Batavia, NY — After winning two of the three preliminary legs and being claimed twice during the proceedings, J B Gram saved his best mile of the year for Wednesday (Oct. 28) as he won the $22,500 final of the Octoberfest Claiming Series at Batavia Downs.
J B Gram (Kevin Cummings) took the first lead of the race passing the eighth pole, but Skyline Blue Chip (Drew Monti) was not content with a pocket trip and came out to gain the front passing the quarter in :28.4. Once in control, Skyline Blue Chip reached the half in :57.4 before being confronted by Motive Hanover (Joe Chindano Jr.) as they rolled up the backstretch.
Motive Hanover, under a highly animated drive, drew alongside J B Gram during the :28 third panel but was not able to reach Skyline Blue Chip as they entered the last turn. Halfway through that bend, Motive Hanover began to fade, leaving J B Gram the only threat for Skyline Blue Chip going home. When the race entered the stretch, J B Gram slid into the passing lane, and the race was on. With both drivers bouncing in the bike, J B Gram incrementally gained ground on Skyline Blue Chip all the way to the line and pushed clear by a mere head to win in 1:55, tying his seasonal mark.
It was the fifth win of the year for J B Gram ($5.82), who is owned by Ben Ortiz and trained by Shawn McDonough.
Earlier, in the $10,000 fillies and mares Class A pace, Lady Blue Jay (John Cummings Jr.) grabbed the lead from post 1 and took no prisoners from there. Lady Blue Jay cut quarters of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:26.2 to three-quarters, where she was under a full-blown attack from Windsun Charlotte (Dave McNeight III), Face The Shadows (Brad Galliers) and Tres Chic Bluechip (Brett MacDonald). But Lady Blue Jay was the toughest of the bunch as she prevailed by a half length in 1:56.1 in a race that saw seven horses cross the line within 2 lengths of each other.
It was a seasonal best win by Lady Blue Jay ($4.08) for owner Fred Yellen. Megan Wilson trains the winner.
Brett MacDonald led all drivers on Wednesday with three wins while trainers Tammy Cummings, Shawn McDonough and Luis Ramirez all sent two from their barn to the winner’s circle.
Live racing at Batavia Downs will resume on Thursday (Oct. 29) at 5 p.m. There will be a $26,567 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5, in the 12th race.
Free full-card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia Downs can always be downloaded at the track’s website under the “Live Racing” tab.