Batavia, NY — The 2024 winter meet kicked off at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 4), and the wagering success the track realized last year picked up right where it left off as a new single-card handle record was set during opening day. Betting from all sources totaled $390,922, easily topping the old record of $348,205, set last February.

“We had great weather for the opener, and featured a very competitive group of horses on the track, making the card very bettable — and that was a recipe for success. The track was in great shape, as was our facility to host our live crowd. It was a total team effort, and I thank everyone for their support,” said Don Hoover, director of live racing at Batavia Downs.

The track was definitely fast, and was that evident in the co-featured $15,000 Open I Handicap Pace, where Twin B Tuffenuff ($7.70) flexed his muscle on the point to turn in the fastest mile of the incipient meet.

Jim Morrill Jr. sent Twin B Tuffenuff to the front, and he was quickly joined by Lanjo Lee (Kyle Cummings), who was then parked out for the rest of the mile. The two paced side-by-side through quarters of :28.1, :55.3 and 1:24.2 when Lanjo Lee finally tired, leaving Twin B Tuffenuff to open up around the last turn. Twin B Tuffenuff pulled away by three lengths in the stretch before Morrill wrapped him up and crossed the line in 1:54.2.

Twin B Tuffenuff shrugged off a stern challenge from Lanjo Lee in the Thursday Open I Handicap Pace at Batavia Downs, giving trainer John Hallett half of a double on the opening-day card. Wendy J. Lowery photo.

Twin B Tuffenuff is owned by Patrick Morris and trained by John Hallett.

Hallett and Morrill also won the fastest trot of the day with Esa ($2.30), who schooled a full field of mid-level conditioners by pulling away to a 11-1/4-length victory in 1:55.4.

Morrill ended up taking a six-pack home after he won four more races, with Friday Night Blues (1:55.3, $4.60), Dark Matter (1:57, $4.20), Blogmaster (1:57, $7.80) and Timeto Communicate (1:56.2, $6.10).

The co-featured $15,000 Open I Trot was won by Big Box Hanover (Larry Stalbaum), who led from the gate to three-quarters, at which point Comeonover Hanover (Billy Dobson) gained from fifth to be even with the leader heading into the final bend. The two then trotted tumultuously around that last turn and all the way to the line, where Big Box Hanover gained a neck advantage and won in 1:56.3.

Big Box Hanover ($2.60) is owned by his driver Stalbaum, who also trains the trotter.

Live racing at Batavia Downs resumes on Monday (Jan. 8) at 3 p.m. Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website.