by Todd Haight, marketing coordinator, Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Week five of the $10,000 All-Star Drivers Challenge took place at Batavia Downs Gaming on Wednesday night, October 8, with Canada’s Jody Jamieson in town to help raise money for charity and to take a swing at the $10,000 top prize. He heads back over the Peace Bridge as the new leader.

Needing 34 points to tie Howard Parker, the 31-year-old Jamieson was able to do one better, finishing with 35. All participating drivers start from post one and move out one post position during the eight-race competition. All drives are drawn at random.

Currently the leading driver on the Woodbine/Mohawk circuit, Jamieson’s drives raised $700 for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. Over $9,000 has been raised since the challenge began on September 10.

Stephane Bouchard gets his turn at the $10,000 winner take all prize next Wednesday.

The opening round of the Diamond Sparkler Pacing Series was contested Wednesday night with Prime Ideal and the well named Gift Of Rain coming home victorious.

Prime Ideal and Ray Fisher, Jr. were able to wear down the front running Northerner and Jody Jamieson in the final strides to take the first division in 2:01 over a very sloppy track.

Gift Of Rain (Tom Agosti), the perfect hunch play of the evening, outfinished Pronk (Jody Jamieson) in 2:01.4 to upset at 10-1 in the second division.

The Late Closing series is named after the very popular Western New York pacer that was a top New York Sire Stakes performer and then went on to be an Open pacer.

Leg two action continues next Wednesday night.

The distaffers get their chance in the Happy Lady Pacing Series with two divisions scheduled on Friday night, October 10. The series is named after the great filly that began her career in Western New York. Post time on Friday is 7:05 p.m.