by Jeff Rizzo, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — The $1 million stakes season continues this Friday, August 8, at Batavia Downs Gaming. The field of New York bred Late Closers for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers promises to be excellent. Late closers will race in three divisions, the first, sixth, and ninth races on the card.

Carrying a purse of $10,800, the first stakes race and the first race on the card is a very competitive field, with many of the colts and geldings having multiple wins this season. The morning line favorite at 6-5 is Golden Receiver, a gelding by Village Jove, who comes off an impressive win by 20 lengths in 1:52.4 at Vernon on July 29. Sean McAleese will drive.

Following closely at 5-1 is Samardi Shuttle, a gelding by Space Shuttle, with Jim McNeight. On July 18, he won a Late Closer race at Yonkers in an impressive time of 1:58.1.

Also among the field, defending a Late Closer win from Yonkers on July 18 as well, is Here Comes Kris, a colt by Village Jove, with John Cummings in the driver’s seat.

The second Late Closer of the evening is the sixth race, with a purse of 10,800. Coming in at 3-1 is Steamship Round with Jim McNeight in the sulky. He is a colt by Riverboat King, who finished a respectable second behind fellow competitor Winbak Prince at the Late Closers at Yonkers on July 18.

The favorite, and main competition for Steamship Round, is Winbak Prince, a gelding also by Riverboat King. Winbak Price won easily in his last Late Closer appearance by three lengths at Yonkers in 1:55.3. John Cummings picks up the lines.

Also among the field is a regular to the Batavia/Buffalo circuit, Kashability, who comes in at 4-1. Hall of Famer Clint Galbraith gets the drive.

The ninth race on the card, the third and final stakes race of the evening, has a purse of $10,700. The favorite coming into Friday’s race is New Release, a gelding by Pro Bono Best, at 5-2. While finishing a disappointing fifth in his last Late Closer appearance, he seems ready to roll with Ray Fisher, the Downs’ leading driver so far this 62nd race season.

Coming in at 3-1 is Equal Space, a colt by Space Shuttle. In his last Late Closer appearance at Yonkers on July 18, Equal Space had a slight edge over Power Pro to pull off the victory in 1:58.2. Ron Beback, Jr. is driving.

In close behind at 4-1 is Power Pro, a gelding by Pro Bono Best, with Kevin Cummings in control. Power Pro looks to overtake Equal Space and New Release after suffering a defeat in the last Late Closer.

The feature race of the evening is the seventh race on the card, an Open Trot with a purse of $9,000. The three favorites, Jack Sparrow, Speed Pilot, and BJ’s King, are looking to pose in the winner’s circle photo. Last week’s winner was Speed Pilot, over Jack Sparrow, by just a quarter-length. Robby McNeight will once again steer Speed Pilot while Jim McNeight will pilot Jack Sparrow. BJ’s King is making his debut this season at the Downs. He was very tough at Buffalo with four wins on the year and looks to upset the two favorites with Ron Beback, Jr. driving.

For more information please visit www.bataviadownsgaming.com.