Batavia, NY – Western New York native, driver Kyle Swift, left his base of operations at Saratoga Raceway to visit home just long enough to grab the winner’s share of the purse in his four driving wins at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Oct. 29) night.
Swift’s main victory came in the $8,000 conditioned pace sitting behind Pro Beach, who scored his eighth win of the year.
Pro Beach left from post 6 and made a slow climb to the top and cleared right before the :28.2 quarter. But just as soon as he did, Moved Bythe Spirit (driven by Joe Chindano Jr.) came right back from second to nudge to the front heading into turn two. Moved Bythe Spirit reached the half in :58.1 with Pro Beach on his back, and by the time this pair reached three-quarters, they broke away from the field and were five lengths ahead in a two-horse tussle at the top of the stretch. That’s where Pro Beach tipped off the pylons and out-paced Moved Bythe Spirit by 2-1/4 lengths at the light to win in 1:56.
It was the second straight win for the upset-minded Pro Beach ($18.34), who is owned by P T Stable and trained by Sheena Cohen.
Swift completed his four-bagger with Stonecold Cruiser (1:56.2, $6.84), Andrews Ideal (1:57.3, $11.88) and Play Rock (1:56.2, $21.52).
Another horse that strung wins on Thursday was International Love (Dave McNeight III), who won the $8,000 conditioned trot. International Love commanded the fractions from the start, posting quarters of :29.1, 1:00.1 and 1:30.3 with Bluemoon Glide (John Cummings Jr.), Threefiftytwo (Andy Shetler) and Brookview Darius (Kyle Swift) giving chase heading into the last turn. But International Love took her one-length lead into the stretch and extended it to two at the line, where she won in 1:59.3.
It was the second straight win and ninth of the season for International Love ($4.44), who is owned by Jack and Maria Rice. Maria Rice trains the winner.
Sheena Cohen (who trained two of Swift’s winners) and Cassie Russo led all conditioners on Thursday with two wins apiece.
Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 31) at 5 p.m. (EDT) and there will be a $27,788 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta wager 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 (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab. And you can watch all the races live as they happen for free on the Batavia Downs YouTube page.