from Batavia Downs Media Relations

Batavia, NY — Megan Wilson’s Mc Ryan Michael paced to an authoritative score to capture the featured $8,100 Open Pace as Batavia Downs Casino concluded its 65th season of live harness racing on Saturday night (Dec. 3).

Paul White photo

Mc Ryan Michael and John Cummings, Jr. cruised to victory on closing night of the 2011 season.

Mc Ryan Michael, with John Cummings, Jr., fired out of post five and were on top before an eighth of a mile. Once on the lead, Mc Ryan Michael strolled to opening fractions of :29 and :58.3.

The 6-year-old son of Mannart Howard then put up a sizzling :28.1 third stanza and sealed the deal coming home in :28.4 to record his fourth win of the season in 1:55.3. The victory raised Mc Ryan Michael’s lifetime earnings to $201,027. He returned $6.60 to win. A first over Bettor’s Reward (Dave McNeight III) finished three lengths behind in second while the pocket sitting Adelia’s Prince (Keith Kash, Jr.) held on for third.

Top trainer honors ended up in a dead heat as Alex Giuliani and John Mungillo both finished with 44 wins. Jack Flanigen was the dash leading driver with 124 wins, defeating John Cummings who finished with 101.

They were honored along with Jim Mulcahy, Good Guy award; Dave McNeight III, Rising Star award; Sherri Holliday, Western New York Trainer of the Year; Aracache Hanover, Special Recognition award; and Mach Ten, 2011 Batavia Downs Horse of the Year and Horse of the Year in WNY by Tim Bojarski, president of the Upstate New York Chapter of USHWA who was trackside along with delegate Sam Pendolino during the “Night of Distinction.”

Richard Post won the Pick-6 contest. Among the 502 patrons that participated, he was the only one that was able to select four winners and that was good enough to take home the top prize of $1,000. The Pick-6 contest was co-sponsored by the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association.

Pending New York State Racing and Wagering Board approval, America’s oldest lighted harness track will reopen on July 23, 2012.

Batavia Downs Casino is open year-round for simulcast wagering, fine dining and video gaming. The gaming floor is open from 9 a.m. until 4 a.m. daily. For more information visit www.bataviadownscasino.com.