from Batavia Downs Media Relations

Batavia, NY — The track record for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers was equaled during Wednesday night’s (August 31) $120,168 New York Sires Stake action at Batavia Downs Casino.

Paul White photo

Forever Just equaled the track record of 1:54.4 in winning his NYSS division.

In the sixth race, Forever Just equaled Flipper J’s 1:54.4 record set last year when he defeated Steelhead Hanover (Jim Morrill, Jr.) by 1-1/4 lengths. Dynamic Youth (Chris Page) wound up third. Jason Bartlett was in town to drive for trainer Linda Toscano.

Bartlett sent the Bettor’s Delight-Forever Cam colt to the front and they put up numbers of :28.1, :58.2 and 1:27.1. A :27.3 final stanza ensured the victory and tied the record.

The win was the fifth of the season for Forever Just ($3.50), who has not been worse than second in seven lifetime starts, and it raised his earnings to $92,614. Stake Your Claim Stables and Fred Wallace own the new track record holder.

Union Man Hanover ($9.40) picked a nice spot to break his maiden when he started off the NYSS action. Leaving from the rail he briefly relinquished the lead to Twin B Hollister (Jim Morrill, Jr.), moved back to front at the three-eighths pole, and then held off a game Twin B Hollister to score by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.1. Greg Merton picked up the catch driver for trainer Linda Toscano. Raymond J (Jason Bartlett), also trained by Toscano, took the show spot.

Union Man Hanover, an Artiscape-Up Front Rose colt, is owned by Stake Your Claim Stables, Bay’s Stable and D.J. Baer. He boosted his career earnings to $38,458.

Sir Melo’s Z Tam ($13.00) won the final NYSS division of the evening and survived a judges’ inquiry. With trainer/driver Patrick Lachance in the bike Sir Melo’s Z Tam defeated favored Glass Prince (Jason Bartlett) by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:55.2. Piece Of Art Work (Jim Morrill, Jr.) was third.

This was the maiden win for the son of American Ideal-Sara Sue who is owned by Lachance along with Ira Rosenblum and M & M Harness Racing.

Racing fans are reminded of the Labor Day weekend schedule with racing on Friday and Saturday nights. Post time is 6:40 p.m. On Labor Day the Downs will feature a doubleheader with afternoon post time set for 1:15 p.m. and evening at the regular time of 6:40 p.m. For more information visit www.bataviadownscasino.com.