by Todd Haight, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — There were two $20,000 New York Bred Late Closers held on Friday night (September 28) at Batavia Downs Gaming and neither winner was much of a surprise.

Race five was the filly division of the Late Closer Finals for 2 year-old trotters and it was also the return of new track record holder Princess Maddie.

Princess Maddie, a daughter of Dilbert Hanover, became the fastest filly ever to win at the Downs a week ago when she trotted to victory in 2:00.4. A heavy rain shower in Western New York an hour before post time all but eliminated a repeat of that performance.

Making her move from the pocket as the field headed up to the opening quarter by top New York Sires Stakes reinsman Jim Morrill, Jr., Princess Maddie basically cruised around the racetrack, setting fractions of :29.1, :59.3 and 1:31, finishing the mile in 2:02.2. She raced over a track labeled ‘good,’ but that had clearly deteriorated as the evening went on.

She widened to a seven length victory with Morrill never taking the whip off his shoulder. In the winner’s circle Morrill said “she is a Sire Stake caliber filly and could be a good one next year.”

Owned by William Van Bramer and Harold Smith, Princess Maddie notched her seventh win of the season and raised her 2007 bankroll to over $77,000. Princess Maddie returned $2.10 to win.

Jeff Deslandes is the trainer of Princess Maddie and he also trained the second place finisher, Seaway Sami Sue (Keith Kash, Jr.). Adore Eleanor (Kevin Cummings) ended up third.

Icy Cream takes his Late Closer division

Three races later the colts and geldings got their turn in the $20,000 finals and this one wasn’t decided until deep stretch.

Montanajamesbond, with the driving Monroe County Sheriff Keith Ball, tipped off cover rounding the final turn and were moving like a winner, but it was Icy Cream and Jim Morrill, Jr. who ended up getting their picture taken in the winner’s circle.

Trapped behind early leader Radio Max (John Cummings, Jr.), a first-over Crownprince Volo (Brian Cross), and a three-wide Montanajamesbond, Morrill and Icy Cream were able to split horses down the stretch and out trot “Montanajames” to the wire by a neck, in a mile of 2:02.2.

Don Wiest is the owner/trainer of Icy Cream, who is a son of Sir Taurus. Icy Cream’s victory was his third of the season and he raised his 2007 earnings to over $35,000. Going off as the second choice in the wagering, Icy Cream returned $5.60 to win.

Elvis Blue Chip, with Anthony Mondi driving, completed the trifecta.

Not only did Jim Morrill sweep both Late Closer finals, but he also won three other races on the Friday night program to give him a five-bagger for the evening.

No More Gold victorious

The Inquisitive Stables and Melinda Kash’s talented trotter No More Gold N was victorious in the $9,000 Open Handicap.

Finding the two-hole as the field of eight classy side-wheelers came by the grandstand the first time proved to be the winning move.

No More Gold and trainer/driver Keith Kash, Jr. were able to bide their time in the pocket and angle to the passing lane in the stretch to be a very confident three-quarter length winner, trotting in 1:59.2.

The win was the eighth this season for No More Gold and it pushed his seasonal earnings to just under $70,000. Congratulations go out to Keith and Melinda Kash, who were celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary on Friday night.

Michael Scores headlines featured Open Pace

Popular locally owned pacer Michael Scores should be a prohibitive favorite in Saturday night’s featured $9,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Carded as race eight, this will be Michael’s final prep before next week’s $30,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace, a race he won and set a new track record (1:52.1) in last year. Racing fans are reminded first race post time is now 7:05 p.m.

In addition to live harness racing, Batavia Downs Gaming offers the best of simulcast action, Wednesday through Sunday, fine food in the clubhouse and video gaming. The gaming floor, which features 591 video gaming terminals, is open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight from Sunday through Thursday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information visit www.bataviadownsgaming.com.