by Todd Haight, promotional marketing specialist, Batavia Downs Casino

Batavia, NY — Saturday night’s Batavia Downs Casino program is one of the biggest nights in Downs history with a total of seven New York Sire Stakes on the card worth more than $275,000. Four events for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings and three for 2-year-old trotting fillies headline the 12-race program. First race post time is 6:40 p.m.

The freshman trotting sensation Jezzy puts her perfect nine-for-nine record on the line in the sixth race of the evening, remarkable considering she almost died due to an allergic reaction to antibiotics when she was a yearling. Ray Schnittker trains and drives the Credit Winner-Ladylind filly that was bred by Little E LLC.

“She got very sick on us and almost didn’t make it,” Schnittker said. “We got a late start with her but once we got her going she’s been the perfect horse. Very easy to drive and with plenty of speed.”

Jezzy will make only two more starts this season.

“Because of her sickness we didn’t stake her to anything so she’s done (for the season) after the Night of Champions (to be held next Saturday night). Hopefully I’ll win them both,” the former Western New York native commented.

Racing Secretary Joe Zambito has installed Jezzy as the 1-5 morning line favorite. Show wagering will not be offered. The other NYSS filly trots go as races three and 11.

A who’s who of NYSS trotting colts will do battle in races one, two, eight and 10.

The current points leader for next Saturday’s Yonkers Night of Champions finals, Blacktuxwhitesocks, goes in the 10th race. Jeff Gregory, recently inducted into the Upstate Harness Writers Hall of Fame, will be in town to drive for trainer Howie Okusko and owner Purple Haze Stable. The Credit Winner-True Blue colt sports eight wins this season with earnings of $180,864.

Two races earlier Aruba Vacation and Celebrity Bluechip, currently two-three in the point standings, figure to fight it out for top honors.

Racing programs can be downloaded free of charge at www.bataviadownscasino.com. Simply click on race info.