Saratoga Raceway-based horsemen have been making their presence felt at Batavia Downs since the 2025 winter meet began and Monday (Jan. 13) was no exception after driver Brett Beckwith and trainers Jaymes Mcassey and Gary Levine all posted noteworthy performances.
Author: by Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Batavia Downs mares were Ambushed in feature race
Fresh off a solid 1:52.3 win at Harrah’s Philadelphia the week before Christmas, Ambushed shipped-in to Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 6) for her 2025 debut and scored a second consecutive win in the featured $13,000 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares, the race that headlined the opening card of the winter meet at the Genesee County oval.
Ronnie Wrenn to Receive the Winner’s Circle Award
Columbus, OH – Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., one of the Buckeye state’s best reinsmen, has been selected as the Winner’s Circle Award recipient for his outstanding 2024 season by the Ohio Chapter of…
District 9 membership meeting recap
On Saturday (Dec. 28), Chairperson Don Marean along with Directors Lenny Calderone, Steve O’Toole and Dr. Tim Powers conducted the annual District 9 membership meeting at the Hilton Inn in Auburn, ME.
Tyler Angus to receive Peter Haughton Memorial Award
Tyler Angus, 22, a native of Macedonia, Ohio, will be presented with the Peter Haughton Memorial Award Award by the members of the Ohio Chapter of the United State Harness Writers Association. The award is presented to a young Ohioan who is an “up-and-coming” star among harness horsemen.
Joviality S injured; Retired from racing
Superstar mare Joviality (5, Chapter Seven–Pasithea Face), $2,368,244 – 1:50.2 – 27 wins in 47 starts, has suffered an injury and will not be able to compete in the 2025 Grand Prix d’Amérique at Hippodrôme Vincennes in Paris in January.
Platinum Proposal completes DSBF series sweep
Platinum Proposal recovered from a mid-move break in stride to reel in 3-5 favorite and fellow dual preliminary winner Going Platinum for a 1:57.3 win in Monday’s (Dec. 16) $110,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) series championship for 3-year-old trotting fillies at Bally’s Dover.
Bally’s Dover draw schedule advisory
Horsepeople who race at Bally’s Dover are advised of an amended draw schedule for the week of racing beginning Monday, Dec. 30, as the track will take their customary winter break Dec. 20-29.
Meadows Monday Memo
Here is this week’s Meadows Monday Memo
Blue Chip Farms Announces 2025 Stud Fees
Blue Chip Farms is increasingly excited about their evolving stallion lineup as already well-supported Captain Albano p,1:48.1 ($1,564,253) and Winner’s Bet 4,1:49.3 ($1,326,821) join the ranks in 2025. Chapter Seven’s book is, once again, full and closed. Back Of The Neck 1:51 ($1,463,733), whose oldest foals are 2025 yearlings; and the proven Crazy Wow 1:51.1 ($2,532,143) round out Blue Chip’s diverse New York trotting lineup. On the pacing side, Cannibal p,1:48.1 ($785,040) stands his second year after a full book in 2024. Also, Messenger victor, American Courage p,4,1:47.4 ($838,152) begins his third year at Blue Chip. Finally, Shadow Play’s p,4,1:47.4 ($1,549,881) gorgeous first New York-eligible foals hit the ring next in 2025.