dry Ridge Ace ($15.80) is owned by Rock 01 Stable and is trained by Jerry Nugent Jr.

Despite the dead heat, the pick five combination of 3/7/7/3/1,4 still returned a healthy $1,019 for a 50-cent wager.

The other big winner on Monday was driver Kevin Cummings, who piloted five winners to lead all other reinsmen. Cummings scored with Treasurethosechips (1:58.3, $31.60), All About Lynx (1:57.4, $5.90), Gallery Opening (1:59.3, $9.30), Howmacs Hank (1:58, $4.50) and Dogfight (1:56.2, $5.80). With those victories, Cummings jumped into third place in the dash win competition for the meet with 16 wins and now sits behind Jim Morrill Jr. (22) and Brett Beckwith (17).

There was a plethora of plump payoffs during Monday’s card, led by Beddanburg (Drew Monti) who turned a three-wide move from seventh at three-quarters into a three-quarter length win in 1:58.2. Beddanburg was sent off at 43-1 and returned $89.50 for the win. Also producing large returns was Denmark Seelster (1:57.3, $55.50), the aforementioned Treasurethosechips (1:58.3, $31.60), Fade To Gold (1:59.2, $25.20) and A Game Changer (1:56.2, $16.80).

Trainer Sam Smith matched Clouser’s three training wins to finish the day as the conditioning co-leader.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 8) at 3 p.m. and the card will feature the third round of the Western New York Trackmaster series for trotters. Also, there will be a $949 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.

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 — Steady rain and an off track threw a curveball at bettors at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 1) as many favorites failed to fire allowing some bountiful payoffs to prevail. That included both featured races, where photos were needed to decide the winners.

In the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace, despite having post seven, Primo Uomo (Jim McNeight Jr.) went gate to wire to win after an exciting stretch drive.

Primo Uomo was sent to the front and paced unchallenged through quarters of :27.2, :57 and 1:25.4. Halfway through the last turn, the tripped-out The Bird Dance N (Brett Beckwith) pulled to advance and that left Ideal Artillery (Drew Monti) a path to dip into the passing lane. As the horses headed for home, Primo Uomo paced down the center of the lane, flanked by Ideal Artillery and The Bird Dance N, and held both off all the way to the wire to win by a head in 1:55.2.

Overlooked at 7-1, Primo Uomo returned $17.60 for owners Chris Lawton and Dale Lawton. David Dewhurst trains the winner.

Then in the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot, Credit List (Kyle Cummings) was similarly released at 9-1 and paid a premium for those who backed him.

Credit List got away third and watched as E Street (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Big Box Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) engaged in a slugfest. After leaving side by side, E Street took the lead, but Big Box Hanover settled in the breeze and matched strides through fractions of :28.1, :58 and 1:28.3. As the pair passed that last station, Big Box Hanover folded as Special Prosecutor (Kevin Cummings) and I Got The Looks (Dan Yetman) tipped three-wide around him. In the final bend and under siege again by Special Prosecutor, E Street continued his valiant grind and took his lead into the stretch. When they straightened out, Credit List found room in the passing lane while I Got The Looks was flying on the outside. All three had a shot coming to the wire, but Credit List took the shortest route and won by a mere nose in 1:59.4.

Credit List ($21.80) is owned by Linda Dellheim and trained by Kevin Reynolds Jr.

Brett Beckwith, Jim Morrill Jr. and Kyle Cummings all had three driving wins while Shawn McDonough and David Russo both scored two training victories.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 5) at 3 p.m. and the card will feature the third round of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for pacers. Also there will be a $526 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 15th race.

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 — For the fourth time in only six days of live racing in 2024, Batavia Downs set a new one day, all-source record handle while under the ownership of Western Regional Off Track Betting on Monday (Jan. 29). Bettors pushed $515,078 through the windows to top the short-lived old record of $509,180 which was set only one week ago.

The handle reflects that Batavia’s loyal wagering patrons turned out in force again to bet the second round of the Western New York Trackmaster Series that had evenly matched fields and yielded outcomes many didn’t anticipate, with price horses giving chalk bettors agita while sending speculators home with a jovial disposition.

The top class, $9,000 Trackmaster 79 division produced two large payouts after come-from-behind efforts were put in by both.

First, Dogfight (Kevin Cummings) got away sixth at 25-1 and remained there to the half that was cut by Remember The Beach (Jim Morrill Jr.). At that station, Cummings pulled Dogfight third-over with cover and then swung three-deep into the last turn. At the top of the stretch, Lana’s Desire (Dave McNeight III) took the lead from Remember The Beach, but Dogfight quickly supplanted Lana’s Desire in deep stretch to win by 1-¼ lengths in 1:57.1.

It was the first win of the year for Dogfight ($52.00) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.

Then later, I’ll Take The Bet (Drew Monti) also got away sixth as Sleeping Single (Jim McNeight Jr.) and Carrythetorchman (Dave McNeight III) traded blows and leads from the half to the top of the stretch. It was there that Monti steered I’ll Take The Bet into the passing lane, found clear road and bolted to the line to win by a neck in 1:57.4.

Similarly, it was the first win of the year as well for I’ll Take The Bet ($38.80) and owner Justina Ohol. Mike Ohol conditions the winner.

Other upsets on the card included Rockn’ With T (1:59.1, $49.90), Always A Fiji (2:00.1, $31.40), Odds On Cheddar (1:58.1, $25.00) and Jimmy CR (1:59.1, $18.40).

Nine of the night’s participating horsemen scored doubles during the proceedings. Drivers Brett Beckwith, Drew Monti, Jim Morrill Jr., Kevin Cummings and Kyle Cummings joined trainers Sam Smith, Jim Rothfuss, Shawn McDonough and Chris Petrelli in claiming two wins each on Monday.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 1) at 3 p.m. and will feature the second round of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for trotters along with a $15,000 Open I for both gaits.

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 — Brett Beckwith, who ended the 2023 season as the seventh winningest driver in North America, is rolling again in 2024 and strutted his stuff at Batavia Downs on Thursday afternoon (Jan. 25) by winning five races on the card. “Brett The Jet” won with Why Tomorrow Ray (1:56.1, $2.80), Rosey Time (1:56.3, $4.40), One Night Fury (2:02.1, $9.40), Rock A Honey (1:58, $25.80) and Silver Buckeye (2:04, $6.40). Beckwith also scored three seconds and two thirds during the card, giving him a .524 UDR for the session.

Thursday’s card had a triple feature on the track as a $15,000 Open Handicap for fillies and mares, trotters and male pacers were all held over a sloppy track amid heavy fog as a January thaw was in full effect.

The distaff pace was won by Way Too Sweet (Jim Morrill Jr.) who sat second behind A Black Diamond (Kevin Cummings) until the top of the final turn. There, Morrill tipped the mare three-deep around Mcnatural L (Dave Mcneight III) and thundered down the center of lane to win by a length in 1:58.4.

Way Too Sweet ($3.50), who was a six-time winner last year, got her first victory of 2024 for owners George Tackley and Wendy Storrier. The mare is trained by Andy Gardner.

The top trot went to Special Prosecutor (Kevin Cummings) who led the field to the quarter in :28.4 before watching Esa (Jim Morrill Jr.) brush from third to take control in turn two. Special Prosecutor then sat chilly in the garden spot through the second circuit until the top of the stretch, where he tipped and ran down the leader to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:58.1.

It was the first win in three 2024 tries for Special Prosecutor ($10.80) who is owned by Philip Hale and David Dewhurst, who also trains the gelding.

Then in the Open pace, Sounds Good (Billy Dobson) was sent off at 40-1 and got away seventh, as Better Take It (Kevin Cummings) and Rock N Roll Runa A (Larry Stalbaum) traded leads to the half. At that station, Twin B Tuffenuff (Brett Beckwith) pulled first-over to engage the leader and Sounds Good followed right behind with his cover. Rock N Roll Runa A held a clear lead heading into the final bend, but the field bunched at the top of the lane with Sounds Good widest of all. Dobson rocked and knocked Sounds Good all the way to the wire and was the best by a neck in a four horse photo, stopping the clock in 1:56.1.

Sounds Good ($82.00) is owned by Michael Sergi and Sam Sergi and was the second training win for Andy Gardner.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 29) at 3 p.m. and will feature the second round of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for pacers.

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 track was fast for the Monday afternoon (Jan. 22) card at Batavia Downs, and so was the pace at which money flowed through the windows from all outlets as the track handled $509,180, setting a new all-time one-day betting record on live racing at the track and marked the first time ever that the Downs handled in excess of one-half million dollars while under the ownership of Western Regional Off Track Betting.

This is the third time this meet – that has only raced four days so far – that the track has set a new standard for handle. The high water mark on Monday came in the fifth race where $69,298 was bet on that single event.

Don Hoover, Director of Live Racing at Batavia Downs, said “This is definitely historic for the track, something that has never been done before. And it speaks volumes for the competitive racing our horses and their connections put on the track every race day. Our customers recognize that and want to bet on it and we are grateful to be in this situation. It’s a total team effort to make these races a success and everyone associated with the track shares in this achievement.”

Monday also marked the beginning of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for pacers, an event that was responsible for setting betting marks during the 2023 winter meet. These races were once again very exciting on Monday but saw two drivers win nine of the 15 carded events.

Jim Morrill Jr. won five races during the afternoon, four of which were from his regular connections, trainer Sam Smith and owner Mike Torcello. Morrill scored with Road Map (1:57, $2.50), Mister J R (1:57.3, $2.60), Stonebridge Hypnos (1:59, $2.40) and Authentic Hanover (1:59.1, $9.00). His fifth win was behind Mississippi Rabbit (1:58, $3.20) who is owned by William Mac Millan and trained by Joe Skowyra.

Brett Beckwith was right behind Morrill in the win column as he registered a grand slam of his own. He won with Surfers Paradise (1:58.2, $8.60), Weekend Atnannies (1:58.1, $3.90) and Thatmomentinlife (1:57.3, $7.80) who were all trained by Mark McDonough, and also with Long Train Runnin (1:57, $2.70) who was trained by Jim Clouser Jr.

When Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 25) at 3 p.m. there will be a $532 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 in the 15th race. Thursday will also host the first round of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for trotters.

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 — As a result of the crippling winter storm western New York has experienced over the past 48 hours and the expected continuation of snowfall and dangerous road conditions through tonight, Batavia Downs has canceled live racing for Monday (Jan. 15) out of an abundance of caution for the safety of the horses, horsemen and woman and fans.

Live racing will resume as scheduled on Thursday (Jan. 18) at 3 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — A sloppy track combined with heavy snow that started to fall after the third race provided some messy going at Batavia Downs on Thursday afternoon (Jan.11), but it didn’t take away from competitive racing and several very close finishes.

The features were a pair of $15,000 Open I Handicap races that were written for each gait.

First in the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot, despite coming up only a neck short in his first start in the top class at Batavia last week, Comeonover Hanover was dismissed by the betting public at 9-1 and made them pay after making a late rush to victory.

In the day’s 14th race, driver Brett Beckwith made a three-wide move in the last turn with All About Lynx and caught the front-running Examiner Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) at the wire to win in 1:59 and blow up the tote board at 53-1. All About Lynx returned $109 for the win and sparked a 7-4-5-2 superfecta that returned the handsome sum of $3,253.80 for a 20-cent wager.

Comeonover Hanover ($20.60) is owned by Perry Elkins and trained by Andy Gardiner.

Then later in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace, Lanjo Lee took no prisoners and could not be caught as he easily put away the competition in the stretch.

Lanjo Lee (Kyle Cummings) took the lead and cut quarters of :28.2 and :58.2 before Alta Engen A (Jim Morrill Jr.) pulled first-over from third. As they paced up the backside on the second circuit, Alta Engen A tried hard but could not get alongside Lanjo Lee and by three-quarters, his challenge had ended. This left Lanjo Lee two lengths ahead of the pocket-sitting Dontholdanythinbak (Keith Kash Jr.) and looking very much like a winner. When they straightened for home, Lanjo Lee bolted for the line under a line drive and won by 1-¾ lengths in 1:55.2..

Lanjo Lee ($8.40) is owned by Gordon Swift and trained by Jeff Sorenson.

In the day’s 14th race, driver Brett Beckwith made a three-wide move in the last turn with All About Lynx and caught the front-running Examiner Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) at the wire to win in 1:59 and blow up the tote board at 53-1. All About Lynx returned $109 for the win and sparked a 7-4-5-2 superfecta that returned the handsome sum of $16,269 for a $1 wager.

Drew Monti and Billy Dobson both scored driving hat tricks on Thursday while the day’s top trainer Chris Petrelli sent two from his stable to the winner’s enclosure for pictures.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 15) at 3 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