Batavia, NY – Two top class events were featured at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 15) night and despite the extremely inclement weather conditions, both winners turned in very impressive performances.
The features were run in successive races and both after a lengthy delay for heavy rain.
The $12,500 Open Handicap trot went first and El Toro Loco scored his 10th win of the year.
Kevin Cummings sent El Toro Loco right to the front and pushed him hard to the quarter in :27.4. With Crazy Ritz (Jim McNeight Jr.) sitting in the pocket, El Toro Loco surfed to the half in :59 and three-quarters in 1:28.1 without any pushback from the rear. The trotters rounded the last bend and entered the stretch where Crazy Ritz tried to catch the leader after a perfect trip. But the leader had other ideas and El Toro Loco would not be beaten and crossed the line clear by three-quarters of a length in 1:58.
El Toro Loco ($5.92) is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.
Next up was the $12,500 Open Handicap pace where Stranger Things found room late and scored big at 9-1.
Stranger Things (Shawn McDonough) got away fourth and stayed in that position for over seven-eighths of the mile as I Ain’t No Mack (Kevin Cummings) cut quarters of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:25.1 with Davey Day Trader (Dave McNeight III) following a loose second. With the top four horses in a bunch, Cummings was chasing I Ain’t No Mack vehemently through the last turn and into the stretch but when they straightened for home, Davey Day Trader drifted out enough behind him where Stranger Things had room to enter the passing lane. McDonough set him on a straight path and Stranger Things bolted to the line and beat them both by a neck in 1:54.2.
It was the 11th win of the year for Stranger Things ($20.94), who is owned by Kathy Schoeffel and James Reuther and trained by Angelo Nappo.
Joe Chindano Jr. was the most productive horseman on the track Saturday as he accounted for a total of five wins — three driving and two training.
There was no winner in the Pick-5 wager in the day’s first race and that left a $1,901 carryover for that same bet on Wednesday (Nov. 19). As a result, the management of Batavia Downs has announced there will be a $7,500 guaranteed pool for the Pick-5 wager when live racing resumes at The Downs on Wednesday, in conjunction with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. That also means that free full past performance program forms for those five races can be downloaded for free (once available) on the USTA website (ustrotting.com) under the Handicapping tab.
Post time for Wednesday’s card is 6 p.m.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at The Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab. Then you can watch all the races live as they happen for free on the Batavia Downs YouTube page.