Author: by Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Rocknroll Shelli had one start at Batavia Downs the final week of meet last December, where interference may have caused her a more favorable placing. Now after hitting the board in two consecutive outings at the Meadowlands, the 5-year-old mare returned to Genesee County to claim her first win of 2023 in the $13,000 Open I Distaff Handicap Pace over a rain-soaked track at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 12).

After being used hard for the lead in a torrid three-wide battle during the first three-eighths of the mile in Thursday’s (Jan. 12) $30,000 Mares Open Handicap at Miami Valley on Thursday, Rose Run Vision emerged victorious, sealing a 20-1 upset.

Twelve-year-old trotter JL Cruze proved on Tuesday (Jan. 10) at Bally’s Dover that you’re never too old to have fun, scoring in 1:54 in his second consecutive start in the $18,000 Winners Over/Select Trot.

Now 10 years old, millionaire trotter Dayson returned to the racing wars following an eight-month layoff with a convincing 1:54.1 triumph in Miami Valley’s top conditioned trot on Tuesday (Jan. 10).

Penzance Hanover stormed home from the pocket to spring an 8-1 upset in the $27,500 Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace on a foggy and rainy Thursday night (Jan. 5) at Bally’s Dover.

Despite drawing the outermost post position, Classicist and driver Chris Page cruised to a second straight triumph, winning Thursday’s (Jan. 5) $30,000 Mares Open at Miami Valley in 1:53.

Aaron Merriman locked up his sixth straight dash title at MGM Northfield Park in 2022, winning 569 races in 2,281 starts over the Flying Turns, while Cory Kreiser locked up the training title with 247 victories, 36 more than 2021 leading trainer Sam Schillaci (211).