By Tim Bojarski for Batavia Downs
(Photos courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery)
Batavia, NY — Wins were coming fast and furious for three top horsemen at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (July 29) and some impressive performances were put in by the horses they scored with.
Driver Kevin Cummings had a natural grand slam, winning races six, seven, eight and nine that included both $15,000 Open I features.
In the top trot, Cummings drove Special Prosecutor from post four and traded leads with Dewanslittlelorie (Joe Chindano Jr.) to the quarter before settling in second behind that one at the quarter. Special Prosecutor took the pocket trip to three-quarters and made his move in the last turn. Cummings tipped Special Prosecutor on Dewanslittlelorie and grabbed the front at the top of the stretch. From there he trotted strong through the lane and held of a fast-closing Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) to win by one-half length in 1:57.1.
The first start since June 3rd for Special Prosecutor ($7.80) turned into his fifth win of the year for owners Philip Hale and David Dewhurst, who also trains the winner.
Then Cummings took the feature pace with The Longest Yard who finished in impressive style. After getting away six off the gate, Cummings followed early cover from Idealthecards (Kyle Cummings) who was out and rolling past the three-eighths. The top four maintained their positions around turn two and until halfway up the backstretch where The Longest Yard swung three-wide as they approached three-quarters and cleared before they got to the final bend. Cummings then let The Longest Yard roll into the stretch and he pulled away by 4-½ lengths in 1:53.2.
It was the second win of the year for The Longest Yard ($7.90) who was recently acquired by current owner Mike Torcello. Sam Smith was the winning trainer.
Cummings completed his consecutive four-bagger with Johnny Boy (1:58.4, $9.10) and Stranger Things (1:55.2, $2.60).
Torcello and Smith saw a total of four from their stable win during the evening. Besides The Longest Yard they added Johnny Boy, Sportskeeper (1:55.2, $3.00) and Ys Lotus (1:53.4, $5.40).
Jim Morrill Jr. also had a hot hand on the lines as he drove four winners on the card as well. He had pictures taken with Da Boogie Man (1:58, $4.40), Northern Sportsman (1:56, $3.70) and the afformentioned Sportskeeper and Ys Lotus.
When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Aug. 1) at 6 p.m. there will be a $432 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race. Tuesday also features the New York Sire Stakes and Excelsior 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings who will be on hand to compete for a total purse of $166,300.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.