NYSS Late Closers to Batavia Downs on Friday, August 20
Thursday, 19 August 2010 13:33
Batavia, NY - After a track record performance on Wednesday night in the New York Sire Stakes, more freshman colt and gelding trotters will race in New York bred Late Closers on Friday, August 20, at Batavia Downs Casino.
The Late Closers will take place in races 1, 2, and 10 on Friday evening’s card with a 6:40 p.m. post time. There will also be two non-betting Late Closer contests that have post times of 6:00 and 6:10, respectively. The purse for each stakes race will be in excess of $13,000.
The favorite in the first race on the card and first stakes race of the evening is anyone’s guess. Many among the field have competed at the upper levels of the New York Sire Stakes but have not fared well. The 5-2 morning line favorite is Marshmallow Man (Malabar Man-Alpine Teasure) with Corey Braden at the lines. This young colt will be looking to prove himself for trainer Jeffrey Long in his first stakes contest but fared well with a second place finish in a race last Friday at Tioga.
On paper, the most talented of the young colts is 3-1 second choice Hellogottagobuhbye (Dream Vacation-Ty’s Triumph) with Gareth Dowse in the sulky. This colt’s luck has been tried in NYSS contests at Tioga, Buffalo, and the State Fair at Vernon and he is the only horse among the field to finish in the money in such a race. Jim Morrill, Jr. drove him to a second place finish from the eight hole at Tioga on August 1 in a commendable 2:01.4. Hellogottagobuhbye is trained Ray Schnittker.
The second stakes race is also wide open but features the best horses of the evening. At 5-2, the morning line favorite is Lofty Dreams (Dream Vacation-Dusty Girl) reined by Jack Flanigen. This colt has been racing exclusively in the county fair series, finishing in the money in nine of 10 tries, including six wins. He also qualified well at Batavia last Wednesday in 2:03.4. Steven Pratt is the trainer.
In the five hole is Brian Cross and 6-1 Small Bills (Cash Hall-Mini Shuttle). On the morning line this colt is not getting much respect, but on paper he is having a fine season including two shows in NYSS events at Tioga and Buffalo. This Dan Daley trained 2-year-old has earned $9,457, second only to Lofty Dreams.
Another addition of the Schnittker and Dowse duo for this Friday evening from the two hole is 3-1 You Go Now (Cash Hall-Just Lips). He has had three shots in NYSS races this season at Vernon, Tioga and Buffalo. You Go Now finished second in 2:07.1 at Buffalo, proving himself amongst the higher class, but had disappointing finishes at Vernon and Tioga.
The final talented 2-year-old trotting stakes event of the evening is the 10th race on the card and is composed primarily of frosh horses of the county fair circuits. The favorite at 5-2 is Royal Jester (Frisky Fighter-Royal Corner) with Michael Miller in the sulky.
Also among the field are NYSS veterans Peter Crossman (Cash Hall-Malhana Kaari) with Keith Ball and Serious George (Cash Hall-Distinctive) with Kevin Cummings. These veterans did not seem up to the task of the competitive NYSS circuit, failing to finish in the money, but look to be tough with the Late Closers.
Racing programs are always free of charge online at www.bataviadownscasino.com. Racing fans wishing to make a clubhouse reservation can call 585-343-3750.
By Jeff Rizzo, Marketing Intern, Batavia Downs
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