By Tim Bojarski for Batavia Downs
(Photos courtesy of Wendy J Lowery)
Batavia, NY — Just in case anyone was wondering, Jim Morrill Jr. made it perfectly clear why he is the leading driver at Batavia Downs after putting on a clinic in the sulky Saturday night (Aug. 6). Morrill won six of the 13 races on the card while finishing second and third twice each as well, to end the night with a stellar .648 universal driver rating.
Morrill won both halves of the Daily Double with Amrcanbootscoota A (1:55.2, $2.30) and Finkle Is Einhorn (1:56.2, $13.00), then continued with Ohio Prince (1:55.1, $5.00) and finished his run with a natural hat trick in races 10, 11 and 12 with Drunkonaplane (1:54.2, $4.10), Harry Hoo N (1:56.2, $8.60) and Bali Beach (1:56.3, $3.50).
The win with Drunkonaplane came in the $14,000 Open II Handicap pace where Morrill sent his charge down the road in fractions of :26.3, :56.1 and 1:24.4. Off the turn he sprinted for home and closed out the deal by a length ahead of a wall of five horses to claim Drunkonaplane’s seventh win of the year. Vogel & Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing own the Maria Rice trained gelding.
The one race Morrill didn’t win was the featured $15,000 Open I Handicap pace which went to Stop Action, who scored his second straight top class victory of the Batavia meet.
Stop Action (Kevin Cummings) got away last as Art Scene (Jim Morrill Jr.) went for the lead and was pushed three deep around the first turn heading to the quarter in :26.3. As soon as he settled, Just Plain Loco (Dave McNeight III) pulled first-over from fourth and took the lead from Art Scene in front of the stands. But immediately after he crossed over, Ideal Artillery (Drew Monti) was advancing on the outside towards the leader and there was still a half to go.
Just Plain Loco maintained a length advantage over Art Scene and Ideal Artillery heading up the backstretch and to three-quarters in 1:24.1. At that station, Stop Action was still fifth, but Cummings was revving him up. As the race proceeded into the last turn, Stop Action was tipped three-wide but still three lengths off the lead at the top of the stretch. Cummings kept him highly motivated heading down the lane and Stop Action flew by everyone to win by ½ length in 1:53.2.
It was the 10th win of the year for Stop Action ($8.10) who has now earned $89,581 in 2022 for owner Super Mile. Angelo Nappo trains the winner.
Kevin Cummings ended the night with a hat trick in the bike and trainer Shawn McDonough also claimed three wins for his stable.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 7) with post time at 1:15 p.m. Sunday features $2 Sahlen hot dogs, 12-ounce draft beer and soft drinks, all available at the Homestretch Grill from 12 noon until 4 p.m. Also, there is a carry-over of $857 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 wager in the last race on Sunday. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the “Live Racing” tab.