Batavia, NY — Two $12,500 Open class races were carded at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 22) night with each winner turning in quick performances.
The Open Handicap trot went first and Crazy Ritz matched his seasonal best effort in victory.
Jim McNeight Jr. put Crazy Ritz on the point and got to the half unopposed in :58.3. As the race was making its way to three-quarters, Valentine Express (Joe Chindano Jr.) pulled from third and drew near the leader as they trotted around the last turn. When the group entered the stretch, Valentine Express continued to gain on Crazy Ritz, along with the pocket sitting El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings), but Crazy Ritz finished what he started and hung on by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.3, matching his best clocking of the year.
Crazy Ritz ($6.24) is owned by James Palladino and trained by Jeff Martin.
Then in the Open Handicap pace, Livonjaxnqueens turned a first-over move into an easy win.
Livonjaxnqueens (Denny Bucceri) got away fourth as Lip Reader A (Drew Monti) and Davey Day Trader (Joe Chindano Jr.) traded leads to the quarter. Once finally on top, Davey Day Trader got to the half in :57.2 before facing a challenge from Livonjaxnqueens, who had pulled first-over at three-eighths and got even with the leader headed up the backstretch. Livonjaxnqueens took the lead at three-quarters and when he crossed-over to the pylons, swelled up and took off to a 2-1/2 length lead by the head of the stretch. And from there, Livonjaxnqueens bolted home on top by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:54.2.
Livonjaxnqueens ($16.18) is owned by Howard Ouriel and trained by Jim Rothfuss.
Driver Ray Fisher Jr. and trainer Sheena Cohen pulled off a rare tag-team triple on Saturday by winning with Venier Hanover (1:55.3, $2.96), Toreador GB (1:55.3, $24.96) and Itsallaboutfaith N (1:56, $4.70).
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 26) with post time at 6:00 p.m.
Batavia Downs switches to a Wednesday-Saturday schedule starting on Wednesday (Nov. 26) and running through Saturday (Dec. 20).
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at The Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab. Then you can watch all the races live as they happen for free on the Batavia Downs YouTube page.