by Brian J. Mazurek, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — It didn’t look like the weather was going to cooperate with any attempts the 3-year-old filly trotters were going to have in breaking the track record in the New York Sire Stakes at Batavia Downs Saturday night (Sept. 21). But someone forgot to tell Bouncing Bax.

Despite rainy conditions during the day, the Batavia Downs strip was listed as ‘good’ but it was Bouncing Bax (Credit Winner-Bax Machine) who was ‘fast’ as she tied the track record of 1:57.2 set by Cowgirl Hall in 2012 in winning her $42,679 division of the Sire Stakes. It was her fourth consecutive victory and also set a lifetime mark.

Royal Malinda raced to a huge early lead and hung on to win her $41,879 leg in 1:58.3 while Palm Beach Chic rallied in the stretch to capture her $41,879 division in 1:59.2.

Paul White photo

Bouncing Bax tied the track record for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Saturday night at Batavia Downs.

But it was Bouncing Bax ($2.90) who stole the spotlight. She contently trotted along in third place until midway down the backstretch the final time. That’s when driver Jim Morrill, Jr. pulled out and went first over and easily trotted away from the field, beating the pace-setting Alphadoodle (Rick Zeron) by two lengths. Local favorite Barn Babe (John Cummings, Jr.) finished in third.

With the victory, Bouncing Bax has now earned $198,732 for the Harbor Racing Stable this season and $255,964 lifetime. Jim Raymer trained the winner.

In the opener, Royal Malinda raced to a seven length lead to the half and was throttled down by driver-trainer Dan Daley in the lane to notch a 2-1/4 length victory over Isabella Gal (Aaron Byron). Dubai Angel took the show spot for driver Roman Lopez. Heavily-favored Lola De Vie, who trailed by 10 lengths at the half, broke stride there and finished a distant fourth.

It was the fourth win in 16 appearances for Royal Malinda (RC Royalty-Linda MacDream) and pushed her seasonal earnings to $114,916 for owners Ann-Mari Daley, Richard Lombardo and the Purple Haze Stables.

The final division saw Kinda Crazy Linda (Jim Marohn, Jr.) play ‘catch me if you can’ with the field of six and Palm Beach Chic (Marcus Johansson) did just that. Kinda Crazy Linda set fractions of :29, :59.3 and 1:29.1, but a :29.2 last quarter by Palm Beach Chic ($9.20) was more than enough to catch the front runner and score the two length victory. Cassa’s Image (Fern Paquet, Jr.) took the show position.

With her fourth win on the campaign, Palm Beach Chic has now earned $112,982 on the year and $155,934 for owners Jeff Gregory and William Richardson.

In the $12,800 Excelsior Series for the 3-year-old trotting fillies, See You At Office ($2.80) had the fastest time with a 2:01 with Morrill in the bike. Cash Now ($6.90) took a leg for John Cummings, Jr. in 2:01.2 while Morosita Bi ($5.30) posted a 2:02.1 victory for reinsman Brian Cross.

Sportsman ($6.70) went gate-to-wire in 1:55.3 for Cummings and captured the $8,500 Open Pace, beating Western Alumni (Morrill) by 3-1/2 lengths.