from Batavia Downs Media Relations

Batavia, NY — Possible stars of the future in the sport of harness racing will be on display when Batavia Downs Casino features the Rising Stars Pace on Monday afternoon, Columbus Day (Oct. 8).

Five aspiring reinsmen with either a matinee or qualifying license will head behind the starting gate to compete in a special non-wagering event that will be contested between the third and fourth race on the 12-race holiday program. First race post time is 1:15 p.m.

Here’s a look at the field of “Rising Stars.”

Following the footsteps of his dad Darrin Monti, who competed in a similar event at Buffalo Raceway back in 1982, is 18-year-old Drew Monti. Monti is a graduate of Canisius High School and is currently attending Canisius College as a pre-vet student. The third generation horseman is the grandson of longtime Western New York conditioner Carl Monti and former Western New York trainer/driver Don Zich. Monti, the most accomplished reinsman in the field, has competed at the Fairs and has been driving regularly in qualifying races. He starts from post three.

Female drivers Jami Chatt and Brittney Ohol will score from posts one and two, respectively.

The 23-year-old Chatt, a graduate of Oakfield-Alabama High School and Suny Fredonia, where she graduated with a degree in childhood education, is the daughter of Cherie Haslip-Chatt, a former driver on the Western New York circuit and granddaughter of Fred Haslip, a very successful trainer/driver who raced at Batavia Downs and Buffalo Raceway from 1965 until semi-retiring in 2004.

Ohol, a 2011 graduate of Lockport High School, is currently attending Medaille College as a fulltime student enrolled in veterinary medicine. She currently trains a four-horse stable. Her boyfriend, Dave McNeight III, received the Rising Star award from the Upstate NY chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association last December and her grandfather is longtime horseman Michael Ohol. She has also driven at the Fairs.

Jake Baumeister, a 2008 graduate of Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School is also a third generation horseman as his grandfather Ronald and father Mike have both applied their trade in Western New York. The 22-year-old has worked for three years as a blacksmith. He’ll start from post four.

Rounding out the field is the youngest participant, 15-year-old Jon Mays. The Williamsville East High School 10th grader hails from a family of Western New York horsemen. His father Terry and uncles Richie and Frank have been active on the Western New York circuit for many years. He is also the grandson of the late Frank Mays, Sr. Mays has driven in a matinee race at the Fairs. He one day hopes to follow his family into the business and become a trainer/driver.