from the Batavia Downs Media Department
Batavia, NY — Top New York bred pacers and trotters were on display as the 65th season of live harness racing got underway in front of a large crowd on Monday night (July 25) at Batavia Downs Casino.
New York Sire Stakes races dominated the 12-race program with five divisions carded for the 3-year-old trotting fillies and four divisions of 3-year-old colt and geldings pacers. On hand in the winner’s circle making special blanket presentations were Tim Gordon, Executive Director of the New York Sire Stakes, along with Betty Holt from the New York Harness Horse Breeders.
Jezzy was a 1:59.3 winner in her NYSS split on Monday.
On the trotting side the fabulous filly Jezzy raised her record to a perfect eight for eight this season and 18 for 19 lifetime when she cruised to victory in the sixth race of the evening for trainer-driver Ray Schnittker. Leaving from post seven Jezzy put up all the numbers enroute to a 5-1/2 length score in 1:59.3.
The Credit Winner-Ladylind sophomore has earned $613,530 lifetime for the ownership group of Schnittker, Jerry Silva, Jeff Gural and Ted Gewertz. She returned $2.50 to win her $27,390 division.
“It was an easy mile for her,” Schnittker said. “We have the Hambletonian Oaks eliminations next week and we didn’t want to take too much out of her. She’s the second best horse I’ve ever had.”
Other NYSS 3-year-old filly trotting winners were: Miss Sue V (Credit Winner-Sunday Yankee), driver Brian Mattison, trainer Paul Kelley, 1:59.2; Conwayslassie (Conway Hall-Yankee Starling), Jim Morrill, Jr., Richard Johnson, 2:00.2; Some Girls (Conway Hall-Emotional Rescue), Stephane Bouchard, Gates Brunet, 1:58.4; and Go Go Dancer (Credit Winner-Princess Gladiator), Brian Mattison, Paul Kelley, 2:00.3.
Paul White photos
Art Z scored in 1:52.3 for driver Brett Miller.
By far the most impressive winner of the $35,633 divisions of 3-year-old pacing colts was the Artiscape-Celebrity Ball gelding Art Z.
Art Z, scoring from the rail, got away in the pocket behind 2-year-old Downs track record holder Flipper Z. Heading to three-quarters driver Brett Miller pulled the Jordon Rubin trainee and they quickly made the top as the field of seven headed for home. Down the lane under Miller’s urging Art Z drew off to win by 8-1/4 lengths, hitting the wire in 1:52.3, just two-fifths of a second off the 3-year-old Downs record and a full second faster then the other three divisions.
Unraced at two, Art Z ($3.50) notched the sixth win of his career for owner Richard Lombardo. His seasonal earnings are at $71,241.
Reinsman Brett Miller, who was making his first ever Batavia Downs start, said, “Jordon has done a great job with him, when I asked him he exploded out of the hole and I just drove him out to the wire.”
Other NYSS 3-year-old colt pacing winners were: Major Way (Art Major-Feminine), Brandon Simpson, Linda Toscano, 1:57.1; JK Camelot (Art Major-Blue Ocean), Jim Morrill, Jr., Linda Toscano, 1:55.3; and Mojo Terror (Western Terror-Winning Mojo), Jim Morrill, Jr., Chris Oakes, 1:54.1.
Night two of the summer meet takes place on Wednesday night (July 27). Post time is 6:40 p.m. America’s oldest lighted harness track is currently racing every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. The first matinee of the season takes place on August 28.