by Todd Haight, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Knowing that he simply ran out of real estate last week, driver Josh Marks, sitting behind You Bet Your Glass, made sure that didn’t happen again in the featured $8,500 Open I-II Handicap on Saturday night (November 10) at Batavia Downs Gaming.

Blasting out of the five hole heading to the quarter, Marks had You Bet Your Glass on top by the three-eighth pole and he put up all the numbers after that en route to a comfortable 1-3/4 length score, pacing the mile in 1:55.3.

You Bet Your Glass did have to hold off a serious challenge by the classy Life Sizzles and the razor sharp Pembroke Cushy at the three-quarters. Once he put those two rivals away he was clear to the wire. Life Sizzles with Joe Nassimos finished second while Pembroke Cushy with the new daddy, Keith Kash, Jr., held on for third. Keith and Melinda Kash had their first child last Monday.

The win for You Bet Your Glass was his seventh of the season and he raised his 2007 earnings to just under $50,000. Arnold Marks, who also co-owns with William Williams, Jr., does the training. Going off as the favorite, You Bet Your Glass returned $3.70 to win.

Longshot specialist strikes again and again and again

Known as the “Longshot Specialist,” driver Mike Baumeister was up to his old tricks all weekend long.

On Friday night, Baumeister scored with Debra Rossrucker’s Foxy Towners at odds of 18-1. On Saturday afternoon, Baumeister brought home Aquilas Star first at odds of 24-1, also for Deb Rossrucker, and on Saturday night, Baumeister guided Samurai Sam to victory at odds of 13-1 for owner Pohl Lander Farms.

Racing resumes on Friday night

Racing fans are reminded of this week’s schedule change. There will be no live racing on Wednesday night, November 14. Racing resumes on Friday night, November 16, with post time at 7:05 p.m.

There is only one Wednesday night left on the 2007 schedule and that is the night before Thanksgiving, November 21.

Saturday, November 17, will be the second of three scheduled day-night doubleheaders. Saturday afternoon post time is 1:15 p.m., while Saturday night post time is 7:05 p.m.

The other doubleheader remaining on the 2007 calendar is closing day, December 1.

The Pick-6 contest returns on Saturday afternoon, November 17. Sign up to play begins at 12:00 noon at players club. This week’s carryover jackpot is $2,500.