The third leg of the Western New York Trackmaster series for pacers took place on Monday afternoon at Batavia Downs, captivating racing fans. Among the contenders, three horses had maintained an impeccable record throughout the competition. However, as the dust settled on the racetrack, only one horse emerged undefeated – Long Train Runnin, securing a remarkable third consecutive victory in the highly anticipated $9,000 Trackmaster 79 division.
Former driving leader at Batavia Downs in 2019, Billy Davis Jr., made a triumphant return to his old stomping grounds to steer Long Train Runnin towards glory. Positioned fourth at the starting gate, Davis patiently bided his time as Oreo Dream Xtreme, guided by Jim Morrill Jr., dictated the pace, clocking in at an impressive 1:00.1 for the first half-mile. Approaching the three-quarters mark in 1:28.3, Davis made his move, propelling Long Train Runnin to the forefront. The colt surged ahead, creating a substantial 2-3/4 length lead around the final turn before effortlessly crossing the finish line in 1:57.3, leaving the competition in awe.
Long Train Runnin, owned by Paige Usiak and William Emmons, underwent meticulous training under the guidance of Jim Clouser Jr., who prepared the horse for this remarkable achievement. Adding to their triumph, the Clouser-Emmons partnership also celebrated victories with Proven Desire (1:57.1, $7.80) and Lanas Desire (1:56, $5.50), securing a well-deserved hat trick on this memorable day.
The fifth race of the event provided a thrilling spectacle as Weekend Atnannies and Dry Ridge Ace crossed the finish line in perfect synchronization, resulting in a captivating dead heat. Displaying exceptional talent, Weekend Atnannies, steered by the skilled Billy Davis Jr., settled into second place behind the frontrunner, Dancethebigdance N, under the guidance of John Cummings Jr. Dancethebigdance N set a blistering pace of :57.4 to the half-mile mark. Sensing an opportunity, Kevin Cummings urged 7-year-old mare Anurka to make a move from fifth position, followed closely by Kyle Cummings on Dry Ridge Ace. As the horses charged up the backstretch, Anurka surged ahead, with Dry Ridge Ace keeping pace. Meanwhile, Weekend Atnannies encountered some traffic, but with unfaltering determination, the horse found an opening as they entered the home stretch. Bursting with untapped energy, Weekend Atnannies accelerated, swiftly closing the gap between the leading trio.
The thrilling climax unfolded as the three remarkable contenders approached the finish line, crossing it simultaneously. The photo finish examination left stewards with an impossible task as they declared the race a dead heat, with Dry Ridge Ace and Weekend Atnannies inseparable, while Anurka trailed closely behind, mere inches away from the leaders.
Weekend Atnannies, owned by Benjamin Ortiz and expertly trained by Joe Skowyra, shared the honors with Dry Ridge Ace, owned by Rock 01 Stable and skillfully trained by Jerry Nugent Jr. This electrifying finish only added to the excitement of the day, leaving spectators in awe. Even more impressive, the pick five combination of 3/7/7/3/1,4 rewarded astute bettors with a substantial payout of $1,019 for a mere 50-cent wager, defying the odds.
Driver Kevin Cummings showcased his exceptional skill and horsemanship, steering five winners to victory, surpassing his fellow reinsmen. Cummings emerged triumphant with Treasurethosechips (1:58.3, $31.60), All About Lynx (1:57.4, $5.90), Gallery Opening (1:59.3, $9.30), Howmacs Hank (1:58, $4.50), and Dogfight (1:56.2, $5.80). With this stellar performance, Cummings soared to third place in the dash win competition for the meet, amassing a total of 16 wins. He now finds himself in the company of esteemed drivers Jim Morrill Jr. (22 wins) and Brett Beckwith (17 wins), setting the stage for a captivating rivalry.
Monday's racing card produced a plethora of generous payouts, with Beddanburg, guided by Drew Monti, executing a remarkable three-wide move from the seventh position at three-quarters, clinching a heart-stopping three-quarter length victory in 1:58.2. Beddanburg, a longshot at 43-1 odds, rewarded astute bettors with a staggering $89.50 for a winning wager. Denmark Seelster (1:57.3, $55.50), Treasurethosechips (1:58.3, $31.60), Fade To Gold (1:59.2, $25.20), and A Game Changer (1:56.2, $16.80) also left their mark, offering handsome returns to those who had faith in their abilities.
Trainer Sam Smith mirrored Jim Clouser's exceptional training prowess, securing three victories and concluding the day as the co-leader in conditioning achievements, leaving a lasting impression on the memorable racing card.
Racing enthusiasts can look forward to an exhilarating continuation of live racing at Batavia Downs on Thursday, February 8, starting at 3 p.m. The upcoming card promises another thrilling installment of the Western New York Trackmaster series for trotters. Additionally, anticipation builds as a sizable $949 carryover awaits participants in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta, adding an extra layer of excitement to the 13th race.