After a prolonged absence, winter made its presence felt once again in western New York, creating a challenging environment for the Thursday afternoon (Feb. 15) races at Batavia Downs.
The race card featured the three top weekly classes, showcasing the exceptional skills of the leading drivers at the meet.
Kicking off the program was the highly anticipated $18,919 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares, where Imprincessgemma A (Brett Beckwith) emerged victorious, claiming her first win of the year. Starting from post five, Imprincessgemma A dictated the pace with fractions of :28.1, :58.3, and 1:28, while Ball Diamond (Keith Kash Jr.) closely trailed in the pocket. As they entered the home stretch, Ball Diamond made a valiant effort to challenge Imprincessgemma A, but she maintained her lead, crossing the finish line 1-1/4 lengths ahead in 1:57.3.
This win marked Imprincessgemma A's 43rd career triumph, elevating her lifetime earnings to an impressive $601,489. Imprincessgemma A, owned by Elite Harness Racing and trained by Shawn McDonough, was one of the four wins secured by the skilled driver Brett Beckwith during the eventful race card. Beckwith also celebrated victories with Stars And Stones (2:00.3), Angelo J Fra (1:58.1), and Silver Buckeye (2:02). Currently, Beckwith holds a commendable second position in the driver standings, further solidifying his prowess.
Shifting the focus to the $20,270 Open I Handicap for male pacers, Umberto (Dave McNeight III) continued his winning streak, triumphing for the second time in a row with an exceptional display of talent. Starting from mid-pack, post five, Umberto swiftly took command of the race in the first turn, setting the pace for the rest of the field. With remarkable consistency, Umberto maintained his lead, clocking swift fractions of :27.3, :57.2, and 1:25.1. As they approached the finish line, McNeight eased off the pressure, allowing Umberto to stride confidently to a 2-1/4 length victory in an impressive time of 1:54.
Umberto, owned by El Dorado Stables and trained by Dave McNeight Jr., showcased his exceptional abilities yet again. Finally, in the highly anticipated $20,270 Open I Handicap trot, E Street (driven by Jim Morrill Jr.) delivered an unexpected victory from an advantageous inside post position, surprising both fans and competitors alike. Taking advantage of the cosy pocket position, E Street patiently trailed Big Box Hanover (driven by Larry Stalbaum), who took the lead before the quarter-mile mark. The positions remained unchanged until the halfway point and up the backstretch. It was at this stage that Special Prosecutor (driven by Drew Monti) made a bold move, challenging the leaders and joining the intense battle at three-quarters, reached in a swift time of 1:30 flat. Big Box Hanover valiantly responded to the challenge, pulling away with a one-length lead as they entered the home stretch. However, in a thrilling turn of events, E Street capitalised on the passing lane, swiftly overtaking the frontrunner within the space of three pylons and triumphantly crossing the finish line with a one-length advantage in 1:59.3.
E Street's victory, owned by Elite Harness Racing and trained by Rachelle Mungillo, completed an extraordinary driving grand slam for Jim Morrill Jr., who had already showcased his remarkable skills with wins aboard P C Foreign Affair (2:02), Just A Wrangler (1:55.4), and Mayweather Hanover (1:59.1). Trainers Taylor Fritz and Andy Torre also experienced great success on this eventful Thursday, securing double victories and adding to the excitement and competitive spirit at Batavia Downs.